May 28, 2011

Concert #594 - Richard Thompson at McCabe's Guitar Shop (May 27, 2011)


This was the second and final Richard Thompson benefit concert organized at McCabe's in response to the Japanese earthquake and tsunami disaster. The concert sold out in seven minutes, a new record for McCabe's, and unlike three weeks ago, their server did not crash.

The show was announced for 8 PM. Wanting to sit in the front row, I got to McCabe's at 5:15 PM, which was good enough to be third in line - it was reassuring to know that there are at least two people in the Universe who are crazier than me.

The show was opened by Jim Kweskin, who - at the tender age of seventy - grabbed and kept everyone's attention with a thirty-five-minute set that was a lesson in how to warm up a crowd: not exceedingly long, with a good mix of songs and informative chatter in-between songs. Jim was accompanied by bassist David Jackson and Padrick Peper on mouth harmonica.

Richard Thompson came out just before 9 PM and played a revamped set of decent length that had only five songs from his May 7 appearance. Throughout the show, he appeared to be relaxed and in good mood. His guitar work was strong, and so was his voice. Longtime collaborator Debra Dobkin, an often-seen percussionist, was in the room, so Richard jokingly acknowledged her presence by asking her to applaud rhythmically and percuss.
Richard Thompson at McCabe's (May 27, 2011)







Clearly honored by the presence of Jim Kweskin, who stayed on after his opening set, Richard called himself a fan and owner of early Jim Kweskin Jug Band albums, back in the 1960s. Richard then sang "Drinkin' Wine Spo-Dee-O-Dee", an uptempo song first recorded by Stick McGhee. Later in the show, Richard spoke lovingly of Sandy Denny, then followed up with his own rendition of "Who Knows Where The Time Goes", a gorgeous song written and sung by Sandy during her Fairport Convention days.

PARTIAL SET LIST
"Bathsheba Smiles"
"The Ghost Of You Walks'
"The Money Shuffle"
"Woods Of Darney"
"Drinkin' Wine Spo-Dee-O-Dee"
"Johnny's Far Away"
"Who Knows Where The Time Goes"
"1952 Vincent Black Lightning"
"Good Things"
"Dimming Of The Day"
"I Misunderstood"
"I Feel So Good"
"Poor Will And The Jolly Hangman"
"Back Street Slide"
"If Love Whispers Your Name"

At the end of his set, Richard received a standing ovation, after which he came back with his youngest son, bassist Jack Thompson, with whom he played the last three songs from the above list. Particularly good was the extended finale of "Back Street Slide", which pretty much followed the original version. Jack, sporting two metal rings in his lower lip and long hair that often covered his entire face, held his own under intimidating circumstances.

Richard & Jack Thompson at McCabe's (May 27, 2011)
Richard's set list (not fully followed)
Jim Kweskin (center) during his opening set
Jim Kweskin's set list
Hanging out after the show (Right: Debra Dobkin and guitarist Steve Postell)
My jaw dropped when not one, but two folks standing in line, right next to me, had hard copies or my previous Richard Thompson concert review, taken from this very blog. Now I know - I have a readership of at least two! Thanks Lynne and thanks Mike!

Lynne
Mike
Poster in the window at McCabe's





May 25, 2011

Concert #504 - Dave Alvin & Friends (Peter Case Benefit Concert) at McCabe's Guitar Shop (May 2, 2009)


This was the second of the three Peter Case benefit concerts held at McCabe's on three consecutive evenings, and it turned out to be the least memorable of the three. Tickets cost $50, the most I had paid for a McCabe's concert. Steve A. and Steve M, a.k.a. "The Other Steve", were there with me, it's always fun when we get together.

LIST OF PERFORMERS
 Stan Ridgway
Michelle Shocked
Ron Franklin
Syd Straw
The Dark Bob
Amy Farris
Jack Rudy
Chris Morris (the host of the evening)

The show started with a pointless schtick by someone calling himself "The Dark Bob". It's the only part of the evening that's available on YouTube. You may wanna watch it here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCTMGJ4ZtSw

After he performed "On My Way Downtown", a song written by Peter Case, Dave Alvin spoke about the days when the two of them were with their respective bands, the Blasters and the Plimsouls.

Ron Franklin played a short set that was rather dull, then Stan Ridgway and Michelle Shocked brought some life into the show.

Stan Ridgway

The late Amy Farris accompanied Dave during his set - it was the last time I saw Amy, who later that year committed suicide.

Amy Farris

May 22, 2011

Concert #593 - Willie Nile at McCabe's Guitar Shop (May 21, 2011)


Willie Nile's small body is no indication as to how huge he is as a performer. Why isn't he better known than he actually is? That's just another unexplained mystery of the Universe. Actually Willie did talk about fame and the benefits of not having achieved it, but also mentioned, in good humor, of course, that he could use the money that often accompanies fame.

This was my third time to see him in three years and I thought he was better than ever. Wearing his usual all-black clothes and armed with an acoustic guitar, Willie put on yet another blistering show that was exceptionally well-received by the sell-out crowd. I was amazed by his intensity and the incredible amount of energy that he exuded throughout the concert. His new songs were all catchy and instantly likeable, not unlike his earlier work.

Twice during the show, Willie sat down at the piano to play slower songs, namely "Streets Of New York" and "Love Is A Train", but his "rock & roll attitude" kept coming even while his guitar wasn't in use.

PARTIAL SET LIST
"Seeds Of A Revolution"
"House Of A Thousand Guitars"
"I Wanna Be Sedated"
"People Who Died"
"The Innocent Ones"
"One Guitar"
"Rich And Broken"
"Streets Of New York"
"Love Is A Train"
"Cell Phones Ringing (In The Pockets Of The Dead)"
"On The Road To Calvary"
"Les Champs Elysees"

Willie brought along drummer and backup vocalist Frankie Lee, his longtime sidekick, who did a great job from his low-profile spot right in the corner of the stage.

Just like in 2009, Creed Bratton, of the Grass Roots and The Office fame, popped up for a couple of songs and he was definitely a welcome addition to the show.

Without a doubt, this was one of the best shows I have ever seen at McCabe's

Willie Nile and fans, before the door opened
The McCabe's crowd, minutes before the lights went down
Concert Director Lincoln Myerson addressing the crowd
L to R: Creed Bratton, Willie Nile
Willie Nile chatting with fans after the show

Some of the folks I dragged with me to McCabe's
The evening kicked off with an opening act of some renown: Peter Lewis of Moby Grape, the internationally known American rock band. Peter came out with three other musicians, among them Willie Aron, a very good guitar player I had seen a few times before. Peter's performance was passable at best.

Peter Lewis' set list