“Last Night….”

Last night was a breezy and very chilly one in downtown Minneapolis, but we were at the Dakota Jazz Emporium for a truly wonderful American Roots Review, Larry Long and group celebrating songs of “freedom, freight trains and hope”.  We saw the first of two sets in this standalone program.  Anyone who follows Larry Long’s work would likely agree that that last night was a very special evening.

Larry Long and Roots Review at Dakota Jazz Club Minneapolis, January 3, 2025

Larry Long has a long and noteworthy history, summarized here.  I first met him in 2007.  My photo files suggest (photos of him which I took) that I’ve heard him sing at least nine times, which certainly doesn’t make me a groupie, but certainly I’ve experienced his music.

My most moving encounter was when he, I and our friend Ruhel Islam (GandhiMahal) visited Lynn Elling on his deathbed nine years ago in early February.  Lynn’s passion, the song “Last Night I Had the Strangest Dream”, performed most memorably by John Denver. Larry Long himself gave Lynn an in-person rendition with Lynn’s daughters in attendance.  Lynn passed on less than two weeks later, and I’m sure Larry’s singing was a special memory for his final days.

Larry Long with Lynn Elling Feb 3 2016

The local community knows Larry well for nearly 50 years.  If you’re not familiar with him, do check his website.

To check out John Denver and “Last Night I Had the Strangest Dream” go to AMillionCopies.info and watch the first few minutes of the film ‘Man’s Next Great Giant Leap”, starting at about the 3 minute mark.  The film was made in 1971 specifically for Minnesota Peacemaking initiative championed by Lynn Elling and others.

Larry performing at an anti-Iraq war rally in late August 2007.