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Will S
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« Reply #2060 on: April 09, 2024, 09:17:33 AM » |
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Steve Hackett, Paramount Theatre, last night!
I really enjoyed this, despite being completely unfamiliar with his music. He's a bona fide guitar hero, and I find it appalling that Genesis couldn't make room for him all those years ago. In any other band, he would have been the star.
Glad I finally got to cross this one off my bucket list, although seasonal allergies forced me to flee before the encore.
BTW, I suspect he scheduled his southern jaunt to coincide with our total eclipse today. I hope he got a better view through the clouds than we did here at Chez J From A.
I was just listening to the Foxtrot at Fifty CD yesterday (which is what I think he was playing the other night?). Excellent as ever! |
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All the diamonds in the world
That mean anything to me,
Are conjured up by wind and sunlight
Sparkling on the sea
(Bruce Cockburn)
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Tasha
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« Reply #2061 on: April 09, 2024, 09:41:52 AM » |
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Back from my 'mini cruise' in the Netherlands. First of all, it turns out it wasn't really a cruise at all. Boarded on Friday evening, spent Saturday and Sunday in Amsterdam then travelled to Rotterdam on Sunday evening. Spent Monday in Rotterdam then back to Amsterdam and disembarked on Tuesday. But, leaving that aside, the music was superb. Thea Gilmore was at her brilliant best, with occasional help from her 18 year old son, Egan, on violin. Steve Knightly was on top form, joined for a few numbers by Track Dogs. Then on the last night, Track Dogs took centre stage. They were joined by Steve, Thea and a few others for some of the songs and a good time was had by all. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience (and the food was amazing!)
sorry I missed this report back Mick! Glad you had a good time. perhaps the word Cruise should be omitted from the literature next time  |
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They broke my heart and they killed me, but I didn't die. They tried to bury me, they didn't realise I was a seed.
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John From Austin
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« Reply #2062 on: April 09, 2024, 03:34:18 PM » |
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Steve Hackett, Paramount Theatre, last night!
I really enjoyed this, despite being completely unfamiliar with his music. He's a bona fide guitar hero, and I find it appalling that Genesis couldn't make room for him all those years ago. In any other band, he would have been the star.
Glad I finally got to cross this one off my bucket list, although seasonal allergies forced me to flee before the encore.
BTW, I suspect he scheduled his southern jaunt to coincide with our total eclipse today. I hope he got a better view through the clouds than we did here at Chez J From A.
I was just listening to the Foxtrot at Fifty CD yesterday (which is what I think he was playing the other night?). Excellent as ever! You are correct - the first set was Steve Hackett solo and the second set was Foxtrot in full. I missed the encore, which included "Firth of Fifth" and "Los Endos." |
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davidmjs
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« Reply #2063 on: April 15, 2024, 05:27:26 PM » |
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Not really a gig but in many ways more of one than the musical it bills itself as - Operation Julie at the Aberystwyth Arts Centre on Saturday. It's a brilliant telling of the story and the way they pull it off is extraordinarily original. Tip top soundtrack: Gong, Ten Years After, Robert Johnson, The Moodies, Hawkwind, Crimson, Budgie, Deke, Man, Donovan, Budgie, Pink Fairies, Caravan and BJH. Tour dates below https://theatr-nanog.co.uk/operation-julieHighly recommended |
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Link to Bluesky (Twitter for normal people) profile by web button on left
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Tasha
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« Reply #2064 on: April 16, 2024, 04:35:27 PM » |
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Not really a gig but in many ways more of one than the musical it bills itself as - Operation Julie at the Aberystwyth Arts Centre on Saturday. It's a brilliant telling of the story and the way they pull it off is extraordinarily original. Tip top soundtrack: Gong, Ten Years After, Robert Johnson, The Moodies, Hawkwind, Crimson, Budgie, Deke, Man, Donovan, Budgie, Pink Fairies, Caravan and BJH. Tour dates below https://theatr-nanog.co.uk/operation-julieHighly recommended Having lived in the area at the time this was going on Id love to see this! |
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They broke my heart and they killed me, but I didn't die. They tried to bury me, they didn't realise I was a seed.
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davidmjs
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« Reply #2065 on: April 16, 2024, 07:00:54 PM » |
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Not really a gig but in many ways more of one than the musical it bills itself as - Operation Julie at the Aberystwyth Arts Centre on Saturday. It's a brilliant telling of the story and the way they pull it off is extraordinarily original. Tip top soundtrack: Gong, Ten Years After, Robert Johnson, The Moodies, Hawkwind, Crimson, Budgie, Deke, Man, Donovan, Budgie, Pink Fairies, Caravan and BJH. Tour dates below https://theatr-nanog.co.uk/operation-julieHighly recommended Having lived in the area at the time this was going on Id love to see this! If anybody is interested in the history, my mate Andy Roberts has covered it far better than most in Albion Dream (A History of LSD in Britain, which is getting a new edition soonish) and even more specifically, his biography of Smiles himself (In search of Smiles) which is bloody excellent. Alston (Smiles) is a jolly fine fellow. I loathe musicals, the very idea of them, but this gets around the conceit with some hugely clever direction. Effectively the actors are a band, and they really are a band. I've told the director they really need to get a soundtrack out. Some of their covers are better than the originals... |
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John From Austin
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« Reply #2066 on: April 21, 2024, 04:49:24 PM » |
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Friday, Laufey (pronounced LayVay), with opening act Grace Enger, at the Bass Concert Hall in Austin!
I was one of the oldest attendees of this sold-out show, escorting my 11-year-old granddaughter to her first concert! The crowd was mainly late teen/early 20-somethings, mostly women, many wearing white dresses and bows in their hair (the equivalent of wearing a shawl to a Stevie Nicks concert, I am advised).
Laufey is a fine songwriter, blessed with a powerful alto voice, and superior skills on cello, guitar, and piano. She was backed by a jazz band supplemented by a string quartet led by her identical twin violinist sister, Junia. She is a delightful performer and the audience knew every word of her songs. I don't know how to categorize her music - it's more pop than jazz but it's very sophisticated and played with real instruments.
I am mightily impressed, and I hope she goes onto a long career. I told my granddaughter she will always be able to say she saw Laufey at the beginning.
Singer/songwriter Grace Enger opened the show with a series of tuneful originals. She also hung out for over an hour after Laufey posing for pictures, including one with my lovely granddaughter. What a great night out!
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Chris from Fieldtown
Sorry Bob
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« Reply #2067 on: April 21, 2024, 09:25:16 PM » |
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Friday, Laufey (pronounced LayVay), with opening act Grace Enger, at the Bass Concert Hall in Austin!
I was one of the oldest attendees of this sold-out show, escorting my 11-year-old granddaughter to her first concert! The crowd was mainly late teen/early 20-somethings, mostly women, many wearing white dresses and bows in their hair (the equivalent of wearing a shawl to a Stevie Nicks concert, I am advised).
Laufey is a fine songwriter, blessed with a powerful alto voice, and superior skills on cello, guitar, and piano. She was backed by a jazz band supplemented by a string quartet led by her identical twin violinist sister, Junia. She is a delightful performer and the audience knew every word of her songs. I don't know how to categorize her music - it's more pop than jazz but it's very sophisticated and played with real instruments.
I am mightily impressed, and I hope she goes onto a long career. I told my granddaughter she will always be able to say she saw Laufey at the beginning.
Singer/songwriter Grace Enger opened the show with a series of tuneful originals. She also hung out for over an hour after Laufey posing for pictures, including one with my lovely granddaughter. What a great night out!
That is such a lovely post to have read and your granddaughter is blessed by being able to share this first concert with you. Sounds like you got a pretty good deal with the music, I'm sure many parents have to suffer for the the sake of accompanying their children to those early music events. |
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John From Austin
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« Reply #2068 on: April 22, 2024, 04:04:37 PM » |
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The great Teddy Thompson, last night at 3Ten Live @ Austin City Limits!
Teddy played solo without a net, revealing some guitar skills I hadn't heard previously. He was in fantastic voice. His singing is supple and his tone is gorgeous. It really is a gift. He played a number of selections from his new country album, and also tripped through highlights of his solo career. He concluded with a lovely rendition of "Persuasion." Two thumbs way up!
(P.S. - For some reason the photo is a bit smooshed.)
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Andy
Brain half the size of a planet
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Loc: South West Wales
Not perfect. Never claimed to be.
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« Reply #2069 on: April 26, 2024, 12:02:33 AM » |
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Wendy and I went to see Leveret at Pontardawe Arts Centre tonight. All three on top form, but the audience size was not great - around 55 paying punters. How bands can keep going in the face of certain losses every time they tour, I have no idea. Here's an interesting Guardian article on this very subject, published today. |
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« Last Edit: April 26, 2024, 02:36:01 PM by Andy »
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Shankly (Peter)
Folkcorp Guru
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Real name: Peter
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« Reply #2070 on: April 26, 2024, 12:47:55 AM » |
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Just got back from seeing The Warning in Manchester tonight. Wow! What a gig. If these girls aren't huge stars very soon there's no justice in the world. Luckily, they're playing in Liverpool in July, so I'll get to see them again soon.
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Andy
Brain half the size of a planet
Global Moderator
Offline
Posts: 8613
Loc: South West Wales
Not perfect. Never claimed to be.
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« Reply #2071 on: April 26, 2024, 02:34:49 PM » |
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Reality check: There is no justice in the music world.
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Shankly (Peter)
Folkcorp Guru
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Posts: 665
Loc: Liverpool, England
Real name: Peter
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« Reply #2072 on: April 26, 2024, 02:40:14 PM » |
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Reality check: There is no justice in the music world.
This is true! |
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John From Austin
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« Reply #2073 on: April 26, 2024, 02:54:28 PM » |
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Wendy and I went to see Leveret at Pontardawe Arts Centre tonight. All three on top form, but the audience size was not great - around 55 paying punters. How bands can keep going in the face of certain losses every time they tour, I have no idea. Here's an interesting Guardian article on this very subject, published today. I didn't mention it because I wanted to be upbeat, but Teddy drew about 35 people to 3Ten Live Sunday night. The venue is 350 capacity. He remarked that his Saturday show in Round Top, at a three-day dance-hall extravaganza headlined by Rodney Crowell no less, drew a sparse crowd. He did sell out the handful of CDs he produced after the show, so there's that. I listened to a Sandy Denny interview in which she referenced not having any money. She explained that she had to pay her band, so every time she got her hands on a little money, it immediately went back out the door. Sounds like nothing's changed for artists at that level of success. |
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Shane (Skirky)
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« Reply #2074 on: April 26, 2024, 07:08:23 PM » |
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Wendy and I went to see Leveret at Pontardawe Arts Centre tonight. All three on top form, but the audience size was not great - around 55 paying punters. How bands can keep going in the face of certain losses every time they tour, I have no idea. Here's an interesting Guardian article on this very subject, published today. I suspect that that article was written to order. The Weeping Willows - an Australian duo - are embarking on a fifteen date UK tour shortly, The Paperboys (from Canada) are doing twenty dates in Europe (I’m including the UK in that definition) - they may well be losing green but as we all know, the first time Fairport made any money was when they got dropped and paid off by Phonogram, so this isn’t a new story. As Dr. Hunter Thompson so sagely opined, "The Music Business is a cruel and shallow money trench, a long plastic hallway where thieves and pimps run free, and good men die like dogs. There's also a negative side." |
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Everyone's from somewhere, baby - might as well be here.
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Andy
Brain half the size of a planet
Global Moderator
Offline
Posts: 8613
Loc: South West Wales
Not perfect. Never claimed to be.
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« Reply #2075 on: April 29, 2024, 12:48:11 AM » |
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We went to see Daoiri Farrell at The Welfare Hall, Ystradgynlais, tonight.
His Irish Bouzouki playing was admirable, but his vocals were, sadly, not. His habit of starting lines of lyrics with what was practically a shout/whoop was very difficult to cope with as my hearing aids really got confused with the vastly different volume levels. The one song that this didn't happen was about getting covered in dog shite, not the best topic for clarity to suddenly break out.
He also did a lot of talking between numbers and could have fitted in at least three more songs.
He's probably a very nice bloke and his songs might well be very good in the right venue. However, this wasn't it.
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RobertD
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« Reply #2076 on: April 29, 2024, 02:37:45 PM » |
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Alan Doyle Saturday night at Sony Music Hall in Manhattan. After somehow missing him every time he came to NYC after Great Big Sea's breakup, this was the second straight year I have seen him. Long may that streak continue! Alan was as amped up and energetic as ever, which seeps into his band's enthusiasm, which gets to the audience. The set was mostly the same as last year, with a few more songs included from his latest album. Great Big Sea songs punctuate the set, but at one point he did a mini-medley of some other GBS songs, including a few I never heard the band perform live at the time, so that was great. My wife and I were dancing along throughout. I took the chance on not getting seats, opting for standing room only. The venue is decent, but the seated area is very cramped, and I knew everyone would be on their feet, so why pay the extra was my reasoning!
Opener Adam Baldwin from Nova Scotia did a set of songs solo on piano. I don't believe I had come across him or his previous bands, but the songs were really good. A very Canadian perspective, but well sung and played.
Incidentally, Alan and band will be performing as part of Canada Day in Trafalgar Square on June 30th, for those who might be interested.
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I'm just a little shy of Surf's Up and I'm deeper than Twist and Shout....Iain Matthews
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davidmjs
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« Reply #2077 on: April 29, 2024, 03:54:00 PM » |
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John Bramwell and the Full Harmonic Trio in Chester last night. Just the most wondrous gig - musically, practically, everything. John knows how to write a beautiful song - every single one of his can touch the heart in a very special way and some of them, oh my God... If the trio are in your neck of the woods (and they are) don't miss out... https://johnbramwell.com/tours |
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DarrenWilliams
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« Reply #2078 on: April 29, 2024, 04:46:21 PM » |
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John Bramwell and the Full Harmonic Trio in Chester last night. Just the most wondrous gig - musically, practically, everything. John knows how to write a beautiful song - every single one of his can touch the heart in a very special way and some of them, oh my God... If the trio are in your neck of the woods (and they are) don't miss out... https://johnbramwell.com/toursHe really is superb. Were his song intros up to their usual standard? eg. 'This is another song about drinking, and disaster'. Its a shame I Am Kloot never really made it. Hopefully John will get some recognition one day. He deserves a far higher profile. |
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John From Austin
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« Reply #2079 on: May 02, 2024, 05:02:30 AM » |
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Neil Young and Crazy Horse, rained out tonight.
We trekked 25 miles to the Circuit of the Americas race track/amphitheater for Neil, but the sky opened up right after we arrived around 6:45. The rain stopped after an hour or so, but the lightning never ended. All the bars and concession stands were now closed, so there was nothing to do but wait. At 8:45 or so, they asked everyone to leave. I can't really complain; I don't want Austin to be responsible for electrocuting Neil, his band, or his crew.
Staying tuned for an announcement regarding rescheduling/refunds. I hope I can attend a rescheduled date, but you never know.
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