Concert #483 - Barry McGuire at the First Baptist Church of Glendora (October 11, 2008)

This was my third time to catch Barry McGuire in concert in just about two years, which clearly demonstrates how much I enjoyed his "Trippin' The Sixties" series of concerts. But there was something different about this third show: Terry Talbott, Barry's long-time musical collaborator, was no longer there. I don't know what led to the breakup, but in the end I was a lot happier with Barry's new partner, John York, a musician associated with one of the early incarnations of the Byrds.

Well into his seventies, Barry showed no signs of slowing down. His seemingly bottomless energy and the tremendous joy radiating from his face are hard to forget. It was very obvious that Barry loved being up there on the stage and when he thanked the fans for their support, his words did not sound fake at all.

I was very impressed with Barry's voice, which remained as instantly recognizable as it was during his "Eve Of Destruction" days. The concert started with "Green, Green", the classic New Christy Minstrels tune featuring Barry's raspy voice, and after that, it was one gem after another, all interspersed with stories about Bob Dylan, Mama Cass, Tim Hardin, the Lovin' Spoonful and others. And you can bet your life that no one questioned his credibility. He was there!

The set list

I went to the show with my childhood friend Mircea, who happens to be a walking encyclopedia of music of all genres, if there ever was one. We both loved the show.

My friend Mircea, just minutes before the show

My friend Mircea checking out the set list

John York was exceptionally good in his new role as Barry's sidekick. Unlike the somewhat overbearing Terry Talbot, Barry's previous partner, John was a perfect complement to the headlining Barry, always offering his musical skills to support, rather than upstage. 

Barry McGuire (left) and John York (October 11, 2008)

The highlight of the show had to be "Eve Of Destruction", a song that still gives me the goosebumps. "I I Were A Carpenter", "Hair" and "Greenback Dollar" were also outstanding, but then so was the entire show.

I consider myself extremely lucky for having had the chance to not only see one of my life-long heroes, but also talk with him. As he often does, Barry made himself available after the show to meet his fans, so I got to shake his hand once again. Barry also autographed for me a photograph taken in December 2007 after his show in Altadena, here it is:

Yours Truly and Barry McGuire in 2007 (photo autographed in October 2008)

Barry McGuire chatting with fans after the show

The sparse stage of the First Baptist Church of Glendora

The First Baptist Church of Glendora

Concert #484 - Kris Kristofferson at the Haugh Performing Arts Center (October 19, 2008)

This was possibly the most emotional concert I've ever attended. This concert gave me goosebumps and made me weep, and all this for two reasons. First, Kris Kristofferson was phenomenally good, and second, I went to the show with a dear friend from the other side of the planet, who decades earlier first introduced me to Kris' music, when I was still living in the music-deprived Old Country.

It was in the early 1970s when my friend Mircea let me have a tape that contained "The Silver Tongued Devil And I", Kris Kristofferson's second and arguably best album. Kris' lyrics were totally impenetrable to me, as my English at that time was less than passable, but the quality of the tunes and Kris' superb delivery were all that was needed to knock me out, and what a knock-out it was. Later in the 70s, life brought me to California, where I've been living happily ever since ... who would have thought that, decades later, Mircea and I would be sitting next to each other, listening to Kris Kristofferson singing many of the very same songs that meant so much to both of us ... well, it happened.

The concert took place at the Haugh  Performing Arts Center on the campus of the Citrus College in the City of Glendora. The theater has 1,440 seats, yet it feels fairly intimate. The place was almost full when Kris took the stage, there were just a few empty seats in the back. The stage was sparse, with just a rug on the floor, a guitar stand with an acoustic guitar, a sheet music stand, a microphone and two monitors, all tell-tale signs that a one-man-show was about to begin.

The stage

Kris opened his show with "Shipwrecked", a lesser known song, but before too long, his famous gems started coming up, and they kept coming one after the other, it was pure magic. Although in his early seventies, Kris sang pretty much with the same voice he had in the seventies (the decade), and even his vocal inflections sounded like the ones from his younger days.

Partial set list 

"Shipwrecked

"Me & Bobby McGee"

"Help Me Make It Through The Night" 

"For The Good Times"

"Jody And The Kid"

"Here Comes That Rainbow Again"

"This Old Road"

"In The News"

"Pilgrim's Progress"

"The Final Attraction"

"Help Me Make It Through The Night"

"Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down"

 "The Silver Tongued Devil And I"

"Loving Her Was Easier Than Anything I'll Ever Do Again"

"Love Is The Way" (encore)

"Why Me, Lord" (encore)

Most of his songs ended with a laconic "Thank you". Occasionally, Kris would introduce the next song, but there wasn't much stage banter - the focus was on his music and there wasn't a single bad song during his almost two-hour long concert. With just a voice and an acoustic guitar, Kris held his audience captive and I'm sure that my eyes weren't the only moist ones in the room.

All-in-all, it was a moving encounter with a musician I've loved for many decades. Also one of the most unforgettable concerts I've ever attended.

My friend Mircea at the Haugh Performing Arts Center

Kris Kristofferson fans filing in

Haugh Performing Arts Center

Concert #600 - David Bromberg at McCabe's Guitar Shop (August 6, 2011)

For my 600th concert, I couldn't have asked to see a better performance than the one put on by David Bromberg last night at McCabe's, but I have to admit that, although fully aware of his place in the music world, I had only been a part-time follower of David's career. Shame on me.

Last night's show at McCabe's, the second of two sold-out shows there, was nothing short of extraordinary - no wonder David was given four standing ovations, including one right in the middle of his second set, as he was wrapping up "Mr. Bojangles".

Any attempt on my part to describe David Bromberg's wit, charisma, musical credibility and, pardon my French, joie de vivre, would be an exercise in futility, so let me just say that the guy is witty and charismatic like few others, makes you take in every word he says and the joy of playing music just oozes through his pores.

David Bromberg at McCabe's (August 6, 2011)

And the music he played was great. Last night it was mostly blues, but not only. The proceedings kicked-off with "Keep On Drinkin'", followed by a few songs from "Use Me", David's brand new album of musical collaborations with some of the biggest names in the music business. John Hiatt's "Ride On Out A Ways" and Tim O'Brien's "Blue Is Fallin'" were exceptionally good, but the song that made me scream the loudest was "Diggin' In The Deep Blue Sea", written by Keb' Mo' and performed brilliantly by David and his band. And Keb' Mo' deserves all the credit in the world for having come up with such a perfect song title.

And speaking of the band: they were great as well, particularly Brian Mitchell, who played the piano and keyboards with total fervor and abandonment. He also picked up his accordion to provide the Latin touch for "The Long Goodbye", David's collaboration with Los Lobos. Brian's many extended solos were very well received by the crowd.

Brian Mitchell, pictured here with Dolly Parton

One of the highlights of the evening was David's rendition of "Bring It With You When You Come", an old jug band tune, complete with racy lyrics such as "I ain't no plumber, I ain't no plumber's son, But I can screw your pipes until your plumber comes", and if that wasn't racy enough for you, he went on with "I ain't no lawyer, I ain't no lawyer's son, But I can get you off until your lawyer comes". The crowd loved it, needless to say. But David saved the best for last, by seamlessly transitioning into a folk-music version of "Wooly Bully", with full vocal support from the audience. It was a blast.

David Bromberg at McCabe's (August 6, 2011)

Then there was humor. Lots of humor. At one point, David asked the band "What do we play now? Oh, let's play a blues number in A-minor", and they all started playing a song. The same song. Earlier in the evening, just before the intermission, David told the crowd that they have CDs for sale. And DVDs. Also BVDs. I also enjoyed David's story about Sam Lightnin' Hopkins' way of making cash by recording the same few songs at multiple record labels without signed contracts, which would have limited his money-making options.

And there were more outstanding songs: "Diamond Lil", "Rock & Roll Millionaire", "Kind Hearted Woman", from Robert Johnson's repertoire, Vince Gill's "Lookout Mountain Girl", and the unbelievable "I Will Never Be Your Fool". I've been to a few concerts in my life, but I don't think I've ever seen or heard anything quite like the latter.

David Bromberg - what a performer!

David Bromberg signing autographs before the show

An incomplete set list photographed after the show

Concerts #342, 599 - Robbie Fulks at McCabe's Guitar Shop (July 31, 2004 - July 31, 2011)

I've seen Robbie Fulks twice now, the first time in 2004, then again in July 2011. Two shows, same venue, two very different impressions.

July 31, 2004. Robbie's show wasn't bad, but I went home with expectations slightly unfulfilled, as I felt there was too much "country" and not enough "alt" in his show. I can't say the concert was boring, but I found Robbie to be a little less engaging than some of the other leading artists in his vein. It was a solo show, with no guests and no back-up musicians. He performed the whole concert standing up, towering over McCabe's' tiny stage. "She Took A Lot Of Pills And Died" is the only song I can recall from his entire gig.

But Ben Vaughn, Robbie's unannounced opening act, was a revelation. At that time, Ben was nothing more than just a name I had heard of before. His songs were exceptionally good - the one that stood out the most was "Growin' A Beard", a humorous rockabilly ditty. In the ensuing months and years, I found myself buying and listening a lot to Ben's music, all thanks to his thirty-minute opening slot at McCabe's.

Ben Vaughn

Back to Robbie Fulks. After my less-than-auspicious introduction to his music in 2004, my interest in Robbie's work went way down and it wasn't until a couple of years ago, when I discovered his association with Bloodshot Records, that I started paying attention once again. His rousing version of Johnny Cash's "Cry, Cry, Cry" was a strong ear opener, so when McCabe's announced Robbie's gig in July 2011, I immediately bought a ticket and so did my friend Steve.

July 31, 2011. Robbie Fulks came out with guitarist Robbie Gjersoe, who played the guitar, provided backup vocals, as well as some good humor. The two Robbies put on an outstanding show, full of energy, laughter, quality songs, great picking and strong vocals. I enjoyed very much the family-room atmosphere created by the two musicians, who clearly had as much fun as the crowd.

Robbie Fulks (right) and Robbie Gjersoe at McCabe's

Robbie Fulks used at least four different singing voices, a skill seldom exhibited even by the finest vocalists. He hit high notes with power and precision and his lows were equally good. There were plenty of up-tempo songs, interspersed with a few outstanding ballads. Most of the songs were new to me, but it did not matter - everything they played was tuneful, catchy and instantly likable.

The set list

They also played a few songs not appearing in their set list, among them "The Buck Starts Here" and "Scrabble". I don't think I can pick a highlight, the whole show was solid from start to finish.

Robbie Fulks (right) and Robbie Gjersoe at McCabe's

One of the special charms of McCabe's is what happens after the show is over. As the crowd lingers on in the store, quite often the performers come out to shake hands, sign autographs, share stories and meet fellow musicians. In July 2011, Michael McKean of Spinal Tap fame was on hand to meet Robbie Fulks.

Michael McKean chatting with Robbie Fulks after the show

Michael McKean and Robbie Fulks after the show

The empty stage, after the show

Concerts #214, 278, 487 - Tom Russell at the Neighborhood Church and McCabe's Guitar Shop (November 20, 1999 - November 29, 2008)

My love affair with Tom Russell's music started in 1995, when I bought from Rockaway Records in Los Angeles a compilation CD titled "Philo So Far - The 20th Anniversary Folk Sampler". After a few listens, I lost interest in this rather bland CD, but there was one song that really hit me hard - Tom Russell's "Box Of Visions". At that time, I had no clue who Tom Russell was, nor did I know any other song of his.

Fast forward four years to 1999 and "Box Of Visions" was still the only Tom Russell song I knew. But something made me grab my better half and drive 35 miles to see Tom at Pasadena's Neighborhood Church and I'm so glad I did. The concert was part of the appropriately named "Acoustic Music Series", produced by the late Ron Stockfleth, a folk music lover who single-handedly ran a successful series of concerts that sadly ended with Ron's untimely passing.


Tom took the stage accompanied by guitarist Andrew Hardin, who dazzled everyone with his fast, powerful and precise picking. But it was Tom's songs and delivery that took center stage. His songs were pure Americana, and although new to me, they were instantly accessible and likeable.

Andrew Hardin

Twelve years after the show, I can tell with certainty that Katy Moffat, a singer of some renown, made an appearance that night, but did she open the show with a set of her own or was she only Tom's guest for a song or two? That I can't tell. Nor do I remember much about her performance

Katy Moffatt

In September 2002, I caught Tom Russell again, this time at McCabe's in Santa Monica. Once again, Tom was backed up by Andrew Hardin, a stellar guitarist who added an element of virtuosity to Tom's exquisite songwriting and once again, Tom had a guest, who this time happened to be none other than Dave Alvin, his long-time collaborator and personal friend."California Snow" was the best song of the evening.

Dave Alvin

On November 29, 2008, I went to McCabe's for yet another Tom Russell concert. Andrew Hardin was no longer with Tom. Instead, I was introduced for the first time to guitarist Michael Martin, who just like Andrew, complemented Tom very well. Together, they played a perfect concert, complete with love making on Navajo rugs, cockfighting champions, memories of Dave Van Ronk and aging boxers.

Concert #598 - The Refugees at McCabe's Guitar Shop (July 23, 2011)

The Refugees are a perfect example of a musical ensemble that is greater than the sum of its parts. Not that there's anything wrong with the "parts", namely Wendy Waldman, Cindy Bullens and Deborah Holland, three fine artists whose musical resumes speak for themselves. I seriously doubt, though, that either of them, performing solo, could put on a show that is as funny, as entertaining and even as good musically as their combined effort as the Refugees.

At times, I couldn't tell whether I was attending a comedy show with occasional musical interludes, or the other way around. But either way, it was fun. Their humor appeared to be spontaneous and it generated a lot of laughter in the room. Of the three, Wendy was the most verbose, followed by Cindy and Deborah, in that order. But the singing and playing duties were shared pretty much equally. Here's how they all pitched in:

Wendy: Vocals, acoustic guitar

Cindy: Vocals, mandolin & acoustic guitar

Deborah: Vocals, electric bass & accordion

The strength of the Refugees lies in their songwriting and singing. There wasn't a single bad song in their set. Their voices were superb, both individually and collectively, their harmonies were gorgeous.


The highlights of the show were the beautifully sung "Save The Best For Last" and "Unbound".

L to R: Deborah, Wendy, Cindy (McCabe's, July 23, 2011)

The set list

Poster in the window at McCabe's