bcdoc

Wow -an absolute treat for the eyes and the ears. He played Milwaukee's Summerfest's Amphitheater last night (7-02-07), and he and his band were outstanding. If you can still see him (maybe three more shows on tour?), you would be a lucky person. He plays about a 75 minute opening set of greatest hits, then the entire "Dark Side of the Moon," and wraps it up with a killer encore. The inflatable pig came out during "Sheep," was paraded around the theater, and then released skyward as the band flew into sonic territory. They ended the night on "Comfortably Numb." Simply amazing.

EPM - You must have been just to my right then! I was directly in front of Nels...was that you?

I was the bald guy with the grin that was equal to the distance between Davenport and Bettendorf who was between EPM and Brianna. After standing that close to Nels and watching his wizardry, meeting the band, getting a picture with Jeff, and having my poster signed, I might retire from concerts. It could not have been any better. Thanks.

It was a scramble to get through. Fortunately, I got two for Saturday night - Box row Y3. I am not familiar with the venue, but I assume they should be decent.

That was great fun. The narrative - Lee inadvertently electrocutes The D, sending them all to hell where they meet up with and form a band with the anti-Christ, Charlie Chaplin, and Colonel Sanders on the drums. It does sound strange, but it worked. I can't count how many times I turned to my buddy with my mouth agape and said "What the f***?" - especially after the "episode" where Jack ingests magic mushrooms, goes through a bizarre dream sequence, and then gets chased the around the stage by a Mushroom. The Who covers also were a great surprise. Jack Black has an amazing presence. Great stuff.

The English Beat played a great, fun show at the Miramar Theater in Milwaukee last night. Though Ranking Roger was not with them, Dave Wakeling clearly was the center of attention (and rightfully so). The crowd was dancing non-stop through their two hour set. "Twist and Crawl," "Stand Down Margaret," "Best Friend," and an amazing "Save it For Later" were the highlights. Lowlights: some chick with hair like Peppermint Patty kept dancing at the front of the stage like a Vassar chick at her first Grateful Dead show. I am still picking strands of red frizzy hair about the length of a spaghetti noodle out of my mouth; and that they did not play "I Confess" though it was on their set sheet.

I had no idea that these guys were still around. Check them out if you get the opportunity; they are playing again tonight (Monday).

It is growing on me. Quick thoughts: "A Man in a Purple Dress" is top-notch acoustic song; there is a Tom Waits-like vocal by Pete on one song ("In the Ether") that at first left me scratching my head but is now working for me; and the songs "Endless Wire" and Tea & Theatre" are also worthy of finding their way on to a future home mix of Who songs.

I like it more than Face Dances & It's Hard, probably since my personal expectations for those two albums were so high at the time.

Final assessment: get it.

Tenacious D just announced a show at the UIC Pavilion in Chicago for Friday, November 24. Tickets go on sale this weekend.

As if there is not enough to do that weekend.

It was a fascinating show. I has goosebumps when Glenn introduced the crickets as background musicians.

I was nearly as pleased that no one in the audience called out for "Moby Dick" or "Play some Wilco." A very respectful crowd that came to hear two fine musicians demonstrate their craft.