Hayes Carll is a Texas treasure. Great songs and an entertaining performance. He's a funny guy, telling hilarious stories both in banter and in song. Definitely the kind of guy you'd love to sit down with and have a beer. It was a great show. Band of Heathens, also fantastic, opened.
Couldn't miss the annual Christmas visit of Old 97's. And, thanks to KTSW, I got my tix for free! Great show, I had a primo location up front (unobstructed view of Rhett!), was able to get some good photos and video.
Too Far to Care
Hitchhike to Rhome
My Two Feet
Rhett's new song, don't know the name - I'm calling it The Last Thing I Need. He said he's considering putting it on his new solo album, starting that in a few weeks in Dallas with Salim Nourallah.
Back from my visit to NC, I headed out to Botticelli's to see Brent Adair, this time with Mike Dorrien on guitar and John Thomasson on stand-up bass. I took these photos and shot the video with my new Canon G10. The video turned out pretty good, and the audio is fine, since the volume wasn't as high as other shows I've been to recently. I got a little distracted talking to folks during the show, so I didn't shoot much video. More to come in the future.
I just got back from an early Christmas trip to visit my family in NC. Here are some pics (from my new camera) of my visit to Chapel Hill (home of my alma mater UNC) and Carolina Beach.
I'd been meaning to see Electric Touch since ACL. I bought their debut album and have been loving their hard rocking sound with a positive message. Check out the tunes below. I've been shooting with my new Flip MinoHD, still having some issues with the mic, depends on the room. And, did you know that YouTube let's you view in HD? These are embedded in HD quality, but any time you are on YouTube and there's an HD video, you can select that quality. Look right under the video to the right.
Love in our Hearts
Saved
Black Tie Dynasty opened. Love their Cure-like 80s feel (and the opening lyric on this song "It looks like a crime scene covered up with ice cream").
So, I'm working on my picks for Top 5 TX albums for the Year in Review issue of Texas Music. I've narrowed it down to 13. Any comments to help me whittle it down to 5? (They are listed in no particular order)
Old 97s - Blame It On Gravity Brent Adair - Ostrich Carrie Rodriguez - She Ain't Me Okkervil River - The Stand Ins Mother Truckers - Let's All Go To Bed Paul Minor - The Marfa Project Sheboygan - It's OK Say Yes Sorta - Sorta Mario Matteoli - Golden State Hayes Carll - Trouble in Mind Nelo - Nelo Electric Touch - Electric Touch The Steps - The Steps
Update: Couple of late additions that will likely be on many people's Top albums:
Alejandro Escovedo - Real Animal Future Clouds and Radar - Peoria
That brings it to 15. But, I need to be cutting, not adding, at this point!
I've seen just about all of them live this year, and what a great year it has been. Here's a few pics. Click the link to go the post about the shows:
Future Clouds and Radar is introducing their new CD Peoria with lots of gigs around town. They played an instore at Waterloo, then a gig at Mohawk later that night. They sounded great at both shows. Fantastic songs, great musicians. I'm testing out my Flip MinoHD. Video is really good, but I'm not pleased with audio. I may have to capture audio separately...
Sticks n Stones, a new Rolling Stones tribute band, is brought to you by members of Household Names and Sheboygan.
Guest Videographer Paul Minor gets up close and personal. He's not exactly as shy as I am about getting in their faces. Good camera work. This is Happy, a Keith song.
So, I've been on this kick where I just can't go out to one show in a night, a little concert ADHD. Last night, I started at Antone's for Aimee Bobruk and Craig Marshall. Then over to Hole in the Wall for the Sunday night festivities, a Paul Minor Presents event. Paul and friends played a few songs throughout the night, then Mario Matteoli and later Bryce Clifford. Definitely a good time and a great way to cap off a weekend.
Aimee Bobruk
A couple by Craig Marshall
Yes, I like "Afterthought." I've got him performing it several times on this site. But Paul does have lots of great songs.
This is my favorite song that Mario plays. It really showcases his lead guitar skills, lots of fun, high energy. I first remember seeing him play it at ACL a couple years back, and he tore it up last night, just like he did then.
So, I've done my share of bar hopping this weekend. Last night, I went out to see my friend Paul Minor play at Momo's. Paul was joined by Mario Matteoli, Cory Glaeser (Sheboygan), and Perry Drake (Shelley King Band) - some of the best musicians in town.
Got lots of good video, because the stage was pretty well lit.
Then, on the way home, I stopped at the Hole in the Wall, ostensibly to see Sheboygan (Cory hustled across town to play another gig). But, on stage just before Sheboygan was Snafu Kitties. I love this band. Fronted by a female piano player (Jessie England, also one of Nakia's Fresh-up Girls), they have tints of Ben Folds piano pop, but very different lyrically and vocally (probably 'cause she's a girl). I didn't get any good video because it is too dark at the Hole in the Wall for my small camera, but definitely check them out.
Here's some Sheboygan pix. Very cool, always fun, great songs. Love them!
Was lucky to be able to park myself on one block of Congress Avenue and see three great acts. First, I started out a Botticelli and saw my neighbor, Brent Adair, playing a lovely outdoor set. It was a little chilly, but with the heaters on the porch, things were pretty comfortable. Good people, good conversation... a delightful time.
Then, I walked two doors down to the Continental Club to see Fastball. I had planned to be at their show anyway, but got an email from my friend Kelly, who is Miles' wife, asking if I could help with the merch during the show. So, this is me and the merch.
Tony's fiancee Jennifer was also there, so I got a chance to break away from the table a few times. The Steps played before Fastball. They are the Austin band that won the Sound and the Jury contest for ACL Festival. Four high school kids who absolutely rock. They've got it all, the look, the sound, the skill, and the corresponding "too cool for school" attitude (they were pissed when the club's manager caught on to their "underage" status and confiscated their cocktails).
Last, but not least, there was Fastball. Always a great show, fun to watch, great songs. Love those guys. Good luck with the tour.
Wow, amazing, energetic performance. I decided to go at the last minute, not knowing the show was sold out. But, thankfully a lovely couple happened by about four songs in and sold me a ticket for $20! Thank you kind folks. You made my night. Now, back to the show. I had forgotten why I liked Ben Folds until being in his live audience again ... he played new songs from Way to Normal during the first part, including the fake versions released on the Internet. Ben said they were a joke at first, but then they starting liking them. He gave explanations and stories behind each one. Download them for free here. He rocked the old tunes during two encores playing hits from Ben Folds Five and Whatever and Ever Amen (except Brick). The crowd sang along all night.
The fake songs are as good as the originals. Shows that he can't like a bad song if he tried.
If you, too, have forgotten why you ever liked Ben Folds, take a look at these videos for a gentle reminder:
Perhaps you have stumbled upon this ole blog. New content can be found at the new site onthatnote.com. Please visit to find out more about the shows I see in and around Austin,
