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Best Live Shows 2006 ?

This year has started out for me with some great live music. First it was John Prine. Touring his latest (Grammy winning) album "Fair and Square" and with no hesitation to play classics from 30 years ago, this was one hell of a show. To quote Mr Prines' acceptance speech: "I didn't expect to be up here. I showed up because I got nominated. All the other nominees are sitting at home in my record collection." Great talent dosent always mean a big head.

Next was a strange visit from guitar/experimental music pioneer Robert Fripp. I expected STRANGE and thats what I got. "Words and Soundscapes". Very weird fellow I would venture to opine, but this was not unexpected. Still glad to have spent time with a man responsible for some of the greatest music to ever warp my young mind. I think he will be touring soon with the latest incarnation of King Crimson which will include Adrian Belew. I wont miss that one.

Last night was more of a surprise for me. I went to see a less known act called "Hayseed Dixie". Search their website to learn the story of Barley Scotch and the boys, how they discovered some ACDC albums and how it changed their lives up in Deer Lick Holler. Their first album is called "A Hillbilly Tribute to ACDC". All banjos, mandolins and fiddles cranking out rock favorites like you have never heard before. I suspected from the cds that they would be good, but these guys were hotter than two dollar pistols. This band was laying down some of the hottest licks, there were times I fully expected the mandolin to simply burst into flames! Anyone who has seen this band will tell you they are a blast!

Now I am looking forward to seeing one of rock/blues greatest legendary guitarists, Johnny Winter. This show will be in an old converted movie theatre where the worst seat is better than most good seats you might score at other venues. "Johnny Winter And Live" from 1970 (I think) contains blues and rock guitar that set a standard of reference for my young mind. For me he is up there with the best so this promises to be another great show at The Neighborhood Theatre.

Things are really looking up as far as live music in my area, hope everyone gets out and supports live acts when you can. Its gunna be a great year.

PS...Subdudes fans, "Behind the Levee" is out and its a good one...great live band and they are touring this year...
blkadr
dgarretson
2,599 posts
 
Rustler, I hope you're joking about Billy Bragg. Usually 50% playing and 50% self-aggrandizing twaddle between songs at his concert. Last concert of his I saw was an audience full of jr. marketing executives hanging on every lame word like lemmings. Can't guess how he charmed Woody's family into giving up unpublished lyrics for the Mermaid Ave project.

Dave
vinylvin
146 posts
 
I went to see Buckethead at the Paradise in
Boston. Wow! this guy just tore up the place.
All business, came out played the best guitar
I've ever seen for 2 1/2 hours. Amazing.
rustler
135 posts
 
Dave,
I really love Billy Bragg, but I must say the audience wasn't up to the levels of radical/progressive hipness I had hoped for. I talked with Billy at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Woody Guthrie conference when he premiered his Woody Guthrie songs without the lame backing of Wilco. By himself, those songs were electrifying: moving, powerful, all the good stuff. If i had only heard the craptacular Wilco versions, I'd be very disappointed.

Just because you're going forward doesn't mean that I'm going backwards!

russ
mcrosier
61 posts
 
Hello,

I really enjoyed Matt Haimovitz performing at the Black Sheep Inn with the world group Constantinope and with U-Cello (4-cellos). Great night of fabulous music. Started with a talk from Haimovitz about the night's music being inspired by Bartok's trip to Turkey. A d-j mixed Bartok's field recordings in with their playing and it took my breath away. An amazing show in an intimate atmosphere.

matthew
fotis_k
128 posts
 
My wife saw Michael Bolton last night (07-14-'06) and swears it was the best concert she has ever seen.
How can this be?
This is not a joke.
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