Andrew Bird @ Sixth & I Historic Synagogue, Washington DC, 12-8-2010

Gezelligheid~ is a Dutch abstract noun which, depending on context, can be translated as convivial, cosy, fun, quaint, or nice atmosphere, but can also connote belonging, time spent with loved ones, the fact of seeing a friend after a long absence, or general togetherness.

Mr. Bird titled these intimate shows as a "gezelligheid" and on this frigid, windy, December evening an intimate evening of creativity and mind expansion was needed...the only thing missing was a crackling fire.

This is my my first Bird show and my first attendance at Sixth & I Historic Synagogue.
Both entities win!

Bird, he wanted to play, he is on the top of his craft, he is creating, living, expressing and as he experiments with what he knows best (and music is what he knows) the outcome is like perfected construction, the layers intoxicating and at times overwhelming within their own creativity, but the overwhelming complexity is truly a creative positive exercise for one's mind.

Andrew Bird is an artist and watching him perform is artistry for one's ears and the sounds are not of the normal construction one hears.

There was an addition of Plasticity and the completion of other songs that may not have been in complete form before, but this music is fluid in nature and the production is not of a repetitious nature, but like wind blowing things here and there, but yet with power.

Sixth and I Historic Synagogue is worth a visit in of itself and I could not believe the intimacy of this venue truly an intriguing experience.

The fun of watching/listening/rubbing shoulders with Mr. Bird is an experience not only worth retelling, but also revisiting should the opportunities arise.

The Frames @ the TLA, Philadelphia, PA 11-19-2010

It was like Christmas morn', the waxing moon brought about an early gift in the form of The Frames opening tour night.

Every song, every moment, was a glorious adventure of living a musical fantasy with Glen and the band as they laughed and smiled with each other throughout the set, but most noticeably at the close of each song.

Glen remarked how terrified they were about performing songs they had not performed in a long time. He also mentioned how they had performed the longest sound check they could ever remember and then took a nap!

They played a few more then the set-list indicates. Colm mentioned they had planned on 90 minutes (1st show) and ended up doing 2+ hours. It was apparent that Glen wanted to go longer and was just enjoying himself like a child unwrapping Christmas presents in the form of songs.

For those attending the shows-- be ready to have a special evening of classic Frames. As the tour warms up and the band loosens up, the shows are going to get tighter and tighter, not that this show was not tight, it was.

Highlights for me- Star Star, Disappointed and all of the band's foray into brief glimpses of Neil Young, Pure Imagination, Redemption Song and so on.

I am glad they are a down to earth group of musicians that make you feel as if you are part of the band and act as if you know them all.

The band's fun-loving attitude is infectious. I am just trying to figure out how get to their next show.

Roger Waters @ the Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA 11-8-2010

In 1980 I purchased the double album, The Wall, upon it's release and with a group of friends was able to get tickets for the NY show. Those friends did not come through with the tickets and now 30 years later a desire to see some, any, semblance of Pink Floyd in my lifetime has been achieved.

Roger Waters performing The Wall in it's entirety. Sure we are missing key people and David Gilmour's guitar work although duplicated spot on, was missed by this long-time fan.

I had obstructive view seats, but was excited to see the show.

During the intermission Roger had pictures of people who were victims of political and war events. I think most fans, did not feel the impact that these visuals brought about, but for me they were beyond emotional as I read name after name and viewed picture after picture of loved ones who's lives were gone due to anger and hate. The images of these individuals drove home not just the pain of war, but primarily of love, love from the ones who had lost friends, fathers, brothers and husbands.

Visually the show was amazing, from the wall being built, to the films cast upon the wall and the various enlarged props during the show.

I felt an emotional pulls throughout the show, but none came as strong as towards the end of the show as I wanted to shout out and did....TEAR DOWN THE WALL, TEAR DOWN THE WALL, TEAR DOWN THE WALL!!

This was not a concert of typical fare. People loved the rock anthems of "Run Like Hell" and "Comfortably Numb" and their production was over the top as the rock anthems they are, but the truth of the show was, for me, caught in the lyrics of ALL the songs and ALL the parts duplicated as I so joyfully recalled as I learned the lyrics when listening to the album.

Many people have been quoted as to shedding a tear at the end of the show, I for one did not, maybe it was the obstructed view, but I think it was more of my desire to TEAR DOWN THE WALL then desiring The Wall to be torn down.

One EskimO @ The World Cafe Live, Philadelphia, PA 4-5-2010

What a band, and what an "Amazing" disc. Live they come off a little more studioesque then I would like and I would prefer a rougher true to form cut without the computer generated sound mixes.
That aside, they truly are enjoying their craft and performing it.

The World Cafe is a great venue and catching these guys there on a Monday night was a hoot.

Very little interaction with the audience, more of a performance show and not because of the video shown during the set. It's just the way they roll....they play.

Great kudos for instrumentation and wherewithal to get their intricate sound out.

This is a band you will hear from if you don't know them yet.

David Bazan @ the First Unitarian Church Philadelphia, PA 3-22-10

David and crew came out about 9:50 PM and played till just after 11. I was once again stretching my music knowledge by attending an artist's show of which I know only his latest release; Curse Your Branches" which is an amazingly lyrical disc.

Most of the songs performed were done to appease the vocal masses for the die-hard PTL (Pedro the Lion) fans and here, he did not disappoint.

I'm still trying to figure out his mass appeal. Did the people here really get the lyrics, I mean they must have to attended. The crowd was mostly younger 25 somethings or others and in my opinion we were all commiserating on this cold/wet/spring evening on life and it's twists and turns.

It was a good show with the song selection building a crescendo through-out the evening. Highlights were the pop infused Please Baby Please, Bad Diary Days, Penetration and closing the show with an orchestral moving version of In Stitches.

I came in a fan of Curse Your Branches and left a fan of PTL and his catalog.

Bruce Springsteen @ the Spectrum Philadelphia, Pa 10-13-2009

This review is not so much about music as it is a man. It was the late 70's when I discovered Bruce. Common ground , was what we 1st shared, but then it became stories. Fast forward to somewhere 'round 81. Springsteen was touring and we slept out for tickets at the Cherry Hill Mall, in a borrowed car. Drove those lined spaces at the mall all night long; daylight came and a little before opening a "list" appeared. The list of people who would not get 1st in line. The fact that Kim & I, noses pressed to the glass of the door did not matter when the Woolworths store unlocked. The four or so shows that were available sold out 10 minutes after the store opened and not even the list helped most. Bruce was a man of justice and sure enough Philly was getting some shows on the end around of the tour (does it really ever end?) and this time....Bruce had initiated a mail order system! For people like me!! I got 4 tickets, 1st level center @ the Spectrum. I don't remember any of it, well a little, like where we sat and that it was great. Then came Nebraska. One of my favorite albums of all time. And like Nebraska I drifted. It was to hard to go see Bruce, EVERYBODY went to see Bruce. Now it's 2005 and we are at war, Greetings is still getting heavy play; it's where I was weaned and Bruce puts out his 3rd solo record....Devils & Dust. Wow. A tour is coming and I am going to get a cup of coffee and beat everyone out for tickets whilst sitting at my desktop computer. I have the system beat. Sure I would love to see him in Philly, but Cleveland, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame....ROAD TRIP?! Yup, Cleveland tickets were scored and the trip was planned.

The Hall of Fame was great and worthy of more space, Springsteen was unreal as expected. I'll say this, his performance of Dream Baby Dream was my favorite performance of any live show to date. He sang it to us, instilled it in us and led us. TO BE CONTINUED...

Tracy Chapman @ the Keswick in Glenside, PA on 8-3-2009

This was a show of discovery for me to go beyond my self discovery of Tracy's music and dig deeper into her catalog of lyrics and find Tracy the lover and Tracy the musician who sings it as she sees it. I love the song Change and Behind the Wall is beyond words for me.

Contrary to a comment before I completed this post, my wife Margaret and I both thought the sound was crisp and clear. We sat about 10 rows from stage right. We generally think the Keswick's sound is above average in clarity and quality, this was evident with Gabby Moreno, the opener for Tracy who with just her guitar and her sultry romantic voice sounded dead on (we bought her disc)!

Tracy could do no wrong in front of this audience. A base of fans who adore her and everything she is. Tracy's musical talents and love for music shined as she utilized several gorgeous guitars, a drum box, bongos and a harmonica. Accompanied by a female drummer; Donna?, an electrical guitarist and a keyboard player her music was brought to life not so much as by the band but by Tracy herself.

Tracy was at ease and enjoying herself and even though the typical hecklers were ever present, she professionally ignored most (even the "nice ass" heckler) and played on which eventually kept most quiet. I was impressed with how well her new songs performed were received. I do not believe the audience was fully knowledgeable of them, but yet they were beautifully done and enjoyed by all.

She was a bit talkative and mentioned how challenging it was playing a new cover song for every gig, but this was held true on this night as they performedfor the 1st time a Sam Cooke classic Bring it On Home To Me. She also encouraged a friendly competition between the American and European audiences with the playing of "Sing For You".

To go into highlights from this show would be unfair given my unfamiliarity with many of the songs performed of which many of those unfamiliar songs are now becoming faves. I think she could have done herself well to shorten the time between the opener and perform a few more of the new songs. I don't think, if Philly is any indication that she will be ill received anywhere in the states....her fans are just happy to see her.

Tracy is a talented singer songwriter and I have always been intrigued by her early busking experience and wanted to be sure to see her if ever she should tour. This now accomplished, I recommend any fan of a singer songwriter format to catch her. Her lyrics are as beautiful as she is and spins the truth of life both lyrically and musically.

Setlist from memory
Baby Can I Hold You
Change
Across the Lines
Sing For You
Mountains O' Things
You're the One For Me
Save Us All
Bring It On Home To Me- Cover Sam Cooke
Subcity
Fast Car
Our Bright Future
Telling Stories
America
Say Hallelujah
Give Me One Reason
Talkin' 'bout a Revolution

Encore
She's Got Her Ticket
Promise