Nephew in the Yellow Hat

Halloween 2008

Brief histories of many things from the last few months that I never got to write about (part 1)

Wilco with Andrew Bird, 

Tanglewood, 8.12.08
In Attendance: Fletch, Bob, Jeremy, and Niki

Wilco is my favorite band on the planet, and dare I say, the best live band on the planet? Maybe the best band on the planet? Every time I see them my opinion on this matter gets stronger. Sure, the absolutely gorgeous surroundings and perfect outdoor-summer night atmosphere didn't hurt. But that should take nothing away from Wilco's excellent set- maybe a bit too heavy on the Summerteeth for me but I'm not complaining. Wildly enthusiastic crowd, excellent seats- a near perfect concert experience. 

Andrew Bird's opening set was lovely as always but got a bit lost in the then-empty shed- Not much of a crowd for a 6:30 opening set. Had to laugh when my friend who was out on the lawn and couldn't see the stage asked me how many violin players were playing. 

The two hour drive home at midnight was not fun but I would absolutely go back to Tanglewood for a show like this.

Sox vs. Rangers

8.13.08
Sox 8 Rangers 4
In attendance: Kristen

Not much notable about this game aside from the fact that we sat among what might have been the geekiest drunk crowd I've ever encountered. Lots of loud talk about cell phones and computers and in the 8th inning, an impromptu acapella singing of the Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego theme song. No joke.

Bill Frisell
Cambridge YMCA Theater, 8.16.08
In Attendance: Brian

Brian Blade Fellowship Band
Scullers Jazz Club, 11.6.08
In attendance: Anna

I have found live jazz in Boston to be challenging for one reason- the crowds. Maybe this isn't limited to Boston but I find them to be the most smug, self- important crowds in all of the live music that I see. Lots of over-excessive nodding and grunts/laughs of acknowledgement during solos, as if they are in on some joke with the musicians (and making sure EVERYONE knows it). It always makes me think of the David Sedaris story where he recounts the terrifying experience of attending jazz shows with his father, who would obnoxiously tap his foot and shout out "Blue Rondo a la Turk!" requests at Dave Brubeck concerts. I can deal with drunk guys talking and bumping into me at rock shows. For some reason I have a harder time dealing with jazz snobs.

Anyway, these 2 shows were notable exceptions and made me wonder if I've been too harsh and missing out as a result. The completely under-publicized Bill Frisell show was a truly unique experience. Last time I saw him was at a sold out Berklee Performance Center, this time was in an old, run down, sweltering theater with 100 or so people in attendance. Frisell played solo with his trusty loop pedals, with which he continues to do amazing things despite the current ubiquity of that technology. Like everything Frisell does, this show was completely different than every other time I had seen him. A hypnotizing performance.

I first saw Brian Blade when he played drums for Bill Frisell in 1999. I was completely knocked out by his drumming and had always hoped to see him again, and for some reason, it took me another 9 years. In the standard jazz club setting of Scullers, he played to a packed and very enthusiastic house. I'm not sure how to describe him without sounding corny, but this is one of the most soulful musicians I have ever seen. And by soulful I don't mean soul music- I mean he seems to be pouring his soul into every second of his drumming. He is coming back for a big Wayne Shorter birthday concert at Berklee soon, which I was thinking of going to despite the fact that it is sure to be a jazz elitist explosion. Then again, I think I might just keep the memory of this spectacular show fresh in my mind instead. 

Wow (revisited)

11/4/08, Copley Square