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Laura MmmmmmmmmmmmVULA - - - a woman at the top of her game, brimming with confidence and portraying her emotion into song.
Daniel Johnston, Kimmel Center, Philadelphia, PA 11-18-12
People have their bucket lists. Daniel Johnston was on mine.
I have desired to see Daniel perform for years and it was worth the wait.
On a stage that was built for orchestras Mr. Johnston arrived with his friend (the guitar player) and began with Jealous Guy. And frankly, John would have loved it. The crispness of a straightforward guitar coupled with Daniels' heart vocalizing perfection. A song brought to a level of beauty not heard since John's voice graced our presence.
I've always felt that musicians have an incredible appreciation for each other and that can certainly be found on the number of people who have covered Daniel Johnston's songs - Guster, M. Ward, Tom Waits, Oasis, Bright Eyes,Wilco, Karen O and the kids and Pearl Jam ( to name a few).
Daniel played for just under an hour in a perfect acoustical setting -
Jealous Guy (John Lennon cover)
Walking the Cow
Grievances
Life in Vain
Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Your Grievances
Hey Joe
You've Got to Hide Your Love Away (Beatles cover)
The Sun Goes Down on Me
Living Life
True Love Will Find You in the End
With lyrics like "And where are you going to? Flip on your TV and try to make sense out of that" is genius. Daniel Johnston is an artist of ginormous talent. His music reeks of simplicity and yet has stature and depth.
Countless musicians and like folk have discovered Daniel Johnston and yet the masses may never know him. In many cases like this I may prefer to keep his hallowed music to myself, but I cannot help but surmise what a better world we would have should the world grasp Daniel Johnston's lyrics and embrace them.
Ian Hunter World Cafe Live, Philadelphia, Pa 9-13-12
A musical legend who's musical career started in the 1950's and is still going strong at 73.
When an artist has songs easily recognized by the masses - they are a legend, All the Young Dudes, Cleveland Rocks, rock anthems if ever there were; performed by Mr. Ian Hunter. This was a fun show, a rock and roll show, a down and dirty let's play guitars and do rock show. Mr. Hunter was doing what he knows best, playing the keys, jammin' on his guitar with his harmonica soulfully joining in.
The audience came to rock. Came to anthem this show out, and as cheesy as a group of aging rockers (the audience, not the band) were; when All The Young Dudes was played, it was a beautiful, beautiful thing...right dude, great dude?
Ian has a signature sound. The endings of his songs seem to reverberate with life. His keyboard notes echoing in your bones, your rock n roll bones.
The show was a joyful show. Mr. Hunter's tunes have an endearing, timeless quality that is not found everywhere. Pop or commonality has it's place and Ian has found that place, in his rock anthems. It is time for the world to listen and hear those songs as they live and breathe simplicity.
"move over cause your standing in my light" Ian Hunter
Great Lake Swimmers at World Cafe Live, Philadelphia, PA 9-6-2012
I have long anticipated seeing Tony Dekker's Great Lake Swimmers and tonight it was to be. Tony walked out onto center stage, acoustic guitar in hand, and began playing On the Water. I think there is more hope in Tony's songs then then he may realize....we just need to listen.
Great Lake was opening for Patrick Watson with the majority present to see Patrick. Those that were able to catch Great Lake loved them and many discovered GLS as they put on a fun and lively performance becoming stronger with each song.
All of the band members showcased their talents; Miranda on violin with her bright red hair and matching dress exceeded only by her red hot fiddle playing. Greg (wearing a Maple Leafs tee in FLYERS country?!?!) melodically and rhythmically maintaining the heart beat of the band while glances to upright bass player Bret maintained the integrity of each song. Erik playing on guitar/banjo was set back on the stage and was a bit difficult to get a read on him, but there was no denying his presence.
Tony's lyrics are a study of how we should live our lives and with the passing of each song, the audience was getting it. GLS did what few bands have the courage to attempt and successfully pull off...7 of the 10 songs played were off of their April 2012 release.
One line I just love of The Great Exhale is "and the world stops spinnin when you stop spinnin". Catching live music tends to stop us from spinning.
Highlights were many, but the title cut - New Wild Everywhere was my highlight, this is worthy of a life anthem.
Catch them live if you can and most definitely give them a listen. Cheers!
Dispatch at World Cafe Live, Philadelphia, PA 8-24-2012
Every now and again one discovers music that is somehow more then music and is, dare I say spiritual, and DISPATCH'S performance at the Free at Noon made me feel like part of the DISPATCH family.This band is just ONE of a zillion reasons to love music and to seek out good new music. New being defined as new to you!
This show was at capacity and the crowd was more then stoked to see them. The band joked that; "we didn't know what to expect, but we didn't think there would be real people singing, dancing and clapping". I wanted to shout back thanks for playing music to sing and dance and clap too!
These guys were not messing around and the smiles and laughs as the audience more then showed their appreciation for their performance was only matched by the bands passion and enthusiasm in performing.
Every song was more then a show highlight. the new songs were executed beautifully and had harmonies that had me longing to hear them (the harmonies) again and these songs could have used the signature DISPATCH extended jam sessions..
The new songs performed were - Circles Around the Sun, Not Messin' and Get Ready Boy.
The performance of The General and Elias were spiritual - I really don't have words that will work to describe them. The audience singing along words like "go now you are forgiven" repeatedly and "I see your boys and when they look up, You know I think they got their mother's eyes, 'cause she looks so proud, she looks so happy".
Wikipedia categorizes these guys as reggae, flamenco, funk, ska, folk, rock and rap....I categorize them as beautiful, downright beautiful. Loved this show.
Band of Horses @World Cafe Live Philadelphia, PA, 8-17-2012
Selah Sue put on a warm and rousing set of three songs. Songs that seemed to rise up from her very being and resonate with guts and soul.
Band of Horses was on track and did a fun wake-up set that had folks singing along and swaying to the sounds. It's great when a band is having a good time and they certainly were as they introduced some new songs and crowd favorites like The Great Salt Lake. The song Older written and performed by keyboardist Ryan was perfectly performed.
Many artists who play World Cafe' Free at Noon are pleasantly surprised by not only the turnout and intimacy of the venue, but of the fan appreciation and this set was no exception.
Alexi Murdoch @ Sixth and I Historic Synagogue, Washington DC, 10-18-2011
This is the third time this year I caught Alexi. His music is real, his music is Alexi communicating love and truth. It's like listening to someone with great wisdom and experience and not so much sing or play for you as much share with you.
The stage was set. Alexi's acoustic, hollow body, violin and his small boxed accordion instrument. An accompanying trombone player who worked some very light mixing of sorts and a versatile percussionist.
This is the way to see Alexi. Stripped down to minimal instruments and players.
The "intro" listed on the set list was a great lyrical masterpiece; words that welcomed you to his music, words that gave you troubles and hopes.
Seeing Alexi perform is not so much about a show or concert as much as gaining tranquility in life and remembering what is important - people/love/time. The more I learn about Alexi and his music the more I enjoy life and it's small appreciations and I am thankful for this friend that Alexi shares musically with us.
It's interesting to watch him tune his guitar and fiddle with the tuning. It is a joy to see the details he puts into this. It's like breathing....just enjoying the back and forth of the tuning. When he does this (and remember I've seen him do it at three different shows this year), it's like you are sitting on a porch with someone watching the clouds roll by. Purpose is that moment and that moment alone- Tune on Alexi, tune on!
Highlights include - Anything he performed that I did not know including the intro and two of the encores. Alexi going directly from Segue to All my Days was about as natural of a transition as you will ever hear. Slow Revolution which is a song that is heavy on my playlist and Lay My Body Down- he totally cut lose on this one vocally and he blew us away.
Hope you get to catch him.
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