Allman Brothers/Santana at SPAC

I wrote about last night's show and posted pics over there - you know, on WordPress.

Mountain Jam 2012

For the second consecutive year, I headed down to Hunter Mountain to meet the guys and drink beer listen to some music.  Although I didn't commit to getting a ticket until midweek, I had been eyeing the schedule for months.  I ultimately decided that Sunday's lineup was the most appealing to me despite my interest in seeing Ben Folds, who played on Saturday. Believe me, at this point in my life I've accepted that it simply isn't possible to have everything and I wanted to check out Steve Winwood again after having seen him at The Egg a few years ago.

The impressive thunderstorms that rocked the DelSo failed to materialize in Hunter, but it did seem as if the threat of bad weather had discouraged some potential concert goers.  Parking wasn't too difficult and other than an inordinately long line for vegetarian fare, the wait for refreshments and bathrooms wasn't unreasonable.  The hillside was a bit treacherous, particularly to those who had overindulged (side note: If you were born pre-1990, and still haven't learned to moderate your consumption, it's time.  Post-menopausal and falling down drunk are not a good look.), but a layer of straw helped provide traction and there was always the option of taking a $5 shower if one got particularly dirty.  And speaking of dirty, could someone please explain the appeal of flip flops, or even bare feet, at one of these events? The thought of mud (or worse) between my toes simply skeeves me.

Here's the bill we enjoyed.  I didn't get down there until about 4:00, which got me in right at the sweet spot of the Tedeschi Trucks Band.  I must say, while I've always enjoyed Derek Trucks' guitar skills, I wasn't always impressed with the amount of soul he put into his playing.  This show was an exception to his typical technician sort of playing and I loved watching he and the missus playing together.  Franti was his usual wave of joyful sunshine, including a rainbow inducing close to his set, and Steve Winwood played with zeal and decades of experience, but I definitely found him more captivating in the small venue of The Egg.

All in all - a great day with some terrific musicians and a couple of even better than great friends. 

 

Super Bowl Madonna

image popcrush.com

So, everyone around here is totally excited about the big event this weekend.  Apparently some of the heroes are called BIG blue but are actually wearing road whites, while the others will actually be wearing blue.  It's a huge day for sports fans in New York and New England - and it's going to be fun.  Although, it could be even more fun if they would ditch this Superbowl Sunday nonsense and play on Saturday instead. Trust me, I think folks would indulge and spend even more if they didn't actually have to take a recovery sick day on Monday.  But, I digress, what I really want to talk about is Madonna.

Last night, while I was watching American Idol (I've lost your respect, haven't I?)  there was a preview of Madonna's new video  and suddenly I remembered why I've always loved her...

She created herself - she is fabulously self-made.  Madonna wasn't packaged or produced by a record label in the same way many of today's female artists are manufactured.  And she most certainly isn't one of these Disney princesses.  Every song she sings does not sound like the last song she sang and her style has changed a million times.  She writes some of her own stuff and truly has a catalog of material.  I'm not saying it compares to what great bands produced but, damn, Madonna's been doing her thing for a long time and I admire her hard work.  She doesn't seem afraid to try anything and I respect her for living the life she wanted. I'm kind of excited for the half-time show for the first time in a long time. 

Well, what part of the game are you most looking forward to?

The weekend that was...and what a weekend it was!

Wow - upstate NY, what's good? Oh, you want to show me all weekend long?  You're on! 

Friday afternoon began post-work, when I picked up my race packet for Saturday's 15th annual Last Run 5k.  The process was well organized and the volunteers were friendly and helpful.  Swag in hand, I headed to the Shaker Meeting House, with a like-minded friend, on an earnest search for the perfect tree topper.  Motivated by the belief that there is much to look forward to, a star was the goal.  We left empty-handed, but confident in the knowledge that waiting for the perfect beacon of light isn't always a hopeless act.

Sonya Kitchell

I stopped at the grocery store on my way back to the DelSo and got the fixings for pizzas.  Within 90 minutes, I was back in my car, boys fed and lipstick on, heading for Hudson and dinner at Swoon.  I met two friends, one old, the older even older.  We had a super dinner.  The ambiance was cozy with a kind of blurred around the edges feel to it like a sepia tinted photograph.  From there, it was to Club Helsinki for a show which was disappointingly abbreviated for us due to the leisureliness of our meal.    And this was Friday.

Saturday was productive, yet remarkably unhurried.  I even snuck in a visit to Marshall's!  I must admit, I'm becoming more accepting of spontaneity and surprises, something more easily accomplished when they both bring positive wonder. Have I mentioned recently how fortunate I feel? Blessed, I tell you.  Have you read this? If not, please do it now.  I'll wait.  When you're done, let me know who that sounds like.

Anyway, in the late afternoon my running ladies started gathering and we headed to the race course.  Dang - it really was cold!  The excitement warmed us a bit and we watched the fireworks, itching to run.  It was a great night, just a little wind, or rather a lot of wind but only in a couple of concentrated areas.  The lights were magical.  We celebrated post-race at the Wine Bar and Bistro in Lark.  My Prosecco was perfect and our beverage was the perfect time filler before we picked up our takeout at Jewel of India.  We opted for this place over Shalimar because I spotted a 25% off take-out orders coupon in the TU.  Price for our evening out in Albany? Maybe $50 each including race, drinks, and food.

All quality - other than the lamb, that is.  That was the toughest thing about the entire weekend.

Sunday was recovery in the morning and indulgence in the afternoon.  For the second consecutive Sunday, I did yoga at the Yoga Loft in the DelSo.  Yes, I can walk there. Following yoga, there  was a little mad dash to get to the Madison for the noon showing of Muppet Move, but we made it with far too much time to spare. I'd honestly prefer to miss some of the trailers. Post-movie, it was cookie baking and laundry and then a solid 4 mile run that felt great other than that pesky discomfort I've taken to think of as my IT band issue.

The cure for that running "injury" and the other demands of a true weekend?  That would be the hot bubble bath I'm just about to slip into with some quiet music, dim lights and thoughts filled with appreciation.  What a great weekend, what an incredibly blessed life.

Roadtrip Montreal!

A mere 18 months after purchasing our tickets, Griffin and I, at long last, drove north to catch Bono and the boys live at the Hippodrome.  As I explained to G, leaving the country to see a U2 show at the ripe old age of 12, is an experience not to be belittled - nor will he be doing anything like this sans parent for many years to come.  Which, I suppose means he won't be repeating this episode period, since apparently my dancing, screaming and general jumping up and down, embarrassed him beyond belief.  Oh, well.  I've got someone else in mind for my next trip out of the country anyway.

But, back to this trip...the drive was uneventful and we skirted around the main border crossing thanks to a tip from my friend, Kevin.  After checking in to our hotel, we grabbed a quick bite to eat and then headed for the show convinced that getting there was going to require patient efforts.  And, we were right.  Seriously, Montreal Metro folks, how about opening up more than a single window for ticket sales?  I mean, oui, I understand there is that single automated ticket machine, but when you're expecting 80,000 to travel to a venue where there is no parking, what were you thinking?  Eventually, we got there, happy to be freed from the packed to the gills train on a very hot evening.  There was a short walk to the actual venue and we settled into a comfortable spot on the "floor" of the arena. prepared for our universe to be rocked.  Things here were fairly well organized - lots of porta potties, vending and plenty of concession people circulating with cold, expensive beverages.  But, who cares about any of that?  It was about the show dammit! 

The "Claw"

I was fortunate enough to have seen this show in '09 at Gilette Stadium, and I've got to tell you, it is, as always, the best show I've ever seen.  The set, the sound, the effects, the MUSIC, the BAND...incredible.  Always.  I can't describe it any better than, for me,  seeing U2 is like being served Mass at the Vatican.  By the pope.  Amazing.  The set list is here and there are a couple more pictures below.  The band will be at Giants' Stadium next week - anyone have an extra ticket?  I'll drive.

Mountain Jammin'



me and my Laker guys

A few weeks ago, I got my Groupon and picked up a ticket to the annual Mountain Jam music fest down in Hunter, N.Y.  I've heard tales about the good times to be had - music until all hours, camping, rain as soon as Franti hit the stage...it sounded epic and I wanted in, especially since some of my best friends were also going to attend.  After a morning playing Soccer Mom and my first recreational bike ride of the year (so lame, I know), I jumped into my wagon and headed south, taking the scenic route, of course.



so that's where Santa hangs in the off season

Scenic, actually, could sum up the event.  The setting was beautiful, the weather comfortable and there were lots of interesting people all over the place.  I parked in a satellite lot, for free, and took a comfortable shuttle bus right to the gate where I hooked up with my guys.  I had downloaded a cool Groupon app to my phone and merely had to display a barcode to get my ticket, which, naturally I had to take to yet another window to trade for a wristband.  Whatever - it was still a definite improvement to the days of printing, don't you think?  Especially since I couldn't seem to find the power cord to my printer and was stressing about what to do...  An aside - how much longer until we simply have chips implanted and scan-able? 

a beautiful June evening

this looked fun until the person lost a shoe...bummer

barefoot as usual, Franti

I don't know how many shows, much less "Festivals" you all attend in a year, but I find that there are less and less compelling reasons to go concerts.  I mean, I've seen almost everyone I'm interested in seeing, at this point in time.  I would like to see Adele and I will always see U2 when the opportunity presents, but these days, it's all about the chance to hang out with my friends.  In all honesty, the music is secondary to the laughter we share when we get together.  And, to be able to say that after 30+ years of friendship, is a genuine privilege. 

Government Mule

So, the was music great - Michael Franti put on his trademark upbeat, yet politically aware, show - and it didn't even rain.  He had the hillside audience on their feet the entire set and he created a positive vibe that, for me, contrasted strongly with the next performers, Government Mule.  I've seen Govt Mule before and enjoyed them, but on Saturday I was feeling pretty buoyant and they kind of dragged me down a bit with their weightiness.  I just wasn't feeling it and I had an hour drive to contend with, solo.  I bid farewell to my friends (see you at Treetops to Rooftops!) and headed north.  Satiated by the music, the excellent chicken pita wrap, and a few hours with my besties. 

Giving it away...

image from fly92.com

My friend, Will, made a couple of tickets to this Saturday's Summer Jam available to me and I'd like to give the pair of tickets to you.  Gates open at noon, June 4th and the show is expected to wrap up at about 7 pm.  Performers include Big Time Rush, Jason Derulo, Vanilla Ice (!), The Ready Set, and Runner Runner.  I imagine that Fly 92.3 listeners are familiar with most of these performers and the weather forecast looks perfect for a day in the sun at the beautiful Saratoga Performing Arts Center.  I'll be at Mountain Jam down at Hunter, otherwise I might have ventured to Saratoga myself - my loss is your gain.

If you're interested in having these free tickets, leave me your best (made up)word beginning with DelSo. 

Example:  DelSolo, DelSoiree, DelSooverit...

Be creative.  Make me laugh and the tickets are yours - this is completely subjective! Contest open until Thursday, 6/2 at 8 pm.

David Gray ~ Beacon Theater

                                         

About 20 years ago, when I was still in a position to make rules for "Living Silvia Style," I decided that I would never decline an opportunity to experience something new.  Other than ecstasy or other recreational drugs, that is.  As for those substances, thanks, but I'm not interested, even when it is a famous actor offering, however, that's another story.  To return to the story at hand, last week one of my best friends provided me the chance to:

• hang out with she and another dear friend of many, many years.
• visit NYC for a night, 
• check out a performer whom I've never seen before at one of my favorite venues, the Beacon Theater.

In general, the night was an educational experience for me.  For instance, I had no idea that "reluctant driver friend" doesn't have a clue about parallel parking - even when it means paying $55 to park in a convenient garage.  Guess I know what to get her for Christmas next  year - parking lessons!  Amazingly enough we scored a parking spot just west of Broadway at a cost of $2.50, which left a nice surplus for our eating and drinking budget.  Which, was a good thing as we walked a block north on Amsterdam and found our way into a pub that had terrific food matched perfectly with a nice beer selection.  The Amsterdam Ale House is one of those joints that to the uninitiated can cause a bit of angst.  You know, a place that has a promising menu and a cool ambiance but just may not be able to execute.  As we perused the food menu and ordered beers (yum, Ommegang Rare Vos on tap!), we witnessed a nearby table receive their meals and quickly decided to copy them and it was burgers all around.  We did not regret our decision - including our eclectic choice of mixing up our sides so could experience all that was offered: fries, onion rings and sweet potato fries.  Why choose when you can have everything?  We also shared an excellent salad of field greens with walnuts and crunchy rounds of fried goat cheese - a perfect starter course for three.  No disappointment at all.  Our night was going well...

After dinner we walked around the corner and got settled into our seats for David Gray's opening act, Lisa O'Neill.  I'm going to be honest here (as if I'm ever less than that!) and say that I just didn't love her.  As a matter of fact, after a couple of songs we decided that the bottle of Maker's Mark at the bar held more appeal than her performance.  Go ahead - shoot me.  Sorry.  I'd be willing to give her another listen but it just wasn't working for me that night.

David Gray, however, was a joy to listen to.  For me, his songs when played lived didn't demand undivided attention but instead provided an easy background harmony to enjoy the company of my dearest friends.  You're probably familiar with his biggest hit, Babylon, but do yourself a favor and give his latest release, Foundling, a listen.  The lyrics are poignant and his voice beautifully melodic and haunting.  I really love the words he sings in A Moment Changes Everything:

The stolen glances, broken threads

The visions looming in our heads

The years spent running parallel

To everything that might of been

                                                         

I'm not spending a lot of time these days looking backwards, but will take those words with me into the future wherever it may lead. Hopefully, additional opportunities to see David Gray are part of that future.

Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings

The Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings show at the Egg on Saturday was the final event of last weekend's grueling social schedule - and what a way to wrap things up! Again, I can claim only a cursory familiarity (thanks to WEXT, 97.7) with Jones and her music, but I do know that she and the band melted the snow at the Egg last weekend. Talk about smoking hot! If you're not acquainted with the band, here's some information that should get you up to speed. And - they were the back-up band for Amy Winehouse's Back to Black album in 2006. What you may not gather from the link is the fact that Sharon Jones definitely has taken the crown from James Brown as the hardest working (wo)man in show business. At 55 years old, she was an absolute dynamo never slowing down from the time her feet initially hit the stage.

A couple of real writers have reviews posted, look here and here. If I had to really write a review, I would have to mention that the preliminary acts left me a bit puzzled.  Charles Bradley seemed like a bit of a caricature to me and I wasn't unhappy when he wrapped his set up.  The female singers were good, but not overwhelmingly so, which is what I guess you'd want from your opening act.   One of the night's highlights, for me, was witnessing Dimitrios Menagais (from the Wine n Diner) rock the stage with Sharon Jones early on in the show. I think she was quite taken with him - his zoot-ish suit and surprisingly terrific voice seemed to really be appreciated by Ms. Jones and I'm sure she didn't regret pulling him from the audience to join her on stage - very cool.  This show was very much a dance party - it was pretty much impossible to stay in your seat during Sharon's set.  Unless, of course, you were stuck between your freakishly tall friend and a guy with no sense of spatial allowance, but, that's another story all together. 

Although I hadn't really heen exposed to Sharon Jones until fairly recently, I understand she's played at the Green River Fest in Greenfield, MA and Mountain Jam at Hunter Mountain. Both of those music festivals are annual events, so keep your eyes open for another nearby appearance, get yourself a ticket and get ready to have a good time.

On being not cool...

3rd Row

Friday morning I got a Facebook message from a fellow Laker-girl making a couple of tickets to the DMB show available to me. Day of the show miracle, I call that.  I was so excited to get home and surprise Griffin with the unexpected news.  History: after relying upon someone else to get us tickets and being disappointed with their lack of follow through, Griffin and I were resigned to the fact that weren't seeing the show and the date of the concert had pretty much fallen off our radar.  When I got home in the afternoon and made the big announcement, it was very well received.  Griffin was psyched and after changing into a DMB t-shirt I bought him at a previous 2010 show, and a pair of skinny jeans without ripped knees, we headed down to his first big indoor arena show.  With a light meal at Dale Miller to proceed the show, naturally - he was feeling like filet mignon.  Not too shabby for an 11 y/o, right?

The fact that we had some quiet time to dine prior to the concert, gave us a chance to talk quietly - which was good.  It allowed Griffin plenty of time to express his appreciation and excitement about the meal and show, as well as the perfect opportunity to complain about how completely uncool I am.  Apparently part of the problem is my refusal to allow him to obtain a Face Book account.  Sorry - rules are rules and they have rules for a reason.  I'm all about breaking a rule which doesn't make sense...like the No Right on Red sign in the Delso neighborhood, which I pointedly ignore at 5:30 in the morning on my way to the gym, solo in my family wagon.  But the Face Book rule seems like a reasonable one, especially when you're talking about it in the context of an 11 y/o who too often texts me during the school day to complain about how bored he is.  Obviously, he already has some challenges following rules related to social networking and modern communication.  No reason to condone or encourage an additional means of rebellion. 

The other major coolness flaw I'm sporting is connected to our household adherence to the recommended audience for video games - if it is rated M for Mature, my kids aren't playing it - or at the least, they won't be playing it at home on our Wii.   I realize that they are exposed to some violence and inappropriate humor while watching television, but they don't watch it over and over again while trying to shoot someone.  And don't get me started on those games designed to simulate robbing a bank, stealing a car or sexually assaulting women - nope, not in my house.  I understand the Supreme Court is preparing to debate this issue, but I don't really need Clarence Thomas to tell me what is inappropriate for my child.  Thanks, but, no thanks.  This topic can certainly be revisited at some point in the future, but for now the decision has been made.  

Someday, I hope Griffin will understand and appreciate how being a cool mom has a lot more to do with with the places I do take him, rather than the virtual places I refuse to permit him to visit.  Until then, I'm okay with being "totally not cool."

Concert Etiquette - or Why Puking in Public is Bad Form.

image from topnews.in

After 2 weeks at the beach, and 4.5 hours in the car driving back from the beach, I was not totally psyched to head to Saratoga for a show last night.  But, I've never seen John Mayer perform and I was looking forward to getting away from the boys for a few hours, so, off I went.  I was a little surprised that a lawn ticket was going to set me back $42, however, I guess that's what things cost these days and there were two first rate bands playing - it averaged out to about the same amount per hour that I pay our babysitter, and Tom was home with the guys at no additional expense.  Bonus.

Now, the ticket price I was expecting, the crowd, however, was a different story in many ways.  My favorite secret parking lot was full, so I had to park inside of the park, which I hate.  It seems that every time I've been forced to park (for an additional $10) within the park's boundaries I get stuck in traffic after the show.  Or I get lost within the park somehow.  Or, they close the exit that I'm heading towards and I have to turn around and go completely through the park at a snail-like pace.  After backing into a spot (to facilitate getting out, of course), we walked to the gate to get tickets.  This fairly short walk was a mere preview of the overwhelmingly female composition of the crowd.  As a woman who considers herself more of a "guy's girl," I have always had limited patience with under-clad, over-served girls - they simply annoy me, and the brief walk to the ticket office made me question my decision to attend the show.  I couldn't believe how many young, drunk girls there were flopping all over the place.  I understand that I'm probably not the typical demographic for a John Mayer show, but is it really necessary to get totally loaded to "enjoy" a concert?  And why do I seem to see this consistently at SPAC?  I've gone to other outdoor venues in the area (Tanglewood, Bethel Woods) and I have never witnessed the same degree of public drunkenness that I have come to recognize as the norm for SPAC.  What is the deal?  

image from whyisdaddycrying.com

Train opened and they sounded great.  I must admit that I did not see any of their performance because I was working up the nerve to go near the lawn - I basically spent much of the evening sitting on the back lawn beyond the concession area, because I was repulsed by the vomiting, face plants and staggering around that I witnessed.  I twittered the early part of the show and was completely appalled by the uncountable number of people, who I personally saw, throwing up. This is not what I want in a show experience.  Nor did I enjoy witnessing the numerous trips between the crowd and the medical facility in that little emergency vehicle.  Their beyond-buzz really put a dampener on my show and by 10:30 or so, I knew I wanted to be out of there and off the road before these kids got to their cars.

For the record - I was really impressed by John Mayer.  Yes, he talked a lot but that guy can seriously play guitar.  His cover of Voodoo Chile smoked and I thought he played with humor, skill and enthusiasm.  I only wish I had gotten tuned in to him earlier - before his personal (ha!) life became larger than his musical talent, because I would have loved to have seen him at a small venue where the drinking age was enforced and the audience enjoyed music more than alcohol. 

Me & Neil & Karma

There are certain things in life that I will always think of as belonging to someone else and therefore unavailable to me. For instance, the Tolkien books were always my brother's thing and thus I never read them. Thank goodness for Peter Jackson's films otherwise I would still be in the dark about such things as Frodo, Gandalf and the importance of that damned ring. There's also some music that I so strongly associate with individuals that I resist adding it to my collection - sometimes because I simply don't like it (sorry, Tom, Frank Zappa will never be on my ipod), but more often because I would feel awkward about "stealing" it. Unless, of course, I was literally stealing the music, like the time I took every one of Aloysius' Ricki Lee Jones cassettes that I could get my hands on, just so he would stop playing them incessantly.

For many years Neil also belonged to Aloysius. He had older siblings who refined (created?) his musical taste and was definitely ahead of the curve (or maybe a flashback behind the curve?) on the Neil Young love. I remember the urban myth about Aloysius seeing Neil at the Garden and joining him from the audience on a harmonica solo - probably not true, but lovely to imagine. For me, though, Neil somehow was different; he was available. Perhaps because he had had so many incarnations through the years, I somehow didn't hesitate to embrace him as my own. Over the years, I've been fortunate enough to see him a number of times, once with C, S & N, a couple of times with Crazy Horse, and also solo. He is amazing! Watching him play guitar, stomping his foot and nodding his head, it is pretty clear that he birthed grunge. Probably without pain medication and with forceps.

A couple of Decembers ago, I went to see Neil at the Garden. Sarah had bought 2 tickets for us as an extravagant Christmas gift. It was so fun to be back in the Garden after a 20 year absence and the show rocked, despite the fact that our seats were total nosebleeds and the crowd around us barely registered a pulse. After the show we walked up 9th Avenue, occasionally stopping to warm up until we found ourselves at Kennedy's.

As we settled in to our last stop, enjoying our conversation with some Irish ex-pats, a new group filtered in. And they each had lanyards with all access passes to Neil Young - they were roadies! We hung out with this fine group for a couple of pints and had a great time talking music and shows. The evening ended with their promise to guest list us for the next night's show - and they really did! The second night's show was enhanced by our stage side "seating" and the addition of Aloysius, because when Mark asked how many tickets we needed, I immediately thought of Aloysius. This is where the Karma comes in to the story. Seriously, what are the chances of meeting Neil Young's lead sound engineer, getting guest listed and having one of your oldest friends, a friend who basically gave Neil Young to you, passing through NYC on his way from LaGuardia Airport to New Paltz, join you for the show?? It really was that spectacular.

The only way this story can possibly get any better is if our sound engineer friend, Mark, is able to hook us up for the Palace show next month. And if Neil and Mark let us make them dinner. To be continued...