Location: right behind you. no, over there. Gender:
Posted:
Jul 7, 2022 - 9:28am
We were supposed to have seen Elle King, Sheryl Crow and Chris Stapleton June 25th. That got bumped a week due to COVID stuff, and in that week somehow it morphed into us seeing Mike Campbell and the Dirty Knobs, Margo Price and Chris Stapleton on July 2nd. The would-be son-in-law was pretty bummed about the absence of Sheryl Crow until I told him who Mike Campbell was. At the actual show itself it became obvious that a lot of the audience would have benefited from this knowledge as well.
I've been pretty clear here about my concert preferences. I like 'in the moment' shows. Fast and loose is great. Chaos can be even better. With that being said, I'll lay this review out unconventional-like.
Stapleton. Despite all appearances, he is obviously a perfectionist/possibly a control freak. The performance was long (24 songs with encores), impeccably played, and perfectly enjoyable. I've wanted to see him perform for quite some time now, and while it absolutely was not a disappointment, I don't know that I'll bother to try and see him again.
Dirty Knobs. Set was WAY too short. Roughly 25 minutes in front of a quarter-full arena. They played a couple of Petty/Heartbreakers songs and a handful of originals. Margo Price came out during his set and sang backup and bashed a tambourine. The guitar work was, as one would expect, legendary. It was great. I cannot wrap my head around people paying money for a concert and not bothering to take in opening acts, but in this case COME ON.
Margo. Another one from my 'must see' list, so I was kinda amped up about this. I'd been wondering if her husband would be in the band. He was. Geeeez, what a guitar player. The bassist was fantastic as well. She hits a LOT harder live than on recordings and while I didn't get to hear my favorite (Hey Child), Mike Campbell came out for a couple of songs including what has become one of my absolute favorite concert moments ever when they launched into Ways to be Wicked and I put 2 and 2 together as to what was happening. That song was the highlight of the whole thing. It was obvious the performers were enjoying it, as well. Campbell soloed for about 2 minutes at the end. Pure scorched earth. 10/10.
Went to Vegas last week and caught Silk Sonic during their Vegas residency. Wife was dumbfounded that I spent so much on tickets, but the Park MGM has a great venue with every seat being great, and I saved by getting the flight & hotel room for nothing via points. And these guys delivered. Tight, excellent musicianship. Well-written songs. Fantastic stage presence with some teasing and acknowledging each other's strengths. A well put-together show since they were in residence. Twice I noticed that they had verbatim stolen from a tune (once, EW&F, and the other in the performance below) but then - in the middle of the tune - they went into the song itself and then came back out of it. Nice homage. Man, THAT was worth the trip. They had us all seal our phones at entry (yay) and then their second song was really a little thing that mocked us that they created called "we took your phones."
Glad you enjoyed the show. The minimum might have been too much for me.
Went to Vegas last week and caught Silk Sonic during their Vegas residency.
Wife was dumbfounded that I spent so much on tickets, but the Park MGM has a great venue with every seat being great, and I saved by getting the flight & hotel room for nothing via points.
And these guys delivered. Tight, excellent musicianship. Well-written songs. Fantastic stage presence with some teasing and acknowledging each other's strengths.
A well put-together show since they were in residence.
Twice I noticed that they had verbatim stolen from a tune (once, EW&F, and the other in the performance below) but then - in the middle of the tune - they went into the song itself and then came back out of it. Nice homage.
Man, THAT was worth the trip.
They had us all seal our phones at entry (yay) and then their second song was really a little thing that mocked us that they created called "we took your phones."
I've never been to a show in Las Vegas but they sure get some good productions.
Went to Vegas last week and caught Silk Sonic during their Vegas residency.
Wife was dumbfounded that I spent so much on tickets, but the Park MGM has a great venue with every seat being great, and I saved by getting the flight & hotel room for nothing via points.
And these guys delivered. Tight, excellent musicianship. Well-written songs. Fantastic stage presence with some teasing and acknowledging each other's strengths.
A well put-together show since they were in residence.
Twice I noticed that they had verbatim stolen from a tune (once, EW&F, and the other in the performance below) but then - in the middle of the tune - they went into the song itself and then came back out of it. Nice homage.
Man, THAT was worth the trip.
They had us all seal our phones at entry (yay) and then their second song was really a little thing that mocked us that they created called "we took your phones."
I don't know how it managed to fall into our laps, but we got a chance to see Amythyst Kiah and Yola in Billings Friday night. 400 seat venue, less than half full. Took the kids and stood about 15 feet from the stage and just reveled in it.
hiccup and I have played Songs of Our Native Daughters regularly since hearing it on NPR First Listen early last year, so it was a great surprise to learn than Amythyst was the opening act. She performed solo with either an acoustic guitar or a banjo and just killed it. Just enough banter/setup for songs and unbelievable talent.
Yola and band took the stage and ratcheted up the energy level. We'd watched the livestream of her ACL taping the week before, and they didn't stray much/at all from the setlist/performance from that show, but it didn't really detract. She's a force of nature on stage, and the band is great. Kind of a once-in-a-lifetime to see 2 recent Grammy nominees share a stage in front of maybe 150-170 people. All in all, just a great time.
I was a little bit mystified that I could gin up no interest here. Even when a local guy offered his tix for $20.
Pub Station *barely* mentioned Amythyst was going to be on the bill. I suppose it wouldn't have made much difference.
Location: right behind you. no, over there. Gender:
Posted:
Feb 17, 2020 - 5:09pm
I don't know how it managed to fall into our laps, but we got a chance to see Amythyst Kiah and Yola in Billings Friday night. 400 seat venue, less than half full. Took the kids and stood about 15 feet from the stage and just reveled in it.
hiccup and I have played Songs of Our Native Daughters regularly since hearing it on NPR First Listen early last year, so it was a great surprise to learn than Amythyst was the opening act. She performed solo with either an acoustic guitar or a banjo and just killed it. Just enough banter/setup for songs and unbelievable talent.
Yola and band took the stage and ratcheted up the energy level. We'd watched the livestream of her ACL taping the week before, and they didn't stray much/at all from the setlist/performance from that show, but it didn't really detract. She's a force of nature on stage, and the band is great. Kind of a once-in-a-lifetime to see 2 recent Grammy nominees share a stage in front of maybe 150-170 people. All in all, just a great time.
The Waifs. My second time seeing them and initially wasn't sure, but was soon sold on this very different show. I think it helped that it wasn't an album launch so they could pull out more diverse tunes.
Random thoughts:
It is so nice that they are willing to tour the smaller cities. So many bands just play the capital cities It was the first stop on the tour so they were feeling fresh. They have been playing together for so long that they almost instinctively cover for each other in rough spots The sound system and mixing could have been better. It was loud. Nice to hear them rock out some. Even they commented before the encore and quieted it right down so we went home with a nice satiated feel Lots of harmonica from Vikki this time The sisters' sniping at each other was mostly good natured, although they weren't sure it would stay that way through the tour Vikki is back living in Australia Donna is single again. Dream on guys
Can't say I know The Waifs. Youtubing them right now. Nice sound. Nice voice. Edit: Dang. Even had me up and dancing.
The Waifs. My second time seeing them and initially wasn't sure, but was soon sold on this very different show. I think it helped that it wasn't an album launch so they could pull out more diverse tunes.
Random thoughts:
It is so nice that they are willing to tour the smaller cities. So many bands just play the capital cities It was the first stop on the tour so they were feeling fresh. They have been playing together for so long that they almost instinctively cover for each other in rough spots The sound system and mixing could have been better. It was loud. Nice to hear them rock out some. Even they commented before the encore and quieted it right down so we went home with a nice satiated feel Lots of harmonica from Vikki this time The sisters' sniping at each other was mostly good natured, although they weren't sure it would stay that way through the tour Vikki is back living in Australia Donna is single again. Dream on guys
What do Judy Collins, Mike Nesmith, Robert Plant, Calexico with Iron & Wine, and Joan Osborne have in common?
Saw them over the weekend at the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass in Golden Gate Park. And that's missing out on Steve Earle and a few others due to conflicts.
Collins, 80 years old, told stories about how when this new poet Leonard Cohen came over to her apartment she said, "I don't care if he can write songs! He's so good looking!" And in the middle of her set in the usually noisy and disrespectful festival crowd she sang - a capella - a song about "my husband is not a rapist / he has calloused hands from hard work / we came here for justice and democracy / my daughter is afraid we will have to go back..." and the entire area was dead silent until the standing ovation. A friend of mine, after her set, said he had never in all our years heard any voice so amazing.
Nesmith was clunky and pretty much repeated the tunes from Live at the Palais. Good to see him and Collins since you figure they're near the end of their performing.
I could barely hear Calexico, and my crew had some personal stuff that distracted me
Joan, in the blazing afternoon sun, played a handful of new music, then some older stuff including St Theresa but, during her finish of What if God were One of Us, she sat on a stool abruptly stopped and said "I'm having heat stroke..." and they had to lay her down and take her offstage. Scary, but she was fine.
What do Judy Collins, Mike Nesmith, Robert Plant, Calexico with Iron & Wine, and Joan Osborne have in common?
Saw them over the weekend at the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass in Golden Gate Park. And that's missing out on Steve Earle and a few others due to conflicts.
Collins, 80 years old, told stories about how when this new poet Leonard Cohen came over to her apartment she said, "I don't care if he can write songs! He's so good looking!" And in the middle of her set in the usually noisy and disrespectful festival crowd she sang - a capella - a song about "my husband is not a rapist / he has calloused hands from hard work / we came here for justice and democracy / my daughter is afraid we will have to go back..." and the entire area was dead silent until the standing ovation. A friend of mine, after her set, said he had never in all our years heard any voice so amazing.
Nesmith was clunky and pretty much repeated the tunes from Live at the Palais. Good to see him and Collins since you figure they're near the end of their performing.
I could barely hear Calexico, and my crew had some personal stuff that distracted me
Joan, in the blazing afternoon sun, played a handful of new music, then some older stuff including St Theresa but, during her finish of What if God were One of Us, she sat on a stool abruptly stopped and said "I'm having heat stroke..." and they had to lay her down and take her offstage. Scary, but she was fine.
Just caught Fleetwood Mac (minus Lindsey) in Auckland. Hometown hero Neil Finn co-fronting the band, which is now basically Stevie Nicks' FM. But, a really good show and Neil got a massive reception and did I Got You and, of course, Don't Dream it's Over. Mick F talked at the introduction of it about how it moved him, and Stevie came in afterward to talk about how it was a song that comes along once in a lifetime and singers forget that after a while but he should never forget it. A fairly moving moment.
Mike Campbell was lead guitar, doing an admirable job including Oh Well, Pts 1 & 2, and then Stevie sang "Free Fallin" for an encore. Nice.
Peter Green was mentioned thrice, including them doing Black Magic Woman and Man of the World. No Bob Welch. And NO Lindsey mention or pictures during montages. And Christine McVie was tolerated but not given the attention she could get since she's been in the band forever. Except she left for years, so she lost her place in line...
Someone else's video from Australia a few nights prior:
Nice. I bet his heart was practically bursting.
I saw them in 1977 in the heyday of Rumors and they played and sang flawlessly for an hour and a half. Sounded just like the studio. They were tight to put it mildly.
Just caught Fleetwood Mac (minus Lindsey) in Auckland. Hometown hero Neil Finn co-fronting the band, which is now basically Stevie Nicks' FM. But, a really good show and Neil got a massive reception and did I Got You and, of course, Don't Dream it's Over. Mick F talked at the introduction of it about how it moved him, and Stevie came in afterward to talk about how it was a song that comes along once in a lifetime and singers forget that after a while but he should never forget it. A fairly moving moment.
Mike Campbell was lead guitar, doing an admirable job including Oh Well, Pts 1 & 2, and then Stevie sang "Free Fallin" for an encore. Nice.
Peter Green was mentioned thrice, including them doing Black Magic Woman and Man of the World. No Bob Welch. And NO Lindsey mention or pictures during montages. And Christine McVie was tolerated but not given the attention she could get since she's been in the band forever. Except she left for years, so she lost her place in line...
Someone else's video from Australia a few nights prior:
Someone else I know from your town was there too. Not totally odd but well yes it is because I know two people in your town. Plus your kin, of course, but you know.
Seeing that Bill played Ozark Mountain Daredevils reminded me that 45 years ago last weekend, on the 10th, me and 300,000 of my closet friends saw them along with Marshall Tucker, Black Oak Arkansas, PFM, Grinderswitch, Foghat, Emerson, Lake, and Palmer, and the Allman Brothers Band at August Jam at the Charlotte Speedway. As we were in line to pay some good old boys, with bolt cutters, cut the chain link fence from inside and pulled us up the incline and into the venue. I understand it got ugly later with police dogs getting involved when they tried to close that hole in the fence but by then we were already in front of the stage and Marshall Tucker was up next. It was quite a day. Music from 11 am until a little after 2 am.
Jon Anderson 1000 Hands tour. On a last minute whim, I caught Jon and his 8 piece band last Saturday. Incredible energy from Jon and the band. Great mix of new solo, old Yes, old solo. Highly recommend...another "cosmic" experience from Jon.
Excellent Review... 
