TODAY'S FACT FROM THE FACT DEPARTMENT

The time allowed in your life between being judged "too young to know anything" and being judged "too old to know anything" is exactly 1.7 seconds. The More You Know.

Donny Osmond "Too Young," 'Here's Lucy' CBS-TV



The Kinks, "You Can't Win"

Read More

PHOTOS & SHOW REVIEW: BLACK JOE LEWIS AND THE HONEYBEARS @ THE NEPTUNE, SEATTLE 11/18/11

At last! I've been trying to get my butt to another show by cool Texan cats Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears since I first saw them last April at the Croc, and finally the stars aligned for me in the chilly snap of the November Seattle air last Friday evening. While I was on my way in the car to the Neptune Theater, I thought to myself, hey, you see a lot of shows, you, so why you like this band so much? I came up with Five Good Reasons, which is not at all like Lucy van Pelt's Five Good Reasons, although it could be if you wanna argue with me about it.

1. Their unique take on classic barroom rhythm & blues and rock n' roll. If there's anything I love, it's a band that can't be defined by just one label or one genre. Black Joe and crew could have a career based on doing the blues like so many have before them, safely and reverently walking the well-worn path. But instead, there is more of an open-door policy on what kind of influences the band throws into the mix, which is kinda brave. If you listen, you can hear Delta blues, Stax/Volt/Motown/Atlantic soul greats, Led Zeppelin, The Stooges, Bo Diddley, Hendrix, The Gories, Ty Segall, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, and other interesting folks rambling around in their songs. Kinda brave and kinda smart, because listening to and pulling from all kinds of music keeps you fresh and on yer toes.

2. They have a whole lot of fun, so you have fun. Between the dancing horn section, the racy/wild/humorous lyrics (I hope that "Bitch, I Love You" was inspired by Tourette's Guy, oh how I hope!), and the massive amounts of rock energy poured out from all onstage, everyone in the audience is smiling and shakin' bootz like fools by the end of the show.

3. Hardest working band in showbiz? Seven guys are in the band now, and they seem to have been touring nearly nonstop for the past five years. This is not the glamorous life -- it's a whole lot of very very very long and boring drives, crappy road food, stinky socks, and all of the rest of the traveling life's difficulties. This band has a solid work ethic: they know that they kick ass live, and they know that they are building a loyal audience out there, one gig at a time, and they are just going to keep keeping on.

4. They have a set of Texas Longhorns horns onstage: Not on a live cow, mind you.

5. They care about improving as musicians, and therefore they do improve. There's hardly anything more off-putting to me than rock musicians with hot-shit attitudes. Listen, Stiv Beethoven, I've been around since Ed Sullivan was mulling over the idea of having this freaky bunch of Liverpool longhairs on his show for a laugh. I've seen a lot, and seen too many musicians, from great big names to the lowliest busker, that think they are IT and don't appreciate the tremendous privilege it is to be able to create music and perform for people. They expect kudos for just showing up. I want to see growth, change, work, progress, and humility in artists (or anyone, really). Work hard, try your best, keep moving forward. Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears do this, and you can hear the positive results.

Me and my Five Good Reasons grabbed a bottled water at the Neptune and settled in down front for a great night of rockin' out and takin' pictures. I think Black Joe was even hotter this time out than at the Croc, and the buzz in the crowd built like a roaring ocean wave. Joe was spewing out lyrics so fast and furious that it was hard for me to make out the words most of the time, but the sound was good, bright, and blasty. We demanded two encores from the band and received them, including a manic version of the Trashmen's "Surfin' Bird." (If there is a non-manic version of "Surfin' Bird" I don't want to know about it.) Fun? Oh, yes!

(Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears Flickr set)

The holidays are coming up, right? Gift yourself and Black Joe and the Honeybears by purchasing this sweet deal: the band's two albums, Tell 'Em What Your Name Is and Scandalous!

Special thanks to Joe W. and see y'all next time!

Read More

DO THE CRUSHER

I can't say that I understand the appeal of pro wrestling at all. It might be the most stupendous waste of viewing time ever, unless you feel your life has been somehow enhanced by watching portly dudes in scanty outfits pretending to bash each other around.

Sadly, I remember all the names of all the big wrestlers in the Midwest from the '60s and early '70s which I DID NOT WANT TO WATCH on Channel 18 in Milwaukee. I can't remember anything else on Channel 18 other than I Love Lucy reruns and Speed Racer cartoons. Here's some vintage wrestling in "action." God. It's the Crusher vs. Mad Dog and The Butcher Vachon.




What I DO understand is how awesome this song is. Please to enjoy the Novas doing "The Crusher!"

Read More

TODAY'S CAR CONVERSATION FEATURING EZRA KOENIG AND "SMASHING PUMPKINS"

(The after-school conversation between Miss Nine and myself in the car today. Mr13 was recused, as he was at a birthday party.)


MissNine: (getting into the car at the pick-up line at school, noticing "One (Blake's Got A New Face)" by Vampire Weekend is playing on the radio, smiles) Hi Mom! Oh, that's nice -- I never get to hear this song much. What kind of music would you call this?

Me: Hmm. Well...kind of...world...um...

M9: Ezra is kind of yelpy there.

Me: Ya.

M9: (looking out the car window as we drive along) What kind of person would smash someone's pumpkin? That's so rude!

Me: Funny you mention that! Someone said the same thing online today. It's terrible, isn't it.

M9: Yes it is! Did you ever smash a pumpkin?

Me: Never. It always made me sad to see.

M9: Me too! Why would someone do that? Those pumpkins belong to little kids a lot!

Me: I guess people do that because they think it's funny or cool, they can make their friends think they are daring or something. Generally, a guy who would take someone's nice holiday decoration and smash it doesn't feel too good inside. There's some people who are so miserable they only feel better if everyone else is sad or unhappy too.

M9: That doesn't make any sense.

Me: I know.

M9: The worst thing would be if someone smashed a pumpkin that looked like Ezra form Vampire Weekend. I would be so mad.

Me: (smiling) Me too.

(painting of Ezra Koenig by matimoo)

Read More

SHOW PREVIEW: POSIES’ PERFECT POP RETURNS TO PAC NW

Here in Seattle, November weather is in full swing, with the relentless rainy grey skies and quickly-dimming daylight punctuated by bright blasts of pigment in the stunning red, rust, gold, and orange leaves seen clinging to trees or artfully resting on the pavement. There is something quite perfect, then, about power pop band the Posies returning to their native Northwest this week, as their music has always combined the melancholic with the beautiful, thoughtful yet playful, complex and pretty, color against darkness.

The Posies’ career has definitely taken the long and winding road since the band’s formation in Seattle in the late ‘80s: members have come and gone, labels changed, the group disbanded and dispersed across the globe, and gathered together again. Core songwriters Jon Auer and Ken Stringfellow’s gifts for combining hooks and harmonies have earned the Posies a permanent place in the hearts of rock fans raised on the Beatles, Big Star, and the Raspberries, and who appreciate the growth seen in the duo’s efforts as the band’s music deepens and draws from eclectic, fresh sources.

Their seventh and latest album on Ryko is the well-received  “Blood/Candy,” and will be featured along with an entire performance of 1993's "Frosting On The Beater" album as the Posies perform TONIGHT at 8PM at the Doug Fir Lounge in Portland, OR. ($15, 21+) and this Saturday night, November 19th, at Seattle’s Neptune Theater ($20, all ages), coincidentally and rather sweetly located in the bands’ original stomping grounds, the U-District. 


Don’t miss them, but do wear your raincoat.


The Posies, "Solar Sister," live on KEXP, Seattle WA, 4/16/10

(photo by Julian Ochoa, courtesy Ryko)

Read More

POEM: THE WHITE SCREEN OF DEATH

oh my cold grey metal fifteen-inch beast how I love you
I greet you in the morning with anticipation
ready to see what you bring to me
ready to groove with you all day and all of the night.

restart

click clack click clack

oh

no.

nonononono!

HOW

HOW!

could you do this?

to ME, your one and only?

ME, the one who protects you, fills you with delights?

YOU

YOU!!

bring to ME

the white screen of death

that glowing ghostly horror of failure which stops me

right

in

my

tracks.

YOU

have shit the bed.

is it me?

did I give you too much, too soon?

did I overload you with information and damage your delicate sensibilities?

perhaps so, perhaps so.

a thousand ghost crows now peck at my hair, cawing "DID YOU BACKUP? DID YOU BACKUP?"

oh shut up you vile opportunists; go steal tinfoil or something

my baby

is sick

and I long for its return from the land of the Geniuses

who tell me my warranty is in force

and the problem

is

unknown.

Read More

IT'S TIME, WISCONSIN: RECALL GOVERNOR SCOTT WALKER!

That's my simple message to the good folks in my home state right there. Today was the official beginning of the signature drive to recall divisive corporate shill Governor Scott Walker, and the success or failure of this effort will be felt by every state in the Union and will impact the 2012 Presidential outcome, which therefore influences the world.

It's a big deal.

Make no mistake: this is not going to be an easy task. In only two months, 540,208 legitimate signatures must be obtained, hand-signed, and collected in order to trigger a recall election. That is a lot of signatures in a state with only a little over 5.5 million people total, and a very short amount of time to get them.

Wisconsin still remains at present a very politically-divided state, with strong liberal and conservative camps that have fundamental differences of opinion. But in the case of Scott Walker, the fact that he aligned himself with the GOP doesn't even matter. No supporter of any political party should tolerate a corrupt leader who will use every dirty political trick in the book to advance the interests of power-mad billionaires who have rocket-boosted his or her career (I include Arizona Governor Jan Brewer here as well). This is the cancer that has infected our political system, in all branches at all levels. We cannot continue as a free society or any kind of functional democracy if we tolerate our country being sold to the highest bidder. That's no opinion, just plain fact. Just look at the the world around you.

I know that corruption is always a problem in any government or power structure, but the boldness in which it operates so openly now in America is shocking to me. They are bold because they know how far and how deep their influence is rooted, and they think there's nothing we can do about it now. But we can, and we must. Wisconsinites are going to have to put aside some of their differences now and agree to work together to make the recall happen. All of you deserve so much better than Scott Walker.

You can read a summary here of the man's"accomplishments" in office, because it is simply too much to write here. Jaw-dropping.

If you are a Wisconsin resident and eligible to vote, you may download, sign, and mail in a recall petition from here, attend one of the many scheduled recall events, or can choose to sign a petition from a door-to-door canvasser. But do be careful: opponents of the recall have already detailed plans to circulate petitions and then dump the signatures, as well as spread disinformation about who can and cannot sign a petition. Be sure the person who is asking you to sign is legit!

Scott Walker is a liar, and someone who has no problem whatsoever throwing all the citizens of his state under the bus. The consequences of his extreme, one-sided agenda are being felt in schools that are more crowded, under-staffed, and under-funded, increasing unemployment, and an increased level of vicious, hateful partisan politics that leave a horrible stain on my beautiful state.

Boot him out, Wisconsin. Sign now.

Video: "Wisconsin Can't Wait"

Read More

TMI

Too Much Information.

"TMI," in modern acronym slang, is generally offered towards another person who has told you far more details about some delicate personal matter than you are ready or willing to hear. For instance, a "TMI" should go towards parents who share their sexual/dating proclivities with their children (ewww), the friend who tells you about her bout with the flu in very graphic detail, or the stranger on the bus who sits next to you and asks you to look at some weird mole on the back of his neck. No, people, no. Tee em eye. But sometimes, you are the recipient of far more worrisome levels of TMI, and carry a weight that you never intended to bear, and should not.

I suppose my thoughts here began to be prompted by the appalling, tragic details coming out now from the Penn State scandal. To me, all those who knew or suspected that child sexual abuse was occurring had both a moral and legal duty to go to the police and follow up until the perpetrator was arrested and the children were returned to safety. To me, there is no argument, no question, and no hesitation. But to them, all those who saw first-hand, all those who were told about it, all those who knew in their guts something was very, very wrong, to all those men at Penn State that had plenty of information to know that Jerry Sandusky was a serial sexual predator of young boys, it seems like it was all just a horrific case of TMI to be dealt with as minimally as possible, with the hope that it would just go away.

Too Much Information.


Sometimes it is the case that you hear something that is so heavy as to be almost impossible to process. There is that person in all of us who, to survive, will want to reject knowing, as to not have to deal with the fall-out of being involved. Humans can be very adept indeed at compartmentalizing painful information into manageable, hazy, easy-to-forget chunks, tossed way way back into consciousness, perhaps to never be thought about again. We make a decision at the time when we first hear: to act or to run away. There are some things we can't take on. There are some things we can. Where the line is depends on circumstances, of course, but more crucially, character.

Sometimes it is the case that you hear something that is more of a nagging, ongoing worry rather than a direct issue. How many times in your life have you known that someone was struggling and losing a battle with substance abuse or depression? Plenty, I'm guessing. What is the right choice, or even the possible choice when you suspect someone may harm themselves, immediately or in that excruciatingly-slow manner that is even more cruel? Do you wonder why they told you about their problems? Is it a cry for help, or do they just want to take you down for the ride to Hell? Both?

Sometimes it is the case when you know that someone is, to be blunt, no damn good, and can bring nothing but trouble and misery to others. They've got enough closet skeletons to fill 100 graveyards, keep piling them in day after day, year after year, but for whatever reasons, no one opens the doors. Do you wait for karma to kick in, exquisite fate, or eventual slip-up? Do you wait for someone else to say something first? Do you have an obligation to warn, or do you mind your own business and let the cards fall as they may for those unfortunately involved? Would you have wanted someone to warn you? Or do you think you would not have listened anyway, or been offended, or "killed the messenger?"

What do you do when the chains of TMI become heavier with each step you take? Can you ever really be freed of them once you have them anyway?

I don't expect to ever really know the answers.

The Kinks, "Too Much On My Mind"

Read More

JUST ANOTHER REASON I CAN'T STAND HER: OPRAH'S FAVORITE THINGS, 2011

Unbearable. Unbearable narcissistic Jesus-complexed misery-exploiting megalomanic. I'm quite sure I could think of more descriptions to add to the pile of "Things I Think Oprah Winfrey IS," but let's move on. Today, I bring you to another thing that made me roll my eyes yet again: the annual "Oprah's Favorite Things" Christmas list for this year.

"I love to give gifts that pamper and indulge—and make a person feel really special."

By Oprah Winfrey | November 09, 2011

Sigh. It's not like I expect Oprah to live in the world with the rest of us ever again, but I dunno, man...this year her list, offered up to her cultish followers, seems just so...gross. Yes, we know, O...you are super-rich and you poop gold, which you then stuff in Stedman's mouth so he doesn't say anything bad about you, but WERE YOU AWARE that there is a WORLDWIDE ECONOMIC CRISIS? Maybe you think this is like the Great Depression, where the dirt-poor public paid a nickel or dime to go see a Busby Berkeley or Fred-and-Ginger film so for an hour or two they could forget their miseries and look at Hollywood fairytale rich people in sparkly gowns? Or maybe you are just an ass.

When so many are so damn broke they don't know how they are going to keep themselves or their families going one more month, they don't really feel like hearing about...

-- a $22 chicken pie;

-- a $412 cashmere robe paired with $238 cotton pajamas;

-- $50 "mini-cocottes" to "make single-serving mac 'n cheese;" 

-- $60 makeup palettes;

-- a $13 bar of soap;

-- an ugly-ass $70 Christmas ornament with a painting of your stupid dog on it;

-- a $30 milk frother;

-- a $300 bottle of champagne, complete with this vile schmooze/brag quote: "Jay-Z has a head for business, a soul for poetry, and a taste for luxury. He sent me this glorious Champagne, and I've since sent 25 cases to friends."—Oprah;

-- a $45 candle;

-- a friggin' Josh Groban CD;

-- and a $595 tote bag that looks like I could have bought it at Ross for $12.99.

No one is saying you can't live like the Queen of All Shit, dear; you can spend your exploitation bucks any way you see fit. But this ain't the '80s anymore, and this list is just so tacky. You want to make someone feel "really special" so you send them some gilt-encrusted booze bottle or overpriced soap??? Get REAL. "Pampering" and "indulgence" for most folks now is comprised of a long backrub at the end of the day, and maybe a Pizza Hut delivery on Friday nights. 

It's phony luxury, all this crap you tout, Oprah. I think you probably get that, in all the many nights you are alone except for some wheezing, spoiled, nipping, dunderheaded little dog and the feelings of unworthiness and doubt that you can never seem to buy out. 

Read More

ME, AMY KRAUSE ROSENTHAL, & THE FILM "THE BECKONING OF LOVELY" (2011)

Even if I left the planet today, which I thoroughly do not believe will happen despite an annoying cold and a lack of coffee, I would say that I have had more than my share of fun and delightful surprises in life. Despite the difficulties that we all face, the heartbreaks and aches and disappointments, I am always so curious to see what is going to happen next. So many good things have occurred that I never in a million years could have predicted or anticipated and I am confident there are many more such events in my future. Is that optimism? Whoa. Maybe. I just don't want to miss anything! I WANT TO PLAY!

Playing is good, doing is good, participating in whatever it is that floats your boat is good, especially if you have a greater good in mind. Chicago author, broadcaster, blogger, and filmmaker Amy Krause Rosenthal is someone who is deeply invested in the idea of the greater good, the collective, the creative, and the connecting of the disparate into a cohesive whole. She has an endlessly busy mind and gentle spirit and is always thinking up playful, interactive, simple ideas to bring little shimmers of light into the daily lives of her readers and listeners.

On 8/8/08, Amy began an ambitious film project called "The Beckoning Of Lovely," which was really just the beginning of an idea rather than a fully-formed, storyboarded, funded-out movie. This idea was to produce a full-length work made up of anything -- anything, from art to music to poems to sand castles -- that was "lovely," and that submissions for the film would be open to anyone in the world. You have to be either a bit crazy or really bold to launch into such an undertaking, and Amy is surely a terrific combination of that. You have to be a bit crazy to be able to dream of things that do not yet exist, and then be bold enough to see that dream into reality, yes? Amy posted a video invitation on YouTube to send in contributions for the film, and they began pouring in.

It was far too much for any one or two or twenty people to handle, so Amy organized a volunteer army of sorts to thoughtfully go through each and every item sent for consideration. They began to hone in on the items they agreed fit the spirit of the film best, even though for quite some time -- years -- the structure of the film was unclear to all. It took time and reflection on how best to make all these things work in a film, but the project was completed and released on 11/11/11, and is a sweet, dreamy celebration of the human spirit and the tiny moments of reflection that really are not so tiny at all.

In 2008, I had just started this blog, also with no clear idea of what I thought it was going to be or what would happen with it. A few weeks in I decided that I would post something every day. What that would be, I didn't know -- I still don't know! But it gets done, and something is created that would not have existed otherwise, and that feels right. It's been a great, positive thing in my life. Anyway, my pal Dena encouraged me to send something into the "...Beckoning..." project. I was definitely intrigued, loved the idea of a global collaborative creative work, but had a hard time thinking about what I had to offer that was "lovely." It's kind of a big concept, you know? I ended up pulling a one-sentence post from the blog about something my daughter said to me at age five...and my goodness, it was accepted into the film!

Now get this: Dena also made a submission, which was a one-minute song we ("we" being Dena, Kevin, and I) did back in 1984 called "I Love Cake I Love Pie," as the Performa-Chords. In the P-C tradition, no songs were written or rehearsed before turning the cassette recorder on, and fair amounts of alcohol were also in the room. It's beyond the simple to possibly moronic, but apparently it is also lovely, because this too made it into the film. Wow! I honestly never thought I would hear myself beerily singing and bashing away on an acoustic guitar in a movie, and again, this is why I like life. YOU NEVER KNOW!

So I bring to you, in its 5-part entirety,"The Beckoning Of Lovely," which I encourage you to watch in one go here or on YouTube. (If you want to Spot The Marianne, those moments both come in Part Two, at around 5:12 and 7:49.) Enjoy the thoughtful, beautiful things therein.

"The Beckoning of Lovely," Part One



"The Beckoning Of Lovely," Part Two



"The Beckoning Of Lovely," Part Three



"The Beckoning Of Lovely," Part Four



"The Beckoning Of Lovely," Part Five



The Performa-Chords, "I Love Cake I Love Pie"

Read More

SPAM POEMS 13

By us at the moment to 

buy more knowledge and facts 

in the matter of Visit us 

at times to grasp more 

information and facts in 

the matter of 


(LINK DELETED)

Read More

SHOW REVIEW & PHOTOS: SHONEN KNIFE, TRACTOR TAVERN, SEATTLE, 11/8/11

I know I've discussed it before here, but I'll say it again: Japan is maybe the most fascinating, weird, wonderful, and culturally-unique place in the world. It is a place of extremes, in almost any realm you can think of, from design to industry to education and technology, repression to expression. I'd love to go there someday, but I'd probably get lost and shoved into a commuter train with a big stick and have to live in the train until I got skinny enough to get out again. But no matter -- one of Japan's most delightful exports came to my town last Tuesday night at Ballard's Tractor Tavern. I definitely got my tanoshimu on by seeing the three women who make up Shonen Knife, currently on a 30th (!!) Anniversary tour across the U.S.

How do I explain Shonen Knife to the uninitiated? I think the simplest way would be to imagine if the Ramones were completely adorable Japanese girls who smiled a lot and liked to sing fast, poppy/punky 2-minute songs about candy and strange animals. If you don't think this is excellent, you are a crazy person. The morning before the Tractor show, Shonen paid a visit to KING 5's "New Day" program and performed an acoustic version of "Capybara." I do warn you: once you've heard this, it's going to stick in your head the rest of the day.

Shonen Knife, "Capybara," KING 5 TV "New Day," 11/7/11




The Tractor was packed with lots of bigtime Shonen Knife fans, including a trio front and center who seemed to nearly levitate when Naoko, Ritsuko, and Emi stepped out onstage on their matching Mondrian dresses (and I hear Ken Stringfellow from the Posies was in the house, too). Naoko is the only original member of the band who remains, and is one of those dichotomies seen: the sweet, reserved woman in her 40s who plays punk rock guitar for a living. Ritsuko on bass and newest member Emi on drums alternated between wild theatrics and gracious bows. Ritsuko definitely has the Ramones-stance down perfectly, too. They were smiling, I was smiling, everyone was smiling.

After a sweaty, fun set that ran a little under an hour, Shonen Knife left the stage only to return in black leather and jeans to perform an encore of Ramones covers from their latest album, Osaka Ramones, including "Rock n' Roll High School," "Sheena Is A Punk Rocker," "I Wanna Be Sedated," "Pinhead," "Blitzkrieg Bop," "The KKK Took My Baby Away," and "Beat On The Brat." Actually, I think they might have played all the songs from the album, but I was too busy singing along to count!

(Shonen Knife Flickr set)

I can't wait until I can bring Miss Nine to see Shonen Knife with me, although I am guessing that I might launch myself under a Japanese commuter train if that girl gets her hands on a copy of "Capybara." She is never going to stop singing it, that I know!

When the concert ended, the Naoko, Ritsuko, and Emi went over to the merch table to sign autographs and CDs and shirts and take photos with fans. I would have loved to have been able to stay and thank Shonen Knife for doing what they do. Best job ever? Could be, rokku staa, could be!

Read More

NEAT NEAT BEAT: THE DAMNED IN SEATTLE (ON BACK BEAT SEATTLE!)

Today I direct your attention to Back Beat Seattle, where my show review and photos for UK punk legends the Damned and Seattle's own Cute Lepers is now up and ready for your perusal! I had the fabulous luxury of shooting from a pit the entire night, and I just had the best time. Incredible night! Go see!

Show Review & Photos: The Damned & Cute Lepers @Showbox Market 10/27/11

The Damned Flickr set

Cute Lepers Flickr set

Read More

TODAY'S CAR CONVERSATION FEATURING CHUCK NORRIS

(MissNine and Mr13 once again in discussion after school.)

MissNine: Everyone at my school is currently having a Chuck Norris fixation!

Mr13: Why?

M9: It started with Chuck Norris jokes and now everyone is talking about Chuck Norris all the time.

Mr13: Do you even know who Chuck Norris is?

M9: (pausing) No...I just like saying his name. CHUCK! NORRIS!

Me: Chuck Norris is a Republican.

M9: A what?

Mr13: A Republican. One of the political sides.

M9: What's the difference?

Mr13: It's like this. They all want to do good stuff to help America, but they have different ideas about what they want to do. Like, Republicans think it's good to help businesses a lot.

M9: And?

Mr13: And Democrats like to...give money to orphanages and buy food for poor people.

M9: Who doesn't like to help poor people?? Really!

Me: (using all self-control to zip lip)

Read More

SHOW REVIEW: RAY DAVIES AT THE BARRYMORE THEATER, MADISON 11/6/11 (BY MY 84-YR.-OLD MOM)

(Ed. note: It is my core belief that music is for everyone to experience, explore and enjoy throughout life, which is why I always encourage people of all ages to attend concerts. There is nothing like the feeling and connection of live music. So I couldn't be happier to bring you today's Guest Post from my mom, who attended a show by Ray Davies last night in Madison, Wisconsin. She kindly wrote down some of her impressions and read them aloud to me over the phone this afternoon, where I typed them pretty much verbatim. She's the best.)


by J.C.

It was a clear, crisp evening in Madison and was 6:30PM by the time we three ladies got our car parked. A line three-deep stretched about half a block outside the Barrymore Theater to see that night’s concert by Ray Davies and The 88. While waiting, I remarked about Monty’s Blue Plate Diner across the street and their divine pies. A round guy in back of us said they were good, but his were better. He used lard, he said, and so the conversation went with the pie guy, who ended up sitting two rows in front of us. In five or ten minutes the doors opened and we moved along and into the theater. We chose middle seats across the aisle from the sound guy who was taped off to keep people from sitting next to the big equipment. Economics being what they are, the reclamation of the theater was not exactly a restoration. As a child in the ‘20s and ‘30s, I recall those grand palaces painted in deep or bright glossy colors trimmed with gilt, and this was not seen at the present-day Barrymore. Well, they did keep the twinkling lights scattered over the whole ceiling.

I went directly to the table in the lobby where a rather grumpy old guy was in charge of selling stuff. I got a Ray program. To my surprise, only 15-20% of the people were seated when we went in and most of those were the front 4 or 5 rows center stage. Most  folks were milling about in the foyer, buying drinks, etc. Eventually closer to show time, the place filled up to the balcony. “Good!” I thought, as I was calculating, imagining all the varied costs to put on the show. The crowd looked like ordinary folks wearing jeans, not like the dress up of the Overture events in Madison. At a rough glace the ages ranged from upper 20s at the youngest, most were middle-aged in their 30s and 40s, and a quite a few people in their 50s and 60s. Then there was me, weeks away from 85.

Soon, the 88 just started off with a powerful bang. Wow! Loud! With my diminishing hearing it was impossible for me to make out much of the lyrics but the music struck me as very good listening. The 88 had such skinny legs, ankles and thighs same size. Black skintight pants with tan shoes! Some jerks to our right and rear started shouting “RAY!” at the band, to the groans and boos of the audience. After quite a bit of that, the lead singer stepped forward a moment before he began the next song and called out “RAY!” to the audience's delight and applause. I kept noticing a guy bent over like Quasimodo, dashing off and on the stage to deliver what looked like a brightly-sequined tambourine. First, to the right side musician, then to the left side musician. I thought, couldn’t they afford two tambourines? All during the show, people scattered through the audience, getting up and coming back. Bathroom? Drinks? It was a bit distracting, because I really thought the 88 were excellent showmen and put on a tremendous performance.

When Ray Davies arrived on the stage it seemed like about 50% of the crowd was standing and by the end they just stayed standing, sometimes stretching both arms to the twinkling stars above in complete unison, freed of all except the joy and delight of the music and the musicians/magicians. His performance was delivered with great enthusiasm, and just kept on full speed all the way. As the show progressed, he engaged the audience more and more all the time, asking them all to sing lines with him, until the house was really rocking. The audience was like one big echo to what Ray asked them to sing back to him, like during “Dedicated Follower of Fashion.” I sang too! It was an exhilarating thing. Ray is a true entertainer. He acknowledged all the other musicians on stage, and is a very gracious performer and a real gentleman. He doesn’t show any ego onstage. His music is really great stuff and it was obvious that everyone was thrilled to be there.

I would like to have heard more of the old Kinks favorites like Lola, Victoria, etc. but I enjoyed all the songs very much. Ray came back for an encore sans coat and I thought he looked far too thin. He puts so much of everything of himself out to the adoring crowd. It occurred to me, how much is there to give? Enough for all the other venues? I wanted to give him a Cinnabon and fatten him up. I realized that when the show came to an end, the smile on my face had remained in place the whole time, even through the annoyance of the 7’ (do I exaggerate?) guy whose knees kept time on the back of my seat. Oh well, at least he kept good time!

As we made our way out, I stopped at Grumpy’s table again and asked to buy a medium-sized black t-shirt, but nope, only smalls left. But one of my friends scored a lime-green show flyer which I will duly send to my dear daughter who ordered the tickets for the show. On the long drive home, I reminisced about the two times she introduced me to Ray in Madison. That was 30 or 35 years ago, I believe. Just think! He has been reaching out and touching our hearts all that time, years before and years since.

It was so nice in this world where there is much political division to see a whole room of complete strangers, free of the bad stuff and foolishness, come together and have a wonderful evening. The power of music! Rock on, Ray!

Read More