There was nothing wrong with Springsteen's Boss-like qualities tonight.
Some poor oldster sitting next to me looked like he'd been railroaded into having to go, and said that he'd never seen Bruce apart from the Super Bowl performance, which had impressed him. At some point in the middle of the show, he turned to me and asked if he wrote his own material. But, repeatedly, the geezer turned to me agape and said "He's not taking a break! He just keeps going!" And it's true.
Although he jogs instead of sprints, and climbs instead of leaps, he's still all over the stage interacting with the band, the audience, and looks to be having a really good time up there. He played for about three full hours. One encore. Almost constant music. Amazing.
I put off seeing Sinatra until it was a certainty that his talent was gone, and then I didn't bother, and then he was dead. Do not let that happen if you've never seen Springsteen. It's mandatory!
Now the bad news: awful song selection. Poor continuity, lots of more recent songs that leave you bored (he stopped writing songs with interesting portions in them, and now they're simple monotonous backgrounds for his lyrics to sit on top of).
When he did the anthems (Born to Run, Thunder Road, Badlands) they seemed mandatory, and I projected onto him a sense of resentment that he couldn't move forward because the fans wanted the hits. However, songs like "Radio Nowhere" and "Lucky Day" are really not very good songs. If they were written by anyone else, they would've been ignored. But since it's The Boss...they're great! (Not really)
And did he play "Johnny 99" with every single band member making as much noise as possible, just to point out how his original, sparse, version was the proper one? I like to think so.
There was one moment that I found remarkable. Someone in the crowd handed him a sign saying "Growin Up" and Bruce acknowledged it into the mic, said "This is for you, San Jose" and then showed the card to the band members, counted it off, and played the tune. I hadn't seen the song on his warm-up set list, and the new band members stepped off stage while he played it, and the light show was simple - so I think he really did just play it on a whim. Marvelous.
So, it was a very good show, and I don't want to be to negative about it, because Bruce is still unquestionably The Boss and NO ONE puts on a show like he has. But I would've appreciated more songs from Darkness, and The River, or even Nebraska, and less of the ones that he's done recently that seem to drag and drone.
After all, it ain't no sin to be glad you're alive.
The show was the first show of a 5 gig, six day tour of Europe before returning to the states for a longer tour. Backed by her Band, slide/guitar/banjo player, guitar, drums, bass and backup vocalist, she took the stage on time and played a good 90 minute set with about a dozen songs, including Maybe Sparrow; Deep Red Bells; Hold On, Hold On; Star Witness; Furnace Room Lullaby; as well as songs from the new album Middle Cyclone. The songs were performed in traditional Neko style, with mind her blowing vocals and her band’s simple but well concerted musicianship. Lots of examples on You Tube and don’t forget to watch her live performance on Fab Channel Sunday evening the 22 of Feb. It will probably be archived should you miss it, so check back.
From my vantage point at the front left of the stage in front of the slide player (I wish I had noted the musicians’ names. Anyone? Anyone? Beuller?), I was close enough to reach out and touch the band. Of course that would have been weird, and I probably would have been kicked out….but there I was.
Most endearing was her rapport with the audience between songs. Between hoping that she doesn’t “f**k up the chords on the next song” from the new album, (which had not yet before been performed live), to commenting on all the “bare boobies around the hotel swimming pool” …”Lots and lots of BOOBIES! (squeal!) ” She also mentioned what a boring rock band they were. The bus drivers are always disappointed by the lack of groupies and the incessant Bob Newhart Reruns on the video.
There were a few technical problems during the show; the upright bass mic didn’t work, and one amplifier gave up the ghost towards the end. Between songs I mentioned to the slide player, who was right in front of me, “You know they have a different currency over here!” (meaning of course voltage). ”Yeah”, he responded, "you guys have the Euro now!!” That distracted Neko and he was chided for mingling with the audience (good naturedly, of course.)
They had set up their own equipment and at the end they had to pack it up on their own, which was awkward, since they couldn’t leave the stage after the last song, (there was no way out except through the crowd anyway), so after the second encore she said, “Since we can't leave the stage we’ll just turn our backs to you. Good night.” And that was it.
So check her tour schedule, and if she comes to your town go see her!
Here's Hold on Hold on from A&E with the same band members as Wednesday:
I'm having difficulty embedding my slide show, which you can see here. Sorry about the underexposed shots, the lighting was crappy. I'm adding the better shots as I PP them.....Enjoy!
Cool!!!
the sound mixer must have wondered what planet you came from with a comment like that.
The show was the first show of a 5 gig, six day tour of Europe before returning to the states for a longer tour. Backed by her Band, (guitarist Paul Rigby, bassist Tom V. Ray, vocalist Kelly Hogan, multi-instrumentalist Jon Rauhouse and drummer Barry Mirochnick), she took the stage on time and played a good 90 minute set with about a dozen songs, including Maybe Sparrow; Deep Red Bells; Hold On, Hold On; Star Witness; The Needle Has Landed; Furnace Room Lullaby; as well as songs from the new album Middle Cyclone. The songs were performed in traditional Neko style, with mind her blowing vocals and her band’s simple but well concerted musicianship. Lots of examples on You Tube and don’t forget to watch her live performance on Fab Channel Sunday evening the 22 of Feb. It will probably be archived should you miss it, so check back.
From my vantage point at the front left of the stage in front of the slide player, I was close enough to reach out and touch the band. Of course that would have been weird, and I probably would have been kicked out….but there I was.
Most endearing was her rapport with the audience between songs. Between hoping that she doesn’t “f**k up the chords on the next song” from the new album, (which had not yet before been performed live), to commenting on all the “bare boobies around the hotel swimming pool” …”Lots and lots of BOOBIES! (squeal!) ” She also mentioned what a boring rock band they were. The bus drivers are always disappointed by the lack of groupies and the incessant Bob Newhart Reruns on the video.
There were a few technical problems during the show; the upright bass mic didn’t work, and one amplifier gave up the ghost towards the end. Between songs I mentioned to the slide player, who was right in front of me, “You know they have a different currency over here!” (meaning of course voltage). ”Yeah”, he responded, "you guys have the Euro now!!” That distracted Neko and he was chided for fraternizing with the audience (good naturedly, of course.)
They had set up their own equipment and at the end they had to pack it up on their own, which was awkward, since they couldn’t leave the stage after the last song, (there was no way out except through the crowd anyway), so after the second encore she said, “Since we can't leave the stage we’ll just turn our backs to you. Good night.” And that was it.
So check her tour schedule, and if she comes to your town go see her!
Here's Hold on Hold on from A&E with the same band members as Wednesday:
I'm having difficulty embedding my slide show, which you can see here. Sorry about the underexposed shots, the lighting was crappy. I'm adding the better shots as I PP them.....Enjoy!
They screened "The Dynamite Brothers" - first time they'd done it. Basically, it's "The Defiant Ones" meets kung-fu meets 70s blaxploitation. Shot in the Bay Area, so good for some nice local jokes.
There was a warm up (Gruber - the counselor from Freaks & Geeks) and then they ran the movie without breaks. Bit of a lull in the middle, but finished strong. Then, a surprise encore. Lots of lots of fun.
Best moment, one of the characters pulls up to a restaurant called "Fon's" and all five of them did the double thumbs-up "AYYY!" Took a few seconds, and then the whole audience started laughing and applauding.
Was fun to watch Joel, on our left, applauding some of his colleagues' better jokes as well. He carried himself with the air of "This is my schtick." Kinda like Springsteen running the E-Street band.
Check their website, and I highly recommend it if you can make it.
Had a great time and laughed more tonight than I have in the last 3 months.
Pure fun, especially when the trumpet comes in, so unexpected! Love her dancing too. I assume it was very daring at the time.
Yes, I think so. She was a pretty conventional country singer in the beginning. Then Elvis Presley urged her in the more daring direction of rockabilly. She still has the fire at 71 years of age.
Alison and I went to see the Queen of Rockabilly, Wanda Jackson, at The Dame tonight.
All I can say is WOW!. She still has an amazing set of pipes for a 71 year old woman. She performed a set of about an hour and a half. And told many a tale between songs.
She is going to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in April.
We didn't take our cameras, and are now regretting it.
There are a number of videos of her in performance on YouTube, from the beginning of her career, to today.
Here's one of her performing a song she performed this evening.
Pure fun, especially when the trumpet comes in, so unexpected! Love her dancing too. I assume it was very daring at the time.
You know, she came to Red Lodge about 15 years ago and I didn't go. Might have been out of town or something, I just remember seeing a poster after the fact. It was poorly advertised anyway. But dang. That close.
This is the second year in a row she has been here. Our first time to see her, though.
Alison and I went to see the Queen of Rockabilly, Wanda Jackson, at The Dame tonight.
Now I'm jealous.
You know, she came to Red Lodge about 15 years ago and I didn't go. Might have been out of town or something, I just remember seeing a poster after the fact. It was poorly advertised anyway. But dang. That close.
Alison and I went to see the Queen of Rockabilly, Wanda Jackson, at The Dame tonight.
All I can say is WOW!. She still has an amazing set of pipes for a 71 year old woman. She performed a set of about an hour and a half. And told many a tale between songs.
She is going to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in April.
We didn't take our cameras, and are now regretting it.
There are a number of videos of her in performance on YouTube, from the beginning of her career, to today.
Here's one of her performing a song she performed this evening.
Last month I went to see Over The Rhine. I have been in love with a couple of their songs pretty recently, but knew nothing of them, or how a live show would be.
We drove out about an hour's time on a snake curve road to the boonies into a gorgeous setting. Rolling hills, fields - the destination a winery. Yep, OTR had a concert at a winery, how appropriate? Gorgeous day. Sunny, warm...lovely. Nice walk down to the music area. Set up our camping chairs in the general seating area behind the pricier seating in front of the stage. We had the better deal. Great view of the hills, vineyard, trees, large pond and water feature. Oh and stage, too. I purchased a bottle of one of the local pinot grigios, was given a bucket of ice and a cup, and went on my way back to our seats. Opening act was ok...nothing to write home about. Low key, and I got to enjoy the company I was with, and all the surroundings, and had fun people watching. Once it was time for the main act, I paid attention. This group commands it. So lovely is karin's voice...so tight the band. I didn't hear my favorite song, but they played a new favorite...one I won't ever hear without thinking of this show: I Don't Want To Waste Your Time. Mmm. Good stuff!
Romantic experience, to say the very least. It really was a great experience. Fun night out afterwards locally after the drive home, but none of that needs to be repeated here. anyway, I highly recommend the newest cd by Over the Rhine, The Trumpet Child, and to see them live if you get the chance.
forgot to write one about seeing Over The Rhine a couple weeks back, so i'll do that in a bit. but last night i went to covington, ky to see a friend's band open up for Matthew Sweet at a really small but nice venue/theater. i am famous for getting names incorrect, but i think it is on the website for matthew sweet if you care to take a look. they're good!
i knew my friend would be a great frontman (he usually plays guitar, but has a broken arm and couldn't) but i was really impressed. they were great! have a cello and violin on some songs, too. their sound reminded me a lot of a combo of Ours and Starsailor, both outfits i really like a lot. but they do have their own groove, too. good stuff. i think their cd is released and available for download/purchase, as well.
matthew sweet. i had seen him over 10 yrs ago with my friends dave and colleen from youngstown, ohio. matthew sweet is colleen's favorite. ****long side note, you can skip this, it's just personal background stuff. dave was always my concert buddy, since our art institute days. and when i was living in pittsburgh, it was easy to go to youngstown and get together with him to see shows up there (bootsy collins once at a great dive near boardman, oh, and a few times up to cleveland to see jonathan richman, and the afghan whigs, liz phair...etc. fun times.) and he'd often come to pittsburgh to join me to see stuff like westerberg, g-love, i forget who else. i've missed his company. we almost checked out the black keys in akron a few weeks back, where our other partner in crime from artschool days was at the show, too - in from bozeman, mt where he has a wilderness school that is getting lots of press in field and stream, and other places....(he's contributed his knowledge to many movies, and his vocals to a few Tool tracks in the past couple years, too.) very interesting stuff. check out his website, particularly the staff part and the video link here: http://www.pastskills.com/ or http://www.pastskills.com/staff.html sorry, i don't know how to post links, so that may not have come thru correctly.) he has a book deal, a pilot in the works, etc. crazy. anyway, he was at the black keys show. and if i had gone, i know i'd have run into him. first time in over 10 yrs, too. and i know he'd not have recognized me, but i'd know him anywhere, even without his gorgeous long black hair he had back in the day. oh well.**** so it was fun seeing him that time with them both in pittsburgh. he always smiles when he plays his perfect 2 minute pop songs, that actually rock out, too. i'm not much for pop music usually, but this is a different kind. and he is a joy to watch, really. his band was tight, too. and what a visual...the drummer looked like a villian or ghost/goblin from scooby doo, i swear! and the lead guitarist, a 6+ foot, lanky dude, slung his guitar so low, it was hard to imagine how he could play so well like that. but they were all great. and they really enjoyed performing. sweet had aged, but his smile and voice hasn't. played lots of new stuff from his newest release, talked to the audience in the perfect tone and not too much or too little, enough to engage us and get us moving. at the start of the show, after he did a few of the new stuff, he broke into We're The Same, which really put a special secret smile on my face for personal reasons i won't get into here, and got me to a place - knowing this wasn't going to be a disappointing show. about 3/4 the way through the show, i got to rock out/dance to a couple songs up in front of the stage when the spirit moved me (divine intervention, sick of myself...i think were the two.) and though i didn't hear Evangeline or Does She Talk, i wasn't disappointed by anything they did. it was a great time.
something funny did happen. i almost got into a skirmish with a prissy, tall chicka who refused to stand aside from my direct line sight to the stage. plenty of room around her, as the venue wasn't but 1/2 full all night...but she was too busy trying to get the attention of the dude in the porkpie hat who was with the opening act. anyway, if you know me, you know i avoid conflict like the plague, any kind of confrontation. but, she was blocking my view, and i had just sat down after dancing to a couple songs up front and i wanted to watch the show from my seat. so, i politely tapped her on the shoulder, asked her if she wouldn't mind please moving TWO INCHES to her left or right. she turned around, with a precious smile and haughty look in her eye and said "it's a concert. get up and move." well. that did it. and no, i wasn't drunk or anything. i tapped her again, and said to her "sweetheart, if you didn't notice, since you're too busy making eyes at the porkpie hat guy who isn't paying you much mind, i was just up there dancing my cute ass off...and i asked you nicely, once. next time i won't be so nice." she turned around in shock. my friend came back to join me at our table, and once she got a look at him (who had no idea of the "conversation" we had just had, and not that he's imposing in any way), and figured out we were friends of the opening act, i think she thought about it, and moved to her right. and i got to enjoy the last few songs from my vantage point, with a smile.
it was a fun night. go see matthew sweet if you can, anytime. you'll leave smiling. i did.
The Aggrolites in Berlin larger Went to see the L.A. Ska Reggae band at the Kesselhaus in the Kulturbrauerei here in Berlin. I was expecting to skanked and ranked and was not disappointed. The Bro's Rock! What I was not prepared for was the mass turnout of skinheads, which here in East Berlin are rare to see in the wild, as well as to be feared and respected. But as the night rocked on it was clear that we were all there to have a good time and it was had by all. I would have gotten some shots from closer up, but that's where the Skins were thickest, I and I opted to keep a respectful distance. ( After doing my homework after the show, I learned that Ska has always had a strong skinhead following. There are as many species of Skinheads as there are Flowers in the fields. Not all have thorns. These guys seemed to be of the milder sort)
I saw the Broadway production of The Lion King..... in French....... in Paris last week - does that count for anything? I didn't understand much of the dialogue but the stagecraft was freakin' amazing!
I saw the Swell Season (for the second time) last night at the Palace Theatre and it was an amazing show! Glen Hansard's voice is unbelievable, and Marketa's too. It's one of those shows you wish you could replay. They played a couple new songs, I can't wait for the release!
the sound mixer must have wondered what planet you came from with a comment like that.
That distracted Neko and he was chided for fraternizing with the audience (good naturedly, of course.) 
anyway, I highly recommend the newest cd by Over the Rhine, The Trumpet Child, and to see them live if you get the chance.
and i got to enjoy the last few songs from my vantage point, with a smile. 
