Lucinda Williams & The Jayhawks - 9/28/03 - 9:30 Club, Washington, DC

Saw Lucinda Williams and The Jayhawks last night at the 9:30 Club in Washington, DC. I was really looking forward to this doubleheader of two of my favorites. It would be a night of Midwest alt-country roots rock meets Southern country rock.

The show opened with the Jayhawks playing a mix from their latest Rainy Day Music and working in some older favorites. I really liked "Tampa to Tulsa" which featured some nice acoustic work by Gary Louris.

"Save it For A Rainy Day" seemed a bit rushed but it was a better version then some of the previous performances. Earlier in the year, I saw the Jayhawks at the Birchmere in Alexandria, VA. The show was the day of the release of Rainy Day Music and the band was in fine form performing the new material.

Last night's show had a few bumps here and there but it was a well received show. I enjoyed the 9:30 Club crowd. We were able to stand just a few feet from the stage but not be crunched. "Tailspin", "Waiting for the Sun", and "Angelyne" were highlights in the set.

Louris seemed to get increasingly perturbed by his microphone or the sound as the show progressed. He made numerous gestures to the sound crew about changing levels. At the end "Stumbling Through The Dark" he knocked over the mic stand with his guitar in apparent disgust.

Someone shouted out "Golden Smog" and that brought a chuckle and smile to Gary's face. They did a Golden Smog tune and I'm trying to remember the title. The Jayhawks closed set with "Sister Cry" which featured quite a bit guitar feedback. Louris took the mic and used it as a slide to create a wall of distortion before putting down the guitar and walking offstage.

Soon thereafter, Lucinda Williams strolled out with her acoustic guitar and outstanding band. She wasn't wearing a cowboy hat unlike when I saw earlier this summer open for Neil Young. She was grinning and settled in for a great evening of music.

Opening with "Passionate Kisses" which Mary Chapin Carpenter made famous, Williams set featured a number of the World Without Tears songs. Like the Jayhawks, she mixed in some of her earlier work from Car Wheels on a Gravel Road.

"Righteously" was delivered ever so sultry and there was great interplay with the band. Guitarist Pettibone was outstanding on pedal steel and backing vocals. The audience called out for requests but she said they'd rock out later in the night.

Other highlights included "Lake Charles", "Joy" which rocked out, "Drunken Angel", and "Real Live Bleeding Fingers & Broken Guitar Strings". "Those Three Days" was delivered with so much feeling that she could've been singing about last week.

The highlight of the encores was "American Dream", her rap-like epic from World Without Tears. Before launching into "American Dream", Williams went into a lengthy commentary about the "situation". She commented she was a bit uncomfortable speaking in the President's backyard. (The club is located about 15 blocks from the White House.)

She said that she loves the country but believes it's important for people to speak out against policies they disagree with. She told the story of being kicked out of High School for refusing to say the Pledge of Allegiance in protest of the Vietnam War.

Williams proceeded to deliver a passionate "American Dream" snarling out the lyrics in her raspy southern drawl delivery. It was quite riveting.

As the show closed, Williams thanked the Jayhawks for opening and ended the night with a wave goodbye.

Blogs and Music

From our favorite blog The Rock and Roll Report comes a link to an interesting article in The Guardian about blogging and music:

"Blogging can often seem like a self-involved, self-referential world. However, the music blogs are actually about something. As a result, they're finding a place in the larger media ecology of the music business, becoming a place to find out about 'the next big thing' and sample quality writing about music. For the music magazines in particular, blogs are a potential source of new writing talent. And, as their quality and range increases, they may even become competitors. "

Story continues with this alarming forecast:

"I can see a generation of hipster/ music-obsessives emerging who will never buy or rarely buy music mags," says Reynolds. "The leading edge of opinion will go to the blogs and the webzines." But he adds that the blogosphere might help revive the mainstream as writers from blogs move on to mainstream titles.

More at Guardian Unlimited | Online | Talkin' my language.

Politics & Music

With all the controversy over the Dixie Chick's comments and the happenings on the CIA outing, here's a timely article from PopMatters | Columns | Shadi Hamid | Gimme Some Truth | Politics & Music:

"Too many pundits, in these troubled times, assert that music and politics don't mix. They say music cannot be a source for change. Indeed, it is hard to measure just how much of a tangible effect music has on anything. But, have they forgotten about the 60s ? That turbulent decade showed us the potential power of music as a source of mobilization. It was songs like Dylan's 'The Times They are a-Changing' and the Rolling Stones' 'Street Fighting Man' that provided the soundtrack to the great movements of the '60s. Music was a driving force, a catalyst, a mode of angered expression. It was through music that a whole generation expressed its hopes, dreams, and aspirations. When the Beatles sang 'All You Need Is Love' in 1967, they were speaking for millions of people who wanted to believe in something greater than themselves. "

While Neil Young's Greendale doesn't quite compare to his 70's anti-war anthem Ohio , it is certainly a powerful statement mixing music and politics.

More on the Dixie Chicks Politics.

Rolling Stones and Neil Young

From Five Horizons an article called "Let the Song Protest":

"Mick Jagger wrote a song called 'Street Fighting Man' about his experience protesting the Vietnam War at the American Embassy in London, and his frustration at not being able to do anything that would actually MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

Neil Young to this day doesn't believe that he had to write 'Ohio,' and that song upset an awful lot of people back when it was written and rush-released to radio, in order to make a LOUD AND VOCAL statement."

More on Rolling Stones, Keith Richards and Neil Young.

Robert Palmer 1949-2003

September's shaping up to be a sad month. First Warren, then Johnny. Now Robert.

Palmer's first album Sneakin Sally Through The Alley was quite infectious with it's syncopated sound influenced by Little Feat's backing musicians.

Here's a video obit from The Feedroom with a video clip of the ubiquitous "Addicted To Love".

Michelle at A Small Victory: The Gentle Art of Making Enemies writes on Blogcritics:

"For those who know only of Palmers post 1985 efforts, it would be worth your while to check out his earlier stuff and to realize that the man was more than a video star with catchy riffs."

Interesting comment's on Palmer's career follow Michele's chronology. From Eric Olsen:

"His '80s hit period is also extremely appealing - the image he crafted of the jaded Euro-sophisticate sort of took the Bryan Ferry image to its furthest extension."

More on Palmer's career and tribute comments at Blogcritics.org: Robert Palmer: a quick chronology of his music.

Neil Young in Japan

Just as Neil Young's North American tour wraps up comes word of a tour in Japan. Word is this will be with Crazy Horse and a continuation of the Greendale tour. More from Shakey's Garage Tour Dates.

For updates check out Neil Young tour 2003 in Asia page.

Lots of updates from HyperRust Never Sleeps! and Bad News Beat on Human Highway.

And here's a Neil Young Greendale album poll on how Greendale will rate in 10 years relative to classics like Rust Never Sleeps vs the Geffen releases.

England to Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band

Here's a great review from donewaiting.com of Bruce Springsteen's concerts at Giants Stadium on August 30th and 31st, 2003. It's by a fan who traveled from England and is quite well written and heartfelt:

"After playing ten shows at Giants Stadium, and following an epic version of Dancing In The Dark, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band stood stage front, soaking up the applause and the adulation from this crowd, looking for all the world as if that was it. But, just as they’re leaving the stage, and with the clock ticking towards 11:30, a stagehand tosses Bruce a guitar, and they close out the series with Jersey Girl. It’s obvious, but it’s beautiful, and I bet this reading caused many a tear to be shed. “It’s been a great summer,” bellowed Bruce during the show. If these last two shows are anything to go by, it’s been a summer of legend."

For more of review, England Made Me by Steve Miller: a donewaiting.com situation - "Faith Will Be Rewarded".:

Bridge 2003 Concert Update

Wilco has just been added to the Bridge School 2003 concert. And speaking of Wilco, they were on Jay Leno on 9/9. Here's a MP3 of their performance of Jesus, etc.

More on W I L C O World.

More on Neil Young's Annual Bridge School Benefit Concert.

Old Grey Cat

Meanwhile, out in Neil cyberspace, here's a site that's been around for a long time Old Grey Cat. Lots of good CSN and Y links.

Broken Arrow

The latest issue of Broken Arrow magazine from the Neil Young Appreciation Society just arrived packed with lots of Greendale tour news and reviews.

End of Line for Bottom Line?

From donewaiting.com , word that The Bottom Line in New York City may be on the verge of closing. Neil Young fans know the Bottom Line as the venue for the famous bootleg from 5/16/74 featuring Pushed It Over The End.

This update from Bottom Line website : "Even before the terrorist attacks on the World Trader Center, the nation was already feeling the downturn in the economy. The Bottom Line, along with so many other small businesses, has not been able to recover since the tragedy of September 11th. Attendance to shows has declined. In addition, its customers are feeling economic stress, bills have been multiplying, and the venue has been substantially behind in our rent. The landlord, New York University, has started eviction proceedings. "

Let's hope the historic club can hang on. Support live music.

A Concert Roadtrip - 13 DAYS with Wilco, Neil Young and Jay Farrar

Here's a cool summer concert road trip review report by Dan Takacs of 13 days on the road to see Wilco, Neil Young and Jay Farrar.

The first stop was for Central Park Summerstage (6/27/03) for Wilco with Sonic Youth. Dan's thoughts:

"1) Summerstage is cool as hell, by all means check out a show there, preferably in the summer.
2) Wilco kicks as much ass as I thought they would. I will absolutely go see them whenever they come around again."

Second stop was at Saratoga Performing Arts Center (7/4/03) for Neil Young with Crazy Horse and Lucinda Williams. Dan's thoughts:

"1) The beer tent at SPAC is a total chafe. If you want a brew, you have to get a bracelet to enter a cordoned off area, wait on a long ass line, and drink the beer there, hundreds of yards away from the show.
2) August 5th, Greendale, pick it up."

last stop was The Bowery Ballroom, New York City (7/9/03) for Jay Farrar with Anders Parker, Mark Spencer and Jud Ehrbar. Thoughts:

"1) Another awesome venue. The Bowery Ballroom has featured acts like Lou Reed, The White Stripes, Ween, Elvis Costello, Wilco and many more.
2) After seeing mostly arena and stadium concerts the last few years, it was a nice experience to such a talented act in such an intimate setting, even more so being that I am a fan. Very refreshing. "

Dan has an interesting site with some of his other artistic interests. Check it out at House of Style.

Clear Channel PR

Hmm, I guess's it's not just Neil Young and the Dixie Chicks who have less than warm feelings for Clear Channel. It seems there's some anti-Clear Channel feelings out there in Blogdale.

From No Rock and Roll Fun blog comes a link on more Clear Channel PR.

Here's what StainMaster Productions had to say about CC: "So Clear Channel says they aren't the big, bad corporate monster that everyone thinks they are. Check out their Know The Facts page to see their side of the argument. Here's my analysis: there are 13,418 radio stations in America. CC says they 'only' own 9%, and that the top ten media conglomerates 'only' own 43% of radio stations nationwide, compared to the 60%+ market share of conglomerates in cable, film and recording industries. If you take 9% of 13,418 you get over 1,200 stations! Now divide that by the top 150 markets, which must reach at least 90% of the population, and you've got an average of 8 stations per market. "

And from The ROCK AND ROLL Report a "Could it Happen to Clear Channel?" link to antiMUSIC - musicNEWS Sept 2003: Bad News For Clear Channel.

The Rock and Roll Report

Here's a great blog on what's happening out in the music world: The Rock and Roll Report. There's an interesting story on the site Sounds Celebrating Resistance. It's about "political music" and seems relevant given Neil Young's Greendale work and it's political incorrectness.

An article on Ani DiFranco caught my eye. We had seen Ani's show earlier this summer and enjoyed the Righteous Babe's music and commentary. I've always been intrigued by her independence and not succumbing to the vultures in the music business. The article Art, Money, and the Like is explained as: " A while back Ms. Magazine did a feature on prominent young feminists, including a little blurb on Ani DiFranco. Ani DiFranco then wrote a pretty interesting and lengthy response to Ms. mag which the promo-hounds at her label, Righteous Babe Records, sent out to all these media types and I fired back an off-the-cuff response."

The letters are included and make interesting reading. Although apparently dormant, check out Sounds Celebrating Resistance .

The 17th Annual Bridge School Benefit Concert

The 17th Annual Bridge School Benefit Concert will be held October 25th and 26th, 2003.

This year's Bridge Concerts will feature Pearl Jam, Incubus, Marianne Faithful, Willie Nelson, Wilco, CSN and, of course, Neil Young. More acts will be announced soon.

Created a new Bridge School Benefit Concert Reviews page. It has concert reviews from 1991 to date. For more information, go to The Bridge School website. Also check Bad News Beat and Neil Young News for Bridge School concert updates.

Bruce Springsteen Plays Washington, DC suburbs

The Bruce Springsteen played outside of DC on Saturday night and opened with an acoustic version of Johnny Cash's "I Walk the Line". The band was dressed in black in tribute to Johnny.

The Washington Post wrote:

It was a tour de rock-and-roll force, and knowing Springsteen's admiration for the Man in Black, it's probably not a stretch to suggest the entire concert was a tribute from a living legend to a late one. If so, Johnny Cash certainly would have been proud.

Read more at The Boss, Walking the Line at FedEx (washingtonpost.com)

Johnny Cash - 1932 - 2003

Johnny Cash died today and that's a pretty sad thing. What a musical legacy he has left us with and we're all the richer for it.

I was quite touched by his last video Hurt, a Nine Inch Nails cover. Truly stunning.

This message on Johnny Cash Music:

THE FAMILY OF JOHNNY CASH, IN THIS SAD HOUR, IS GREATLY COMFORTED BY THE OUTPOURING OF LOVE AND RESPECT FOR HIS REMARKABLE LIFE. WE TAKE SOLACE IN THE KNOWLEDGE THAT HE IS AGAIN REUNITED WITH HIS DEAREST COMPANION, JUNE. OUR LIVES, AND INDEED THE ENTIRE PLANET, WILL FOREVER FEEL THE EMPTINESS OF HIS LOSS, BUT HIS MUSIC AND THE GREATNESS OF HIS SPIRIT WILL ENDURE.

Lots on the web today in tribute of Johnny. Here's a nice roundup from Blogcritics.org: Johnny Cash, Legendary Man In Black, Dies

May he rest in peace with June.

Warren Zevon 1947 - 2003

The Excitable Boy has passed along. It seems that his death will bring his music lots of well deserved attention. Always a shame to be recognized in hindsight.

His songs always made me chuckle. I'll have to give another listen to his catalog.

Here's a roundup on Warren at Blogcritics.org: Warren Zevon: Attention Must Be Paid.

Welcome to Thrasher's Blog!

Nothing but the best of Neil Young on the Internet. The chaff has been left behind.

Well here we go Neil Young blogging.

I attended Neil's Greendale show in Scranton, PA on 9/6 and had a blast. Definitely my favorite show of the tour so far. It was great seeing lots of friends and making some new ones along the way.

Here's a review of the Scranton concert.

And in case you wondered why we call it Thrasher's Blog, it's all about the Neil Young song Thrasher. Also, see more on Neil's music and sound.