Zoo Tune Concert Series 2011

For my benefit, I want to record that I saw the following shows this summer:

BRANDI CARLILE WITH IVAN & ALYOSHA JULY 29 SOLD OUT!!

THE GO-GO'S LADIES GONE WILD TOUR WITH GIRL IN A COMA AUGUST 14 SOLD OUT!

I'll comment on the shows later.

Something Wicked this way comes…

The wife and I caught the matinee showing of Wicked at The Paramount theater this afternoon. 

In a word: Amazing

The only thing I knew about the show was that it had something to do with the Wicked Witch of the West from the movie, The Wizard of Oz, which I’ll admit to never having completely seen.

No matter, the show was fantastic; great stages, lighting, costumes, but the best part were the performances.  The songs were very literate and melodic, and the leads had the most amazing voices.  Individually they were great, but when they sang with each other, well…  It’s really hard to convey in words how good they were.  I’ve never heard performers more locked in to each than what I saw today.

Chandra Lee Schwartz played Glinda (The Good Witch from Oz) and Donna Vivino played Elphaba (The Wicked Witch).  They are not to be missed. 

If this show comes to your town, it’s a must see.

BECU Zoo Tunes: Susan Tedeschi

The Woodland Park Zoo has a summer concert series each year.  The name of the series is "BECU Zoo Tunes".  Strangely, the concerts are presented by Carter Subaru.  Why is that strange?  Because BECU stands for Boeing Employees Credit Union.  Why then aren't these shows being presented by Boeing?  That would be like "McDonald's ZooTunes", presented by Burger King.  Strange.   Anyway, I've never really followed their concert schedule, largely because most bands who play there are bands I've never much cared for or, in some cases, never heard of.  The few times I've heard whose playing there are bands that are likely (or frequently) played on The Mountain (which means "Blech" in Spanish). 

Somehow the wife scored VIP passes to Susan Tedeschi's concert a few nights ago (August 19th).  I'll admit to being something of a cave-dweller musically (in my opinion, the last "good" decade of music was the 70s), and I'm not a big fan of the blues, so I'm somewhat ashamed (OK, I lied, I don't really care) to say I'd never heard of the woman.

HOWEVER, when someone scores VIP passes, with the weather was as great as it was (mid-80s), and it might well be the last time I get to do something fun with the wife before Junior comes aboard, who am I to say "no"?  What exactly do you get with VIP passes?  Well, you get to sit in roped off section, enjoy nice, comfy adjustable beach chairs (if that's the right description), and get a pretty tasty box dinner, with extra pop and water as desired.  I'm not sure what the passes cost, but it was nice to make use of them.

The opening band was JJ Grey and Mofro.  Again, not a big fan of the blues, but they were pretty good.  JJ Grey sorta reminded me of Billy Bob Thornton (I hope I'm not turning anyone off), but he had a damn good voice, and his band was decent. 

Between sets, the wife and I got up to walk around and stretch the pegs a bit.  On the way back to our seat, I say a woman who looked familiar, but I just couldn't quite place it, until if finally dawned on me that I was looking at a former classmate from high school.  It's been 27 years since I'd last seen her, but I was finally able to dredge up a name.  I've still got it.  Still heading back to our seats, I saw the former Microsoft VP of Windows, Jim Allchin.

Susan Tedeschi's band was really good, and she's got a voice that belies her speaking voice.  She speaks in a sort of high, girly voice, but when she sings, it's a loud, bluesy voice I never would have expected to slip from her mouth.  She's a pretty good guitar player, too.  That she's married to Derek Trucks, a guitarist with the Allman Brother's band, probably doesn't hurt.  I liked the songs a lot more than I expected, even though the only one I recognized was a Beatles cover.  Before I quit here, I have to say one thing: Her sax player ROCKS-THE-HOUSE!!!  Unbelievable.  He really knows how to make that sucker scream, and he got a rousing hand every time he cut loose.

The sound for both shows was mixed really well and was not overly loud.  I suspect that volume has a lot to do with not wanting to disturb the animals at the zoo.  Good thinking.

As we were leaving, I got a good chance to look at the venue, and found the place PACKED!  I was surprised at how old the crowd was, but also surprised at how many little kids were there.  It was nice to look out over the crowd and see friends and families peacefully enjoying a beautiful summer evening.  Relaxing in that type of environment is probably one of the nicest ways to catch a show, and I think the zoo does a pretty damn good job of providing a space where people can spread a blanket, enjoy a picnic dinner (or to-go pizza), and listen to some nice music with friends and/or family.

Bravo, Woodland Park Zoo, bravo.

Unbelievable: Michael Jackson dead at 50

The wife and I just got back from our doctor appointments, and we talked and listened to a CD on the way home. I just sat down to the computer, fired up IE, and there on the MSN home page was the heading that Michael Jackson had died.

I'm completely blown away. I was not a big fan, but he was such a huge force in the entertainment industry (and relatively young), that I'd expected he'd live at least another 25-30 years.

This will be big, big news for the next few days.

This coming on the heels of Farrah Fawcett's death... A bad day in the world of entertainment.

Bell Bottom Blues

Bell bottom blues, you made me cry.
I don't want to lose this feeling.
And if I could choose a place to die,
It would be in your arms.

(Chorus)
Do you want to see me crawl across the floor to you?
Do you want to hear me beg you to take me back?
I'd gladly do it because
I don't want to fade away.
Give me one more day, please.
I don't want to fade away.
In your heart I want to stay.

It's all wrong, but it's all right,
The way that you treat me, baby. Mmm...
Once I was strong, but I lost the fight.
You won't find a better loser.

Chorus

Chorus

Bell bottom blues, don't say goodbye,
We're surely gonna meet again.
And if we do, don't you be surprised
If you find me with another lover.

Chorus
I don't want to fade away.
Give me one more day please.
I don't want to fade away.
In your heart I long to stay.

-eric clapton (1970)

Baby, It's Cold Outside

We're coming to the end of the first full week of generally frigid temperatures, with a winter storm forecast for later today. The projections are that portions of the state will experience sustained winds of 50-70 mph, with gusts reaching upwards of 90 mph. Combine that with our current air temps of 20 degrees and lower, and you can only guess how low the wind chill factor might get. Needless to say, they are predicting lots of damage and power outages... Hopefully, we won't be impacted by the winds or outages. All of this brings to mind the Ray Charles/Betty Carter version of the classic, "Baby, It's Cold Outside".

So, for your reading pleasure, may I introduce to you the lyrics to this great song?

According to Wikipedia, the words and music were written in 1944 by Frank Loesser. The female voice in the song is called "The Mouse" and the male "The Wolf."

The Mouse - The Wolf

I really can't stay - Baby it's cold outside

I've got to go away - But, baby it's cold outside

This evening has been - Been hoping that you'd drop in

So very nice - I'll hold your hands, they're just like ice

My mother will start to worry - Beautiful, what's your hurry

And father will be pacing the floor - Listen to the fireplace roar

So really I'd better scurry - Beautiful, please don't hurry

Well maybe just a half a drink more - Put some records on while I pour

The neighbors might think - Baby, it's bad out there

Say, what's in this drink - No cabs to be had out there

I wish I knew how - Your eyes are like starlight now

To break this spell - I'll take your hat, your hair looks swell

I ought to say no, no, no, sir - Mind if I move in closer

At least I'm gonna say that I tried - What's the sense in hurting my pride

I really can't stay - Baby don't hold out

Ahh, but it's cold outside

I simply must go - Baby, it's cold outside

The answer is no - Ooh baby, it's cold outside

This welcome has been - How lucky that you dropped in

So nice and warm -- Look out the window at that storm

My sister will be suspicious - Gosh, your lips look delicious

My brother will be there at the door - Waves upon a tropical shore

My maiden aunt's mind is vicious - Gosh, your lips are delicious

Well maybe just a half a drink more - Never such a blizzard before

I've got to go home - Oh, baby, you'll freeze out there

Say, lend me your comb - It's up to your knees out there

You've really been grand - I thrill when you touch my hand

But don't you see - How can you do this thing to me

There's bound to be talk tomorrow - Think of my life long sorrow

At least there will be plenty implied - If you caught pneumonia and died

I really can't stay - Get over that old out

Ahh, but it's cold outside

Another Thin Lizzy gem, Emerald

This one from the Live and Dangerous tour (78?)…  Again, Brian’s got the ever-present smoke stuffed between his fingers.  How does he do that without burning his digits?

Windows Live Writer (beta) to post to my Blogspot…

Just testing…

Smokin’ while burning. Look at Brian hold that smoke while doing his thing.

Phil Lynott was the coolest and baddest thing ever to come out of Ireland. His influence on 70s rock is undeniable, his loss is still palpable.

I hate Gene Simmons

I used to think Gene Simmons was the shit. Seriously, I thought he was the baddest thing alive. Then I grew up and realized he was nothing more than a two-bit huckster, selling anything and everything with the KISS logo on it. There's even a KISS Kasket. Don't believe me?

I was perusing the vids on MSNBC yesterday, when I saw a thumbnail showing that jackass on the set of Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? He's also got his own show that's nothing more than a cheap rip-off of the Ozzy Osbourne family "reality" show, Meet the Osbournes.

This is all pretty old news, but I'm sitting here looking for some tennis shoes and I surf on out to the Vans website. What is the first thing staring me in the face? I'll be damned if it's not a pair of KISS high tops.
















I have to guess that most fans of the band have got to be in their 40s by now. What middle-aged doofus is going to spend $65 for the privilege of looking like the oldest geek on the block? Not I.

As the years have passed and interest in the band waned, it seems the other members of KISS (original or otherwise) have adjusted nicely to their life outside the limelight. They obviously have other things in their life that have replaced KISS (or the compulsive need for attention). It's sad that Gene doesn't have anything else going on in his life, apart from this one thing. Trying to drum up demand when said demand has long since dried up, is really quite pathetic.

The idea of this clown hawking his wares at 80 is not terribly appealing, and at this rate, he'll be eventually become Rock's answer to Hugh Hefner. Simmons has become a buffoon, but he's so in love with himself, he can't see it.

Gene, get a life.

Please.