Saw Dwight Twilley perform live earlier tonight, at a taping for the "Mountain Stage" public-radio show.
Twilley's short four-song set was pretty good, but I was somewhat underwhelmed as I was expecting better. He brought no musicians with him, instead relying on the show's house band to back him up, and they were teriffic despite limited rehearsal. Twilley came out to hearty applause after his introduction, wearing a blinding white blazer and black jeans. The set opened with the obligatory "I'm On Fire", and Twilley held an acoustic guitar which he barely played. He ditched the guitar for the next two songs, a cover of The Beatles' "Slow Down" and then "Get Up" from his new album. His showmanship seemed somewhat strained, as he cavorted around the stage giving directions to the band in a manner that screamed "prima donna" (he was either extremely arrogant, or quite nervous, or both at the same time). The closer "Girls" was fun, as Twilley strapped on an electric guitar, but again it was more of a prop than accompaniment, and the song stretched into an unusually long instrumental break (actually too long by a few minutes, as it was repetitive without going anywhere), and Twilley left the stage before the music even finished.
All in all, as a Twilley fan since the 70's, I'm glad that I got a chance to finally see him, but ...
The show (which also featured The Alternate Routes, James Maddock, madman pianist Jason D. Williams, and Jenny & Johnny) will likely air sometime in mid-November on Public Radio.
Saw one of my favorite bands, The Negro Problem, return to Los Angeles after being away for 5 years. They are playing another show on Tuesday. I've seen Stew/TNP far more than any other artist (100+ times)
_________________ ~Dean~
If I had a million thumbs I'd twiddle, twiddle. But I just have two.
Saw Procol Harum on Saturday night in Collingswood, NJ. Outstanding show-Gary Brooker still sounds incredible, and Geoff Whitehorn is still a beast on guitar. A very nice setlist with a mix of all eras and one, very good new song from an upcoming studio album.
setlist:
Shine On Brightly Homburg Robert's Box Wall Street Blues A Rum Tale A Dream in Ev'ry Home One Eye on the Future Simple Sister Whaling Stories
Interval
The VIP Room Kaleidoscope The Blink of an Eye Pandora's Box Broken Barricades An Old English Dream A Salty Dog
Encores
Toujours l'Amour Conquistador A Whiter Shade of Pale
_________________ "We have a great bunch of outside shooters. Unfortunately, all our games are played indoors."—College Basketball player Weldon Drew
They played Westbury on Friday night but I was unable to attend. One show I would have liked to have seen.
Oh, you would have. The setlist at Westbury was one to die for. I'm happy with what I saw, but that setlist was ridiculous for that show in Westbury! 2 1/2 hours andt hey did a song from EVERY album and played all 20 minutes of "In Held 'Twas In I" and "Whisky Train"! Here it is...
Shine on Brightly Homburg Robert's Box Wall Street Blues The Idol A Dream in Ev'ry Home One Eye on the Future Simple Sister Whaling Stories
Intermission
The VIP Room Kaleidoscope The Blink of an Eye Pandora's Box Strangers in Space Barnyard Story (the Chopin has been removed this tour) An Old English Dream A Salty Dog
Encores
Whisky Train (with drum solo) Conquistador In Held 'Twas in I (complete! Matt Pegg, second spoken part) A Whiter Shade of Pale
_________________ "We have a great bunch of outside shooters. Unfortunately, all our games are played indoors."—College Basketball player Weldon Drew
Almost forgot to mention a wonderful Mavis Staples show from Saturday night...
Mavis was in fine voice, and her backing band for this tour is really, really good. Opener Billy Bragg came back out in early in the set to join in on a cover of The Band's "The Weight", but that wasn't the only surprise of the night. Mavis called out her "sisters", bringing both Bonnie Raitt and Maria Muldaur to the stage to swap verses on "Will The Circle Be Unbroken", and later serenaded Raitt in the balcony with an exuberant and crowd-fueled "Happy Birthday". I thought an extended "I'll Take You There" would have closed out the evening, but Mavis rewarded the Fillmore audience with one more, a slow burner whose title I missed, before finally saying good night.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-w0OD1l-TIg[/youtube] (not my video, FWIW)
I saw Paul Weller last night at the Best Buy (formerly Nokia) Theater. Really good time.....5 Jam songs., and the Everly Brothers.
Peacock Suit 7 & 3 Is The Strikers Name Moonshine From The Floorboards Up Pretty Green 22 Dreams Andromeda Aim High No Tears To Cry Up The Dosage Shout To The Top Trees Empty Ring Let It Be Me One Bright Star Pieces of a Dream Strange Town Woodcutters Son Dangerous Age (?) - he announced a new song, might have been it. Start Fast Car Slow Traffic Echoes Round The Sun Wild Wood
Encore 1- Broken Stones Wake Up The Nation Art School Come On Let's Go
Encore 2- The Changingman Porcelain Gods That's Entertainment
The Philadelphia Spectrum is being torn down today. While hating Philly sports teams, it was a favorite place for me to see concerts over the years. I definitely miss the place.
I saw the Grateful Dead at the Spectrum 34 times between 1985 and 1995. This was one of my favorite shows and favorite moments (pleasantly surprised to know someone videotaped this).
Watch during the first chorus when a balloon comes up on stage and pops in front of Jerry - he was pretty much unfazed by it. I still remember this like it was 25 years ago.
Finally our turn tonight to see THE WALL performed at the MGM Grand. Been waiting almost 7 months since I bought the tix. Coughed up $550.00 so I could bring the kids too. They'd better like it!
Forgot to mention I took the wife to see her favorite band The Frames at the TLA in Philly last Friday on our wedding anniversary. The place was packed and it was so damn hot. They played over 2 hours and did a lot of impromptu stuff-even started a Van Morrison cover and stopped. Glen Hansard then asked if anyone knew the words and a guy from the audience came on stage and sang it with them-he did a great job and actually could sing. Really cool moment and not rehearsed in the least! The Frames are one of the most passionate acts around and they were amazing. This was the 1st night of the tour-their 1st tour in 4 years I believe. See them if you can.
_________________ "We have a great bunch of outside shooters. Unfortunately, all our games are played indoors."—College Basketball player Weldon Drew
Forgot to mention I took the wife to see her favorite band The Frames at the TLA in Philly last Friday on our wedding anniversary. The place was packed and it was so damn hot. They played over 2 hours and did a lot of impromptu stuff-even started a Van Morrison cover and stopped. Glen Hansard then asked if anyone knew the words and a guy from the audience came on stage and sang it with them-he did a great job and actually could sing. Really cool moment and not rehearsed in the least! The Frames are one of the most passionate acts around and they were amazing. This was the 1st night of the tour-their 1st tour in 4 years I believe. See them if you can.
IP - so actually the Frames, no Marketa? The Frames (or essentially the Frames) have toured w/Glen and Marketa as Swell Season for a couple years, but this would be a chance to see them where they're the focus. Assuming they're coming anywhere near here...
Alan
_________________ Alan
"This is a true story, except for the parts that didn't happen." - Steven Wright
Forgot to mention I took the wife to see her favorite band The Frames at the TLA in Philly last Friday on our wedding anniversary. The place was packed and it was so damn hot. They played over 2 hours and did a lot of impromptu stuff-even started a Van Morrison cover and stopped. Glen Hansard then asked if anyone knew the words and a guy from the audience came on stage and sang it with them-he did a great job and actually could sing. Really cool moment and not rehearsed in the least! The Frames are one of the most passionate acts around and they were amazing. This was the 1st night of the tour-their 1st tour in 4 years I believe. See them if you can.
IP - so actually the Frames, no Marketa? The Frames (or essentially the Frames) have toured w/Glen and Marketa as Swell Season for a couple years, but this would be a chance to see them where they're the focus. Assuming they're coming anywhere near here...
Alan
Alan: All Frames-just them. Swell Season is done. This was a pure Rock show and the fans were just so nuts for them the band was overwhelmed (and it was their first night of the tour, so it was genuine). I'm really glad we saw them , especially as my wife loves them and we never knew if they'd get back to playing due to the success of Swell Season. Only Frames dates left are on the West Coast but they'll be back next year I'm sure. I know they played NY as well, not sure about the Pittsburgh area. Also, I was wrong-it was Dylan's "Girl From The North Country" they played when they brought the guy up on stage. I had Van Morrison in my mind but I knew I was thinking of another show by someone else!
_________________ "We have a great bunch of outside shooters. Unfortunately, all our games are played indoors."—College Basketball player Weldon Drew
Weezer played my favorite album of theirs, Pinkerton, and reminded me why I love it so much.
Saw Roger Waters perform The Wall, and I have to say that with 30 years of anticipation, I was not disappointed. Clearly my favorite show of the year.
The Posies with Brendan Benson was enjoyable. Brendan doesn't have much stage presence, but he does have the songs. Fortunately The Posies have both. Ken Stringfellow is one of the most energetic and playful players I've seen in a while. And they also backed Brendan, so it helped me with his set. Oh and a band called Aqueduct opened and I liked them so much I bought a couple of their CDs.
Last night was Zappa Plays Zappa. Can't go wrong with playing one of my favorite Zappa albums in its entirety (Apostrophe). However, I didn't care much for the guy singing Frank's lines. I think I would have preferred an R&B singer doing this over a guy who was trying too hard to mimic Frank and at times came off like a poor man's Tom Waits. But the musicianship was stellar, and I did enjoy the set list. I even loved the performance of Valley Girl.
_________________ ~Dean~
If I had a million thumbs I'd twiddle, twiddle. But I just have two.
Last night was Zappa Plays Zappa. Can't go wrong with playing one of my favorite Zappa albums in its entirety (Apostrophe). However, I didn't care much for the guy singing Frank's lines. I think I would have preferred an R&B singer doing this over a guy who was trying too hard to mimic Frank and at times came off like a poor man's Tom Waits. But the musicianship was stellar, and I did enjoy the set list. I even loved the performance of Valley Girl.
Do you remember who it was? Not the name, of course, but what he played? I have mixed feelings about ZPZ, primarily due to Dweezil's (and the ZFT's) attitude that they're the only ones who can play Frank's music "correctly". I've seen them three times and have the first DVD - there was a definite progression from the first tour (which I didn't see in person) up through the second time I saw them. The last time, I felt there was a step back. They seemed much more comfortable as a band, and more relaxed with the material that time, and with the more recent tour (they weren't doing Apostrophe yet), they were stiffer and there seemed to be a little less interaction.
Alan
_________________ Alan
"This is a true story, except for the parts that didn't happen." - Steven Wright
I'll see my last two shows of the year this week - Joe Satriani tom'w, and John Oliver at the Improv on Saturday. I'm not a huge Satch fan, but I like the new album, and Mike Keneally is playing keys for him on this tour. Good seat, too - fifth row, stage right.
Alan
_________________ Alan
"This is a true story, except for the parts that didn't happen." - Steven Wright
Users browsing this forum: DanO, Google [Bot] and 1 guest
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot post attachments in this forum