The right wrong number

Tim Green

A few year's back I was listening to a Norah Jones album, marvelling at the quality of the musicianship. I decided to check the sleeve notes - as we nerdy men do - and note the names of the sidemen. I soon realised many of them were players on albums I already owned by Cassandra Wilson and other jazzy artists.

One name was Marc Ribot, a fantastically original guitarist. I hadn't heard of him before, but soon discovered he was a collaborator with Tom Waits on many great albums. I spent a happy few hours googling him.

Then I went on holiday for two weeks.

When I returned I checked my answering machine. The 14th message was from Marc Ribot, calling a wrong number (mine) and telling someone called Alex he was in London doing a gig.

By this time, the gig had been and gone. He didn't leave his number, so I never got the chance to tell him. I wonder if he's reading this?