LouieB

I got into Joe through Short Man's Room, with the Jayhawks, and I just think he keeps getting better and better. As good as Trampoline is, Scar and Fuse are also excellent and I thought Tiny Voices was even better. But the more I listen to the new album, the better it gets. Most artists don't get better over time, Joe is one who is not only writing better songs as he gets older, his production is also improving due to his work with others. I have probably told this story before, but the only other time I have seen him was at the second Flah fest here in Chicago. It had rained like crazy

Aw too bad....it is also Super Tuesday so at least you will have something to watch. LouieB

And that's the good part..... LouieB

Well I was just comparing him to Jon as they both have a similar career path. And his rhythm section is amazing (the bass player is incredible), whereas he is an okay guitarist and piano player, nothing flashy or anything (and he did seem to hit a few wrong notes here and there at the OTS.) All of this is quite secondary to his incredible songs and his equally good singing, so it wasn't really a knock or anything. He makes incredible records and he mentioned that he is going to be working with Allen Toussaint again (who is playing the OTS this weekend). Did I use the word incredible enough

I got a chance to catch the late show at the OTS on Saturday night and was certainly not disappointed. Joe Henry played with his regular rhythm session and while he is not the spectacular musican Jon Brion is, his wonderful songs more than made up for his lack of musicianship (don't get me wrong he is no slouch.) He had a nice laid back attitude, encouraging the audience to ask queestions between songs and did a nice selection of songs from his current album, as well as some older stuff. The longer I listen to his new album the better it becomes. LouieB

Did the Dave Alvin song get played in this thing, since they borrowed the title? (which I figure he borrowed anyway?) LouieB

Really bad. Is it not out on DVD? No wonder.... LouieB

He is probably out of ideas............... LouieB

Actually the els and buses are very safe until all hours of the night on the North side and full of people on the Red and Brown lines. I don't recommend taking the train too late or to parts of town you may not know, but otherwise yea, it may be less scary than a cab ride at some points, but then I rarely take cabs. As with any big city cab ride, it helps to know sort of where you are going to make sure you are not being taken the long way around on a cab. LouieB

Congrats to the Giants. I would love to be a fly on the wall at the Mannings. The Giants pulled this one out of their ass....good work. LouieB

Any way you look at it, health care is a major issue and needs to be addressed. Either way, a Democrat will at least try and solve this mess (and this goddam war) before President McCain will. Vote Democratic!! Time for some sort of change for sure. LouieB

No man..it is basically the same thing. Maybe a bit longer, but basically the same arrangement as the record, not much different. LouieB

Nah just grab a cab or better yet, catch an el train (or catch a fire, if you are Bob Marley fan...) Remember to tell the cabbie to go north... LouieB

I am just glad they showed..I don't care what they look like. LouieB

I was half kidding really, since I will probably lining up for the show on Saturday, but there are five more days....so maybe another day. Getting a cab is a great idea. There are also bus lines as well, but frankly if you have the dough, jump a cab. LouieB

Exactly..I hope it doesn't take 10 years to catch whoever did this. LouieB

When are they going to finish uploading all that stuff for the extra disks huh?? LouieB

Sort of a list of Dead and in the way..... All good stuff, all sort of old. (okay Grisman isn't dead...) BTW Joe Henry was fantastic....go see him if he is in town (he is going to Europe for all you Europeans.) Wow, TG is out of hibernation... LouieB

Hey, if you guys go, I will come too...depending on timing. Lately I have been getting into I&W and of course I love Califone. LouieB

Exactly... and also the one we saw about a year before, also at Fitzgeralds, where Dave Alvin was called back and a bunch of folks played along on some standards. Very fun and very unexpected. LouieB

Oh okay..you got it....tell me when ..I do live in Chicago (that should be obvious by now.) LouieB

Thanks for asking...I am getting worried too. Thanks for making us sweat MT.....eff it... LouieB

Right.... LouieB

Don't forget his new one.....Civilians which is excellent. Actually I am going to see him tonight. LouieB

Ornette Coleman and Pat Metheny....strangely together... LouieB