Monday, September 26, 2005
Michelle Shocked at The Basement
Not my favorite venue and things didn't get off on a great footing, what with getting gouged for a third rate meal and booze, but at least it gets you a decent seat. The support act's sound was so muddy that I couldn't even make out her name never mind her lyrics, which is a poor state of affairs for a singer/songwriter. Maybe it was something to do with the PC that she played and sang through. Her guitar playing and harmonising with loops was impressive but ultimately didn't make up for the poor sound.
Michelle Shocked arrived on stage with normal fanfare, strummed a chord and....... nothing. A bit of fiddling with connections, still nothing, she said "thank you and goodnight" and walked off. Cords were replaced and after about 10 minutes the show got on the way.
Fortunately she has the personality and showpersonship to overcome such fuck-ups and proceeded to give a truly fabulous performance. Admittedly most of the audience were true believers (in more that one sense)and she gave us a blend of the new with tracks off her 'divorce album' and tex-mex album, and everything the audience wanted from earlier material. Not afraid of speaking her mind, in this current climate she could expect a visit from immigration for encouraging the audience to do likewise.
Michelle Shocked arrived on stage with normal fanfare, strummed a chord and....... nothing. A bit of fiddling with connections, still nothing, she said "thank you and goodnight" and walked off. Cords were replaced and after about 10 minutes the show got on the way.
Fortunately she has the personality and showpersonship to overcome such fuck-ups and proceeded to give a truly fabulous performance. Admittedly most of the audience were true believers (in more that one sense)and she gave us a blend of the new with tracks off her 'divorce album' and tex-mex album, and everything the audience wanted from earlier material. Not afraid of speaking her mind, in this current climate she could expect a visit from immigration for encouraging the audience to do likewise.
Friday, September 09, 2005
Ten Little New Yorkers
Just finished reading Kinky Friedman's latest page turner '10 Little New Yorkers'. As usual it's a delightfully irreverent romp crammed with Kinky's trademark one-liners, such as "The cat was a free-form fundamentalist who'd once been a Baptist until she realised they didn't hold 'em under long enough." There's enough music references to justify a mention in this music blog.
Not quite in the same class as "A Case of Lone Star" in which lines from Hank Williams songs are left as clues by the perp. Got to admire someone who describes Garth Brooks as the anti-Hank.
Not quite in the same class as "A Case of Lone Star" in which lines from Hank Williams songs are left as clues by the perp. Got to admire someone who describes Garth Brooks as the anti-Hank.
Thursday, September 08, 2005
It's a Banjo
I have managed to get a loan of this year's hippest, most happening instrument, a banjo. I'm in the process of cleaning it up and putting some strings on it. It's got a sticker on it with the name 'Sheltone', but I haven't been able to turn up any information about it other than it was bought at a car boot sale in the north of England 20 years ago.
Guess I'll have to start a banjo meme
Guess I'll have to start a banjo meme
