Fritz

Dave Rawlings Machine last night. This plus Gillian Welch last week has been one of the musical high points of my life. The morning after and I am elated every time I think about it.

Gillian Welch! First time in Australia in 11 years. And it's the Dave Rawlings Machine next week! Oh bliss...

Granted, I'm a little drunk, but how good is "Changing of the Guards"?

Have just found this out. Really sad news. Bowie was my first serious musical obsession in life. Rest in Peace the Thin White Duke.

Gillian Welch Richmond Fontaine/Delines/Willy Vlautin

I loved Low in my teen years. Listened to it incessantly in dark rooms at night. Might try and seek this one out. I've had this on the shelf for a few years but have only picked it up these holidays. I'm loving it. The further I get into the book, the better the stories seem to get:

Up until two weeks ago, I had only heard of Jason Molina via these forums, but had never listened to anything. I had no idea of the scope and beauty of this music. Album after album I've listened to now and the quality of the songwriting and performance is consistently beautiful. I'm listening relentlessly to these records and have just found the artist I'm going to listen to for the rest of my holidays.

Two albums I've never heard before until tonight:

Robert Forster. A sublime show.

A friend of mine ordered the 18 disc version. With shipping to Australia he paid just over AUD $1000. Yikes.

Very true, cannot doubt your dedication for a second.

Ah! (I shake my head at how poor my memory really is!) Are you not making the trip to Meeniyan, Mende? Only two hours from Melbourne!

Nah, no Melbourne. Sunday night show works better. What happened at the Duke? My memory is poor.

Thanks for all the info. I might try calling a couple of those places tomorrow but otherwise I'll hold out until Monday. Looks like there are a few towns around the area with decent accommodation all within driving distance. We'll either drive the 10 hours from Sydney (!) or fly to Melbourne and hire a car. I'm trying to not get hopes high but it'd be great fun to see them in a country town hall. Edit: I arrived home tonight, posted the above, then checked emails. Should've done it the other way around. There was an email from the good folks in Meeniyan...two tickets for me and I've transfer

We're now considering a roadtrip to Meeniyan and have sent an email but I'm assuming they won't get back to me until Monday. I know tickets only went on sale yesterday but what are the chances it has sold out? I'm wondering if I should book accommodation over the weekend and cross fingers they'll have a couple of tix for me when I hear back from them.

Exactly what I was thinking. Australia has never seen Jeff perform solo. I'm hoping that the Tweedy setlists will follow a similar format so we can finally see this happen!

Yeah, this one is actually a Bandini one too, though written (or rather dictated to his wife when he had gone blind) much later in his life. I love his writing. When I start reading I just want to devour it in one sitting. He writes sentences so beautifully. I can also recommend 1933 Was A Bad Year (which has a knockout opening paragraph) and his collection of short stories The Big Hunger.

Getting tickets for the show at The Factory in Marrickville where Wilco played on the tour before last as an extra intimate/theatre show. Possibly the best show I've ever seen in my life and right up close, too. It's going to be great to see Tweedy in the same venue.

I loved this. I read it too fast and will read it again soon.

It reminds me of the intro to Big Star's Jesus Christ.