Wendy

Chitaper, thanks for recording that ... The "Sparkle and Shine" song was my favorite right away ... it is so sweet and simple. He certainly does seem quite smitten with his lovely new wife. He also sang "City of Immigrants" with wife Allison Moorer ( ) I like the album a lot. But I'm listening to it without any expectations (I am new to Steve Earle's music). I have no idea what a Steve Earle album "should" sound like. I'm taking my 30% off coupon to Borders and get the CD/DVD deluxe edition, cuz I'm just a sucker for the deluxe editions of about anything.

I'd forgotten how amazing this record was until last night in the car on the way home from Chicago in the rain ... I don't think I've listened to the whole album in 20+ years, seriously -- but I still knew every word, every note. What a masterpiece. I was blown away and actually wanted to keep listening in the car once I drove into my driveway even though it was almost 2:00 a.m. This did not, however, diminish the awesomeness that was Steve Earle's brief set at Martyr's last night.

Aw, Edie! I love the way you think! *crosses fingers*

Continuing with your concert-readiness checklist, don't forget this one: Check your tires. True story: Unbeknownst to me, I had a nail in my tire and a slow leak, which the Jiffy Lube people caught the day before hitting the road for a 3-1/2-hour drive to Detroit for Stevie Wonder. If I would not have had that oil change, I very possibly would never have made it to the show. Jiffy Lube rules!

me too - sorta reminds me of this old Playskool Village we used to have when we were kids back in the 1960's -- we had the village mat and the lake mat, and you placed the painted wooden buildings and boats and piers and trees and cars on the fabric mat, and created little communities. I think my mom still has them.

I made it in for the Califone set, but it was a crazy day in Chicago. Nearly was killed by a runaway RV at a signal light in Plymouth, IN, and got stuck in bad traffic downtown Chicago. Plus it was very very hot and the show was under a clear plastic tent, so I felt like I was in a sweaty greenhouse. I came to see Califone, and it was only 6 songs or so, much too short for me. But I will come back and see the exhibit another time, as it was too crowded and I ran out of time on Sunday. (And I spotted Pat as well ) Sounds like you enjoyed all the bands. I heard only the last couple of so

I suppose the only downside would be the long drive to Chicago and back on a work night and gas money. It's never really free for me. Plus, I had plans to hear Carl Bernstein speak in Fort Wayne's newly opened Music Hall ... 1600 seats, Hellooooo Wilco! It was Washington Square Serenade that I listened to, and now second time through, so many pretty songs. I keep threatening to get rid of my Rhapsody subscription, but it keeps coming in handy in a pinch. I'll be cramming Steve Earle for the next couple of days. Thanks for the overwhelming "yes" opinions!

I enter these XRT contests just for the hell of it, figuring I won't win. But this time I did. I don't even know if I can get off work. Plus, I have only listened to Steve Earle a handful of times, and I loved everything I heard, I just never gave enough effort into getting into his catalog. I would totally give this up to some of you Chicago people who are big fans if I could, but I don't think that's something they'd let me do. Is it worth it as a newbie to try to attend?

I loved this show. It was so funny banter-wise and fantastic musically. I lucked into a front row seat after the "pee break." "Sweet Lil Gal" was really beautiful on piano. And "Easy Plateau" is one of my fav's, and it morphed into "Space" and ... woah. What a killer way to end a show. "Bartering Lines" was a highlight. Well, the whole dang performance was wonderful. Favorite banter? Probably the slagging he gave to Maroon 5, singing high-pitched and weird like that Maroon 5 guy does, making fun of their lyrics (and his own) and their name. "I think we need a number in our band

I recently won from an XRT contest a copy of the newest Dave Matthews release, which is a DM and Tim Reynolds live acoustic at Radio City Music Hall 2-CD set. I listened to one CD while driving to Champaign/Urbana last Thursday, and by about the 4th or 5th song, I'd had enough. Sad. Because in the first couple of songs I was amazed at the guitar work. But I guess I'm a "small doses" listener, too.

Damn. These videos are fantastic. Thanks Matt. Why, oh why did I wait until it was too late to get tix for his show at The Ark. Alan, lucky you!

Enjoy your birthday all weekend long!!!

Have a great birthday weekend! One day just isn't long enough!

forget the new song. We've got Andrew Dowdall here!!!

Oh, Crazy Larry, you're still my favorite ... But I love you all!

This is an extremely valid point and well made. For crying out loud, give this guy a break and get off his case. He has been very upfront about what he came here for. And so what if he has music to listen to? Shouldn't this section be about the music, anyway? What if we were all standing in a large public room, like a bar, with lots of people chatting about music in general, and a guy walked up with some songs on CD and asked if we wanted it for free. Would you verbally abuse him and physically chase him off as an uninvited stranger, or would you thank him politely and say, "Sure, I'l

Nothing to get excited about - that was just a big glossy pamphlet put out by "The Rave" in Milwaukee promoting their upcoming Rave and Eagles Ballroom shows this fall. Wilco is playing there Oct 9.

OK, I'm done with this thread, as my 1-1/2 years is just a tiny bubble in comparison to the rest of you who have gone through the highs and lows of Ryan Adams performances over the years. Kinda sounds like a manic roller coaster ride to me. I do realize that at any turn, I could be thrown out of the car as well. But so far my little bubble of bliss has not been broken. I feel like I've gotten my money's worth. I'm 6 for 6 and here's hoping it ends up being 9 for 9 when my experience with him is over. And I'm rooting for him, too

... I'm bringing 3 Ryan Adams newbies, so I hope no more drama, or my road trip buddies won't trust me ever again! We're sitting in the left side of the loge, 3rd row. Allison - just like where we were sitting for Arcade Fire. Call or PM me if you, Kris, Alison - any of ya'll - are interested in joining us for dinner earlier. We have no plans for where, though, but we can figure it out as we go.

I have tickets for 3 more shows ... I could yet be disappointed, and I hear ya completely about your frustration. You have had some bad experiences and I wouldn't blame you for not seeing him again. Obviously I've just been lucky. And I don't have that long-term experience like so many of you do, as I never saw him until 1-1/2 years ago. And thanks for bringing up the fact he could have done a few solo songs. Good call. Too bad his frustration level was apparently beyond that required (for him anyway) to have that kind of composure.

Man, where was CNN when he played Chicago in January? or Louisville in July? or The Gem Theater in Detroit? It must be a slow entertainment news day, because IMO this really isn't very interesting news. But then again, CNN gave Wilco press when Jeff Tweedy entered rehab. OMG! Alert the media!

FYI: There is a thread in "after the show" about last night's Minneapolis show that is getting all kinds of (negative) buzz, so head over there if that's what you're looking to read/comment about. http://forums.viachicago.org/index.php?showtopic=31226

i've seen him in detroit, indy, kalamazoo, ann arbor, louisville, and chicago in the last 1-1/2 years. Nothing but great, great shows. Some longer than others. The one in chicago just would never end. It was amazing. Some shows were before the wrist injury, some after. I feel sorry for the people of Mpls for the short show, but here's a report from ryanadamsarchive.com and it makes you wonder how could he keep going on if he couldn't hear himself sing or play guitar. from another account: when we were hanging around outside the kalamazoo show monday night, the first thi

St. G! Hope you have a fun day in Portland with your buds!

Lovely and smart, too. She knew what she wanted, and that was to wait for him to come out and greet the fans. I had my doubts that he would, but he did. I'm glad we did wait, as it led to Leo & Mary's cool encounter later on. Unfortunately I was already on the road heading home when the last part happened, but I'm so happy there was some closure of the weird "drunk neurosurgeon" thing. The whole evening was really stellar. So much fun, filled with great tunes by a great band. Kick-ass seats in the 2nd row pit, and I even got some of that elusive "swirling sound" that sometimes ac