Two days before Chuck & Charley Morris (Lotus’ percussionist and his son) disappeared on Beaver Lake in Benton County Arkansas I had a nightmare. I was rolling over and over uncontrollably in the dream and it almost felt I was drowning. I woke up in a panic overwhelmed by how real that dream felt. Little did I know that shortly ahead my joy for music, specifically for Lotus would suffer a similar faith as in my nightmare.
I remember reading the announcement that the two had gone missing and my heart stopped and the surreal panic I felt during my nightmare earlier that week set in. I have been listening to Lotus since the early 2000’s and they have brought so much to my world since then. I felt an instantaneous strong connection to them, ever since I heard their song Wax on a promotional cd sampler I was given. My appreciation for Lotus grew more and more over the years. Especially since I was blessed as a photographer to work at their live shows and use my craft to become familiar with their work artistically, socially, and spiritually.
This connection grew even stronger with the addition of Tim Palmieri to the band in 2021. His addition resonated personally since I was very familiar with his music through his work with the Breakfast and later Kung Fu. I also had the honor of working with him as part of the local NJ/PA musical festival scene through events like Phanphest and Awesometown. One of my all-time favorite guitarists was now a member of my favorite band and the sky was the limit.
When Lotus began their 2023 winter tour, I was even more blessed to interview Mike Greenfield (drummer for Lotus). This conversation was so thrilling since I got the chance to get to know Mike and peel back the blossoms to understand the music, the anticipation of the upcoming tour, and the dynamic that Tim’s addition had brought since his arrival. This upcoming tour was poised to be Lotus’ time to shine and elevate to a new level of musical mastery and wonderment. Mike relayed to me the 8 hours rehearsal days that had gone into preparation for the winter tour and his excitement that this would be the first time the band would be playing back-to-back shows in such a long frequency and duration since their schedule since Tim joined the band had only been in short bursts up until this upcoming tour. I got to learn about the process that incorporated Tim into the fold and hear about the rapport and dynamic that had developed musically between him and Tim. Unfortunately, time for the interview ended and the one question I did not get to ask was about the rapport and dynamic between Mike, Tim, and Chuck Morris.
After the tour opener at Union Transfer in Philadelphia, PA on January 21, 2023, I was able to speak with Mike and told him about how everything we discussed played out during the show and that I wished I had had more time to ask him about playing with Chuck. He responded ask me next time. These words haunt me now. Little did I know then that the reflection I was looking for from Mike about playing with Chuck would later be revealed in his obituary statement about Chuck and his son Charley. Little did I know the true significance of the moment shared through the encore drum/percussion breakout solo by Mike and Chuck during the Union Transfer winter tour opening encore, Shimmer and Out. Tragedy forces me to reflect and because of how the impact of Chuck’s loss weighs on me I find myself even more connected to this incredible band and the incredible community that will keep Chuck alive forever.
Coping with loss and honoring their commitment to Chuck and his family, Lotus has recently performed 4 benefit concerts with all proceeds going to Chuck’s wife and his daughter. The first two took place in Denver, Colorado at the Fillmore Auditorium on April 21 & 22, 2023. East coast benefits included a May 5, 2023 performance at XL Live in Harrisburg, PA and a May 6. 2023 performance at the Capitol Theater in Port Chester, NY.
Set one at the Capitol Theater started with a punch. To honor Chuck, many guests close to Lotus played at all the benefits. Tonight’s guests right out of the gate included Eli Winderman, keyboards from Dopapod and Octave Cat (also featuring Jess Miller, bassist from Lotus), Steve Clemens, original drummer for Lotus, and Adrian Tramontano, the “energizer drummer” from bands like The Breakfast and Kung Fu. His presence on stage really drove home the importance of family and community as part of the healing process for me since he is a good friend and past band member of Tim Palmieri. This brotherhood on stage was uplifting and the first two songs Hammerstrike and Sift hit hard. Jeremy Schon, guitarist of Pigeons Playing Ping Pong then joined guest A. Tramontano on stage for Neon Tubes Pt.1> modular jam> Neon Tubes Pt. 2. These guests also performed Catacombs next. This was the whole time I was taking photos in the pit, and it was so hard to fight back emotion as the show shot off like a rocket.
The stage itself was lower than usual and this seemed to include the presence of the entire crowd more so since it was on the same level of the band. A reminder that we were all here together, band, fellow musicians, and fans collectively assembled to pay tribute to Chuck and his family. The guest roster shifted for a Time Dilates next featuring Rob Compa, guitarist from Dopapod and Jamie Doyle (percussionist) and then the set concluded with 128 with R. Compa and A. Tramontano.
Set two picked right up with Pluck> Spiritualized welcoming back E. Clemens and A.Tramontano. The Spiritualized was when the dam broke for me. Tears poured from my eyes as I missed Chuck. This song has always been the greatest connection to the divine that Lotus has to offer, and this version did not miss the mark. Coupled with light columns that ascended to the top of the towering proscenium arch his presence was felt. A stranger even found her way over to me as I wept offering a hug as if the universe was saying to me, “I understand, and it will be alright”. Next up was Did Fatt with S.Clemens > Mink & Shoes > Livingston Strom w/ J. Schon. Then most healing moment of the night occurred thanks to a drum/percussion breakout solo featuring A. Tramontano, J.Doyle and S.Clemens on percussions. The smile that radiated from Mike Greenfield at this time was inspiring. I flashed back to the end of the Union Transfer show in my mind, and I could feel his loss for Chuck. I also felt the power of music and doing what you love expressed by Greenie and I knew then that Chuck will always be with us. Maybe not in body, but in spirit. Lotus is Chuck and in that moment we all were too.
Despite the tragedy that brought us all together tonight, no matter what we would also be together. In that moment, I was eternally grateful for this band and this amazing community that is bonded to my soul. Set two concluded with Bellwether performed with the guest percussion trio. For the encore, Lotus concluded with a very fitting Sunrain (also with the guest percussionists). Fitting because the rain had come and brought the reality of loss, but from this storm the sun will rise, and the spirit of Chuck will live on inside each note forever.
Lotus at the Capitol Theater May 6, 2023
Set 1: I: Hammerstrike, Sift (Eli Winderman, Steve Clemens, Adrian Tramontano), Neon Tubes Pt. 1 (S. Clemens) > modular jam > Neon Tubes Pt. 2, Catacombs (A. Tramontano, Jeremy Schon), Time Dilates (Rob Compa, Jamie Doyle), 128 (R. Compa, A. Tramontano)
II: Pluck (E. Winderman, A. Tramontano) > Spiritualize (E. Winderman, A. Tramontano), Did Fatt (S. Clemens) > Mink & Shoes > Livingston Storm (J. Schon), Drums (A. Tramontano, J. Doyle, S.Clemens), Bellwether (J. Schon, S. Clemens, A. Tramontano)
E: Sunrain (R. Compa, S. Clemens, A. Tramontano)
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