Eric Taylor was on Austin City Limits last night and I was reminded how many great performances there were on that show week after week. For me, two shows really stand out: Stevie Ray Vaughn and the Allman Brothers. SRV played with so much feeling so effortlessly that it seemed like he was drawing inspiration and grace right out of the air -- if there is a muse, I experienced it's manifestation.
What about you? What are the great shows? Have you "discovered" new music you didn't hear before? Are you addicted?
Eric Johnson - I could tell what a monster player he was with the sound off just by looking at his hands and when I turned the sound on...wow.
The Subdudes were terrific - the drummer played a single tamborine with his hands and something that looked like a riding crop and he grooved better than most players with trap sets I've heard. Accordian, guitar, great combination.
Pat and Barbara were a hometown band here in Madison Wi. I followed them back when they were Pat McDonald and the Essentials, from the very early days through their trip to howiewood. As the Essentials, they had a hugely talented guitar player and drummer, before splitting off as a duo.
Frankly, I liked the band better than the duo. Although "My future's so bright" and a few other hits were enjoyable, I think the number of song choices they had were limited because it was just the two of them. I think they could have done more great things if they'd kept at least the guitarist and drummer.
David Byrne was excellent after "look Into the Eyball" came out. Other notables are John Prine, Waylon Jennings, Steve Winwood, and Rodney Crowe, Tom Waits, Bela Fleck, John Hammond, and too many more. But SRV 2 was just wicked good, and yes, "effortless" describes the performance best. My jaw hits the floor every time I see it.
I'll always remember Timbuk 3's performance. They were a tremendously underappreciated duo. Most folks don't remember them for anything other than their one mainstream hit. Pat & Barbara's presence in the music scene is sorely missed.
The the Tribute to Townes Van Zandt was the best because of the sheer collection of talent on one stage. Guy Clarke, Lyle Lovett, Crystal Gayle and a great many others.
Steve Earle's tribute song, Fort Worth Blues, was so heart felt it had both my wife and I choking up, and when the camera panned right, showed Patty Larkin completely dissolved in tears listening to Earle. You just don't see Music draw emotion more powerfully than that.
Also, got chills watching SRV on ACL, as at several points it seemed he was the instrument and the music was playing him. Haven't seen anything like it before or since.
Also the SRV tribute was awesome, when all the current greats like Buddy Guy, Clapton, Albert King said things like, "we're pretty good" but Stevie was like magic". They were exactly right. Clapton essentially gave it up to Stevie, saying his own playing couldn't come close to SRV's.
Ozfly...I like some Talking Heads, but didn't care for the movie "Stop Making Sense" very much. So, I was not expecting great things from his ACL concert. I was very surprised. He was fun, inventive, intelligent (goes without saying, really), casual, and seemed to be thoroughly enjoying himself.
I thought the Townes Van Zandt Tribute show from a few of years ago was remarkable. Also, one from late 80's or early 90's- a full hour of Leonard Cohen with an amazing collection of supporting musicians..........
Ahem, Shelby Lynne. I don't know where the rest of you are coming from, but I was transfixed. Glad my wife wasnt around. ;-) BTW, Shelby's sister will be on the show in a few weeks:
http://www.pbs.org/klru/austin/tvschedule/
As far as music is concerned, I expect my favorite to be the upcoming appearance by Los Lobos, October 26, with music from their new album.
Pbb, you raise a good point. When I watch performances like these, the sound system itself becomes far less important -- I focus on the musicians themselves and their performances. The music flows with them. That can't be duplicated on our audio-only systems. Is that maybe the biggest reason for "upgrade fever"? Hmmm ...
Neil Young did a great Austin show with the International Harvesters a few years back. It was great to hear him do "Are There Any More Real Cowboys" for the cowboys (not too many in that crowd; pity).
The Second show SRV did is magic! To bad the DVD is just a portion of both shows on Austin City Limits. I would like to have both full shows on DVD. If you have not seen SRV on Austin city limits and you don't see the big deal of SRV it is well worth your time!
Too many to recall. Used to be: tune in Vermont PBS Saturday night, and there it was. Now, my son has satellite tv, so many useless channels, I can't find anything. I believe that tapes are available. Assuredly, they must be on DVD by now. What is the best source for video recordings. R. Skaggs, Steve Goodman, that whole Texas blues thing, too many names to recall, Asleep at the Wheel, Bill Monroe, seem to recall some Zydeco. Such great memories... who needs crazy super high-end equipment when you can get lost in performances like that? The music shines through, never mind ------- microdynamics and inner ------- detail! Good day.
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