"LIVE"

[indyscammer]

WOW. If you ever get a chance to attend a "Living Room Show" it is maybe the coolest way to see a band or performer play. The Bottle Rockets were off the chart...and nice guys as well.

[AudioHTIT]

Last night at the Oracle Arena in Oakland California The Who performed possibly their greatest complete work, "Quadrophenia". While an ambitious undertaking for the remaining members of the band - Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey - the two surrounded themselves with great musicians, excellent video presentation, and a musical director who took the complex production and divided it between the members of the ensemble. Notably adding to the group were Pete's brother Simon Townshend who added solid guitar and backing vocals, he even sang lead on "The Dirty Jobs". Zak Starkey (Ringo's son), admirably channeled Keith Moon's powerful drumming and explosive qualities (though no one can quite match Moon's 'frenzy'), Pete noted at the end of the evening Zak had the biggest shoes to fill. Pino Paladino lacked the unique sound of John Entwhistle's bass, but he played his parts perfectly and fit smoothly into the group. Five other musicians added keyboard, synthesizer, piano, and horns.

The video and recorded segments deserve special mention as the "Fifth Beatle" of the night. Quadrophenia includes many 'sound effects' like storms, rain, and the sea; film and recorded sound often opened or filled between songs. The film was played in three round and one rectangular screen behind the band, two traditional screens outside the band were also used for live shots and video. Throughout the evening film and videos of the band and members over the years were shown, sometimes it brought perspective to the music, other times it was just fun to watch. Two very notable segments were a video bass solo by John Entwhistle where you were reminded why he was one of the finest bass players in rock, and a vocal segment from Keith Moon singing 'Bellboy' where you saw his unique sense of humor and character. The video remembrances of Keith and John were very touching to long time Who fans.

Having previously seen The Who seven times - including four shows before the death of Keith Moon - I have been apprehensive about going again as I've been unsure how time and age would affect their music, it's been over 20 years since my last show. But obviously I'm a fan and as alluded above feel Quadrophenia is a masterpiece, it's one reason why Pete Townshend is arguably the greatest songwriter in rock (though I'm a big fan of the Beatles, I'll just have to put them in a class of their own). The question was could two of rock's elder statesman pull of this difficult work, in their late sixties could they continue the artistic journey they began as teenagers? I will happily reply yes, I sat entertained throughout the night and watched as each played his part, that's why it worked. Pete didn't play every guitar part and at times let Simon take the lead as he played power chord rhythm, but he also strummed, picked, and plucked the parts where his signature was required, he still has his chops. Roger also found places to share the stage, rest, and save for the big moments; but he still sang the loin's share and when the big moments called for it he was there.

When Quadrophenia ended with the beautiful and powerful "Love, Reign O'er Me" the audience gave a thunderous approval. I think many like myself realized not only what a great show they had seen, but also that it might be the last time they ever see The Who, at least with any semblance of their past glory. After lengthy applause they performed a very satisfying encore of 'hits': "Who Are You", "Behind Blue Eyes", "Pinball Wizard", "Baba O'Riley", "Won't Get Fooled Again", and then with only Pete and Roger onstage "Tea and Theatre". All in all from music to players to video and production a great show, and a treat for their fans - if you're one of them you should try to catch one of the remaining shows.

[Mountainbiking Fool]

Saw Godsmack, Staind and Halestorm a few months ago. Was a really good concert.

[cheapthryl]

Scored tickets sat for Railroad Earth at the orange peel in asheville nc. Great show! The first concert i've been to in a few years. Good band. I had a LARGE TIME.

[regulator]

You guys in Nashville have a gem located right in the city. Jack White from White Stripes fame has a record store and HQ in Nashville. Even if you aren't a fan of the white stripes, you may like his record label. He has a very cool store down there, especially cool for the vinyl lovers out there. I believe they even press their vinyl out of Nashville. He works with a lot of blues, bluegrass, soul, rock, and everything in between as far as artists go. It would be very cool to see an Emotiva/Third Man Records colloboration in the future. Jack is very much into analog and vinyl, and I can see the people at Emotiva and him hitting it off.
Jack White played on the Grammy's last night, and in my opinion, knocked them out.

[indyscammer]

Just got tickets to see Todd Snider on Thursday night, 3/14. I also got tickets for Ryan Bingham and honeyhoney for Friday the 22nd. Will let you know how they go. Both at The Vogue in Broad Ripple (Indy).

[indyscammer]

Tonight is Todd Snider! Old School story teller/entertainer. Audiophiles...not gonna be your thing. Here are a couple of warm ups:

Beer Run from Bob and Tom Show

Is this comedy or music?

[indyscammer]

Concert was really good.......Todd is a funny guy.


Tomorrow night is Ryan Bingham and honey honey.

[indyscammer]

Honey Honey was really good Friday night. My only complaint was they weren't the headliner so we only got 40 minutes. I did pick up the new CD and had it signed. Ben Jaffe and Suzanne Santo were both really down to Earth people. I hope they make it! Here are a few photos:

Ben and Suzanne


Suzanne and the hired talent:

[indyscammer]

Ryan Bingham was good but would have been better if they hadn't turned the sound up to 11. Was mind numbingly loud. Here are a couple of photos. I thought the 12 string semi-hollow body guitar was really cool:

Ryan on the harmonica


12 String

[autiger]

CSN tomorrow Seen Neil many times but not the rest of the gang. Great venue also.

[indyscammer]

Tomorrow night at The Abbey Pub in Chicago - Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers with Sons of Bill!

[broncsrule21]

RCPM are awesome. Seeing them in Denver this weekend.

[indyscammer]

Awesome show last Friday....You will get RCPM's typical energy Broncs. Here are a few Pics:

My wife with the Tour Bus

The Abbey Pub - Can't read the marquee though

[indyscammer]

Sons of Bill - They were really good. Country/Rock/and Psychedelia too...really different.

[indyscammer]

Roger with Nick Scropos on Bass


Boots playing trumpet on Mexico


Jim Dalton on Lead guitar with PH Naffah on drums in the back.

Sorry for the pictures..photobucket will not resize for some reason. All photos taken with my cell phone.

[indyscammer]

Saw The Bottle Rockets open for James McMurtry last night at The Rathskeller's Biergarten in Indy......nice outdoor quaint venue. Killer show. Here is a taste....these bands are great musicians but it is about the lyrics!

The Bottle Rockets




James McMurtry


Cooks that Crystal Meth cuz the Shine don't sell......

[autiger]

YES Just got tickets to Jeff Beck (with Brian Wilson). Center stage row H Love Jeff.

[indyscammer]

Saw Steve Earle and the Dukes last Tuesday night at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater in Bloomington, IN. Dude can still bring it.

[Boomzilla]

Best show I've ever seen was my daughter playing chamber music with members of the Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra in her music teacher's den.

Second best (though not lately) was Jethro Tull in about '73? It was the "Thick as a Brick" tour. They set up & played the entire album straight through. What AMAZED me about that was if you closed your eyes, you could swear you were listening to the album. Their live performance was note perfect to the album. I've NEVER seen another band that could do that. After the entire set was done, Ian Anderson stepped up to the mic, and said "And now, for our second song..."

He brought down the house!