Allegro Hearth Bakery Knows Music
We had a visitor to the house the other day, for coffee and cake. Except, problem. We didn't have any cake. So, I ran to the nearby bakery, Allegro, a nice neighborhood from scratch every day real old fashioned bakery, for some scones and macaroons. Okay, so it wasn't literally cake, but you get the point.
It is busy at Allegro, and I patiently wait my turn. "I'd like some bread, please." "How about some lemon bars?" Etc. Etc. As I stand there, studying the selection of breads and pastries behind the case, I begin to listen to the music that is playing over the store's speakers. It sounds pretty interesting, but I don't recognize it. Sounds kind of folk-rocky, and kind of exotic. But, unrecognizable. Hmm...nice, complex, multi-rhythmic.
And it is playing pretty loud. Hard to hear anyone's voices over the music.
"I'd like three scones and two macaroons, please," I say to the guy behind the counter, a young bearded hipster bakery guy. Pleasant looking. Friendly.
"Will that be all?" he responds. It is a little hard to hear him over the music. It is pretty loud in the bakery, but it sounds nice.
"Yes," I say, quite loudly, and then quickly add, "Well, actually, no, I would like one more thing. Can you tell me what we are listening to?"
"Art," he says.
At least that is what I can make out.
"Art? I ask. "You think the music is art? It does sound very creative."
"No, its Art, the band," he answers.
"Oh, Heart!" I laugh. I can't really hear him clearly. But, Heart? I associate Heart with 1970s radio friendly guitar rock. Canadian, I think. Sisters, Ann and Nancy Wilson. One is married to Cameron Crowe. That Heart. Not this. This sounds great. Have I missed out on what Heart is about. "Really!!" I am amazed. "What album? What song?"
"Oh, its on 'Little Queen', their second record. Its the last track on the second side. 'Go On Cry,' its called."
"Really," I say. I am just amazed. I HAVE that record at home. But I have never listened to it. "I have that record," I say. "I have never listened to it."
My new friend, the young bearded hipster bakery guy, is smiling. Laughing.
"Heart!" he exclaims. "They are awesome."
"You've made my day, " I tell him. "I'm going home to listen to that song."
And I do.
And it is awesome.
My KALX dj friend comments that he has been noticing that Heart is being rediscovered just now, popping up on various hipster blogs - "no really, listen to this again!" - and that yeah, they are awesome! Okay, now I want to listen.
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You are spot on about their musical selection. I stopped by a few weeks back and overheard a song that's been stuck in my head ever since. I wish I would have asked...the best I could tell was it was from the 60s-70s and the hook had something to do with living on the south side.
I love the atmosphere of the bakery--the delicious treats and the tasty grooves. Awesome spot.
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