Week in review, plus My 52 Places #4: Lancaster PA

Food and Football

The week started with a good Super Bowl game with a crazy/nasty finish, accompanied by a killer marhaporkolt for dinner (and for three subsequent dinners). I’m back in the kitchen now, and when Jeanne’s in the kitchen, you get a lot of Hungarian stuff whether you like it or not. Particularly for football. In honor of Joe Namath, of course. Also Larry Czonka (see  Gulyas). Made my son happy by making nokedli for the porkolt instead of defaulting to a bag of noodles. Good mom.

Then Music

Bad mom: the week ended with music and more music. Thursday night out to dinner with some of my favorite people, and Jason Isbell show at the Keswick. I am not a fan, so this was an introduction. Interesting, very talented, did not completely blow me away. Lots of life lessons on the value of achieving sobriety. He gave a very nice shout out to up-the-road Martin Guitars, who presented him with this little beauty today, so first time playing it.

Unfortunately for my short attention span, he played it too long before plugging back in to rock out the end of the show. Killer encore cover of Can’t You Hear Me Knocking. I love encore covers – it’s fun to know what they like to play and how they’d interpret it, and Stones covers are usually awesome. I can still hear nearly every note of Son Volt’s amped-up, head-spinning 2,000 Light Years From Home a few years ago. 

Help me baby, ain’t no stranger. 

And then I got fully and completely blown away.

It’s a bit of a cliché repeated by listeners and artists, but yes, we Philadelphians are very fortunate to have one of the nation’s great radio stations to make our lives better in countless ways. One is WXPN’s Free at Noon series. Every Friday there’s a free show at World Cafe Live, which is also broadcast. It’s what the free music services want you believe they offer – a way to get an artist in front of an audience – except it really does that and help the artists sell records, merch, and tickets. Today was a perfect example.

I rarely get to attend these since I work in the suburbs. But this Friday my schedule had me out of the office and closer to downtown in the morning, so I ran in to see The Lone Bellow. I knew one of their songs and it hit enough of a nerve that I included it in my top songs of 2014 playlist, so I thought they had potential. Understatement of the year.

Live performance – broken bass straps and broken guitar strings. Can’t stop the music, though.

I haven’t been this knocked silly by a live band for years. This is why we go to these things.

I might not be the one you take. I got a heart that ain’t afraid to break. Take my love. 

Holy shit. Energy, clarity, urgency. Kick me right in the head.

I bought their new CD (and a t-shirt), threw it on in the car (the CD, not the shirt). No comparison, actually. Live this stuff comes…uh…alive, is immediate, and its button- pushing, crescendo-building sound is totally human and real. On the CD it’s as if there is a production wall between us, the vocals are muddy and smoothed, it’s not as THERE. But still good.

Then he who speaks to me as no other does…

Later that afternoon I took off for Lancaster. 60 miles. Through the revolting mess of the Route 30 in Lancaster outlet store/Amish country tourist world. Passing the horse and buggies. To the Chameleon Club, a nice little joint in a cute little city (once you get into the city) in the middle of fucking nowhere. And music right out of the middle of fucking nowhere, into my heart. And holy crap, Jay is doing his own setup. Where does this thing plug in?

I take my place at the rail and watch him work. Move stuff around. Take out his guitar. Almost look at me.

The next day my trainer (a bass player) says to me so, didn’t you say anything to him? Nope. One does not simply walk up to Jay Farrar, I tell him. Particularly if one is me. Would probably beat the awkward silence of when I accosted Bud Harrelson in the dugout…

He’s touring with Gary Hunt again, which is like going on stage with like five other guys.

The guys I’m standing with (thanks for the beer) ask how many times I’ve seen him and how this show compared. Dunno, lost count. Prefer plugged in with Son Volt but doesn’t matter. Jay can do whatever he wants. And he does pretty much the same show as last spring, which I saw twice.  And I’ll be seeing it again next week in New York and next month in Wilmington. I’ll try to think of something new to write then.

The joy of seeing the same show over and over is you can do different things with it. Video some stuff. Focus on different stuff. Watch the audience a little. But still lean back and dissolve to Methamphetamine.

Blissful days still there, to remember.

Oh, yeah, Lancaster and My 52 Places.

First, the Chameleon Club was cool. Second, I got a little lost trying to find it and drove down absolutely beautiful streets, lovely Victorian town homes. Pretty idyllic. Too bad it’s in the middle of nowhere. And those outlets…ugh. I couldn’t spend any time though and take any pictures. Had to get to the club and watch Jay Farrar plug in his amp. And later had to zoom the 80 miles home without falling asleep at the wheel on the four hours of sleep I was working on.

Do I Wait

Ryan Adams did an absolutely crushing version of Do I Wait on Austin City Limits last week, and I can’t stop watching it. One of my favorites, it wasn’t on the ticket for either show I saw last November. In one moment at the start his expressions – a wry grimace, a peaceful smile, an affirming head shake – captured exactly how I feel when I listen to this song. Which I do a lot.

I waited in the wings for you to appear
But you’re never coming back
And we’re never going to feel
Like we did
I waited all night
I tried to let you go
Like a shadow in the light

Do I wait here forever for you?

Did you ask me to?

 

My 52 Places – Number 3 is Philadelphia

The Times’ number 3 place to go in 2015 is Philadelphia, and so it is also mine. Had a nice Sunday visit with Tom. First breakfast at Day by Day, still great after all these years. A craft fair at the Armory – bought some glass earrings – then a walk around on a cold but bright and sunny day.

 

 

 

Passed this house with Mercer tiles:

Schuylkill River Park’s dog park is much fancier than it was back when we used to bring the kids down here from Spring Garden for some playground variety and I’d watch the dogs. The city is definitely buzzing.

Every January, it’s this. Basically.

Saturday, January 18, the annual Cracker and Camper Van Beethoven show at WCL.

First Cracker/CVB Show where CVB was actually better. Interesting…

Had a blast and got a little messed up. In a good way, of course.

Then Saturday, January 24: the annual Smithereens gig. Best show they’ve put on in years.

My 52 Places – Number 2 is Altoona

Western Pennsylvania….’s where I was born and raised…

Well not really, but I played Kalob Griffin Band’s IPA while zooming through the place yesterday. Zooming is right – nailed for going 87. Oh well. New car problems.

Visited a small college my daughter is considering. Very small. Beyond the middle of nowhere. Appalachia…real pretty but remote and a bit sad.

Closest small city is Altoona so we check it out for lunch. Given my love of trains I should come back here some day maybe. It’s all about the trains.

After all these things I’ve seen…you know I only learned one thing…

there ain’t much to eat in Altoona. The original Texas Weiner, or so they say.

I guess this place is like Pat’s or Geno’s. Enjoyed it once, but not sure I need a return trip.

My 52 Places – 1 is Fort Lauderdale

NY Times 52 Places to Go in 2015. I usually ignore these types of command lists. But I’m thinking of playing with this because 1. I need a new distraction and 2. I already have a head start by living in number 3. Yay Philly.

Since no, I’m not going to get to all, most, or even a few of these places, I’m going to try doing my own. Starting with the first trip of the year.

I don’t like Fort Lauderdale. Other than it’s warm in January. And the Ritz-Carlton gave me an awesome upgraded room, probably because I complained about the very un-awesome crappy room last year. And the first day they gave me a complimentary fruit and chocolate plate and some fancy water, addressed to someone named Katherine who I guess was the previous occupant of my room. Thanks for the oops.

Music of my year

Fortunately for my sanity, 2014 was a great year for music, with earth-shattering releases by Old 97s, Ingrid Michaelson, and Ryan Adams. Courtney Barnett sounded like nobody else, and my old favorite Tom Petty put out a good record after…not doing THAT for a while. Coinciding with WXPN’s New Years countdown of the year’s best songs, I usually organize the year’s music purchases and make my own top songs playlist. Here they are for 2014, an extremely long list, organized for listening not by any ranking. No Take Me to Church on my list, fellow XPN listeners.

Am I Safe, Ryan Adams
This is the Ballad, Old 97s
History Eraser, Courtney Barnett
All You Can Carry, Tom Petty
Then Came the Morning, The Lone Bellow
Girls Chase Boys, Ingrid Michaelson
Trouble, Ryan Adams
My Silver Lining, First Aid Kit
Wheels Off, Old 97s
Brill Bruisers, New Pornographers
I Want to Be Your One Night Stand, Jeremy Messersmith
Let’s Get Drunk and Get it On, Old 97s
Shelter Song, The Temples
Rocking Chair, The Districts
Most Messed Up, Old 97s
Tourniquet, Jeremy Messersmith
The Ghost in You, Robyn Hitchcock
Fever, Black Keys
Warpath, Ingrid Michaelson
I Know It’s Wrong, But That’s Alright, Hurray for the Riff Raff
I Hope this Whole Thing Didn’t Frighten You, The Hold Steady
Avant Gardener, Courtney Barnett
Under the Pressure, The War on Drugs
In Your Shoes, Sarah McLachlan
Nashville, Old 97s
I Wanna Get Better, Bleachers
Gimme Something Good, Ryan Adams
Afterlife, Ingrid Michaelson
El Cerrito, Cracker
Girl You Look Amazing, Nicole Atkins
The River, Son Little
Exes & Oh’s, Elle King
David, Courtney Barnett
New York Kiss, Spoon
U Get Me High, Tom Petty
Stay With Me, Ryan Adams
Make You Better, Decemberists
Weight of Love, Black Keys
Shadows, Ryan Adams
Give it Time, Old 97s
Tangible Intangible, Fly Golden Eagle
My Wrecking Ball, Ryan Adams
Eyes To the Wind, The War on Drugs
Longer than You’ve Been Alive, Old 97s
Time Machine, Ingrid Michaelson
Spinners, The Hold Steady
Wasted, Old 97s

The Season

Moving from what I considered the birthday season to the Christmas season. I’m trying hard to write but there really isn’t time. So just impressions I’m jotting down as we go along.

Early Christmas present – Abby’s college acceptance notifications. Yay.

I really, really have no brainspace for holiday decorating anymore. I used to enjoy it so much. Thank goodness for kids to pick up the slack. Also to wrap presents.

Pretty much all zydeco music sounds the same to me, regardless of how much respect I have for accordions and washboards.

The guys finished bricking the porch just before Christmas. I’m sure I’ll get around to cleaning up the dust that came in through the French doors sometime in the spring.

Mary Fahl recorded a video of O Holy Night at my request. Sort of. O Totally Cool.

Andrew from Grafton sent me this aerial of the Whittier childhood home. It’s hard to imagine what Grampa would have thought of people taking pictures of his house from the air.

Kalob Griffin Band holiday bash. Stage-jumping dude almost took me out, but I ducked in time. KGB is attracting larger and crazier crowds. Well, maybe not crazier, but there’s more of them so it feels like it.

The robins came back again this Christmas. This is so beyond weird I think I’m imagining it (see last  year).

Who are you? It’s fun to watch Big Jake with my dad with both of us reciting the dialogue along with John Wayne.

New Years in NY and Baltimore.

I had no idea that the song Lonely Town is from the musical On the Town. I’ve always loved this song from Frank Sinatra’s Where are You album. It’s not in the movie, which is my point of reference, but of course, it all makes sense now.

As expected, The Book of Mormon is a hoot.

I ate kale in Brooklyn. I don’t like kale but now I can say I did that.  This is the wall of the restaurant I did that in. The beautiful vintage paper is almost enough to rekindle my interest in home decorating.

I wanna be down with The Unified Scene. Too late to the party. But I enjoyed the Hold Steady in their home anyway. Whoa oh oh ho…we gotta stay positive.

Got out of NY just in time. I hate Times Square at 11 AM on a Tuesday in October. But on New Years Eve, just shoot me. Baltimore is soooo much…quieter. BOOM! J. Roddy Walston and the Business.

But there is still nothing louder than a house full of Ackerlys.

DRA x 2: blues in the night

In his jeans uniform and a set washed in blue light and stars, Ryan Adams calmed us down almost till the morning came.

Balcony seats at the Tower. Was too late on the draw for something closer. But the sound up there is glorious, and DRA was all about making glorious music on this tour with the emphasis on ballads, introspection, and a crystal clear voice. Perfection.

I was playin dead, it didn’t make a sound. Holding my breath, going underground.

Lie to me, sing me a song until the morning comes. If the morning don’t come, will you lie to me?

Tower Theater, 11/19 Setlist: Gimme Something Good, Let it Ride, Stay With Me, Dirty Rain, This House is Not For Sale, Magnolia Mountain, Am I Safe, A Kiss Before I Go, Dear Chicago, My Wrecking Ball, Shadows, When The Stars Go Blue, When the Summer Ends, Change Your Mind, Rats in the Wall, New York New York, Cold Roses, Peaceful Valley, Oh My Sweet Carolina, La Cienega Just Smiled, Kim, Come Pick Me Up. 

Where do you go when you’re lonely? Where do you go when you’re blue?

To New York of course, and close to the stage. I’ll follow you. When the stars go blue.

The night will break your heart, only if you’re lucky now.

I wish I could call you I wish you were still around…Won’t you come and knock me down, come and knock me down.

Butch Walker joins for the encore of Come Pick Me Up. Beautiful and somehow, joyful. Why I love Ryan Adams – I’m a sucker for a song that makes me feel miserable and full of life at the same time. Blissfully gut-wrenched. Blues for people who don’t like blues, I guess. With the windows clear…and the mannequins’ eyes…do they all look like mine?

Hammerstein Ballroom, 11/23 Setlist: Gimme Something Good, Let it Ride, Stay With Me, Dirty Rain, Blue Light, Lucky Now, Magnolia Mountain, New York New York, Magick (Rockin out a little! This was unexpected!), A Kiss Before I Go, Dear Chicago, Am I Safe, My Wrecking Ball, When the Stars Go Blue, Everybody Knows, My Winding Wheel, This House is Not For Sale, I Just Might, Oh My Sweet Carolina, La Cienega Just Smiled, Crossed Out Name, I Love You But I Don’t Know What To Say, Come Pick Me Up.

 

November Saturday: sun, leaves, music

Took some time to enjoy my Saturday, including some quality leaf-raking time. Wolfie helped by playing under my tarp.

Our nice neighbors came by and gave us two orchestra tickets for the evening they couldn’t use, so the kids got to do some Beethoven. Adults did other things…after dropping the kids off at the Kimmel Center, we headed for the Institute Bar, been meaning to go there, as it’s still sinking in that there’s someplace to go at 12th and Green (!?), absoultely amazing what’s happening to this side of Broad Street. They have a barcat named Franklin.

You can now walk a couple of blocks to Union Transfer from three good bars (maybe more, I’m not as in tune as I used to be. This is nuts). So then we strolled over for Rachael Yamagata and a nice opening duo called The Dove and the Wolf, who are from Paris, FRANCE! As they like to remind the audience every few minutes. Very cute. Rachael was on. Sounded great, funny and engaged.