bböp Posted October 6, 2014 Share Posted October 6, 2014 A glorious day in Golden Gate Park, and an interesting slot for the Tweedy band's West Coast debut (as it were) on a stage made up of mostly very traditional bluegrass acts and traditional festival headliner/closing act Emmylou Harris.In fact, the host of the Banjo stage introduced Tweedy in part as "something for the youngsters." When was the last time that happened? Can't say a huge portion of the crowd was into the set — we saw at least one older gentleman looking Jeff up on Wikipedia — but there were pockets of fans scattered around as you would expect at a festival.Consider this a teaser, then, for a proper West Coast run, which I'm sure will happen sometime next year (if not sooner).The only unfortunate thing this time, I guess, was missing Mavis by one day and Nels/Cibo Matto as well. On the plus side, Sukierae executive producer Sammy Tweedy was in attendance! (We also spotted Nancy Pelosi, though she might have just arrived to catch some of Emmylou's set.)Anyway, here was the complete setlist as played:Fake Fur CoatDiamond Light, Pt. 1FloweringSummer NoonWorld AwayNew MoonNobody Dies AnymoreLove Like A Wire [Diane Izzo]Low Key (w/Scott McCaughey on keyboard)I Am Trying To Break Your Heart*New Madrid*Passenger Side*I'm The Man Who Loves You*Please Don't Let Me Be So UnderstoodOnly The Lord KnowsGive Back The Key To My Heart [Doug Sahm] (w/Scott McCaughey on keyboard)California Stars (w/Scott McCaughey on keyboard)* — Jeff solo acoustic Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Albert Tatlock Posted October 6, 2014 Share Posted October 6, 2014 That's all well and good, but were you spiritualised by the Malawi Mouse Boys? Never has the 11am graveyard shift seen such action. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bböp Posted October 6, 2014 Author Share Posted October 6, 2014 That's all well and good, but were you spiritualised by the Malawi Mouse Boys? Never has the 11am graveyard shift seen such action.I noticed that you were enthusiastic about those fellows! Certainly one couldn't help but be charmed by their enthusiasm and energy. Musically, I had some thoughts that I'll keep to myself but especially given all the bluegrass to come, it was definitely something different... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Albert Tatlock Posted October 6, 2014 Share Posted October 6, 2014 You sir have a cold, cold heart ;-) Well, some music I appreciate on a cerebral level, and some goes straight to the heart/gut, and how can you not like teacup percussion? I am a fanboy now.Meanwhile, thanks for the report. It tickled me to see a few glimpses of Sam on the stream as a 'proper teenager' looking a bit grumpy, whilst Spencer seems to have gone straight from child to man and I keep thinking that I want to be like him when I grow up :-) Also, there is NOTHING wrong with bluegrass that a bit of serpent clasping won't cure. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Albert Tatlock Posted October 6, 2014 Share Posted October 6, 2014 http://www.hardlystrictlybluegrass.com/2014/webcast/archive.html The TWEEDY broadcast can be found via this link. There is no sound for the first 30 seconds. Only The Lord Knows was great (again). Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bböp Posted October 6, 2014 Author Share Posted October 6, 2014 You sir have a cold, cold heart ;-) Well, some music I appreciate on a cerebral level, and some goes straight to the heart/gut, and how can you not like teacup percussion? I am a fanboy now.Meanwhile, thanks for the report. It tickled me to see a few glimpses of Sam on the stream as a 'proper teenager' looking a bit grumpy, whilst Spencer seems to have gone straight from child to man and I keep thinking that I want to be like him when I grow up :-) What can I say? Guess I must have learned it from Hank Williams. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Albert Tatlock Posted October 8, 2014 Share Posted October 8, 2014 Anyway, how was dear Emmylou? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bböp Posted October 8, 2014 Author Share Posted October 8, 2014 Anyway, how was dear Emmylou? I don't have a baseline in terms of her regular performances at HSBG, so I couldn't say if this one was pretty typical (or worse or better, for that matter). But I can say I was hoping for a little more collaboration; sort of expected at least one guest to join her at some point. And also there wasn't an encore, which again I don't know if that's typical or not because they have to close the park. Also, she seemed to be having some trouble with her in-ear monitors and keeping her guitar in tune at points. Didn't keep a setlist, but off the top of my head I remember her doing Orphan Girl, My Name Is Emmett Till, Two Bottles Of Wine, Luxury Liner and Sweet Old World. And a Ralph Stanley song, though I can't remember which one just now. Sorry, not a very good review on my part... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Magnetized Posted October 8, 2014 Share Posted October 8, 2014 Also, she seemed to be having some trouble with her in-ear monitors and keeping her guitar in tune at points. I didn't stay for her whole set because we went over to see Jason Isbell, but it really surprised me that she stood there tuning her guitar with no assistance for so long. Had that been our Jeff, there would have been a replacement guitar in a flash. Doesn't Emmylou have guitar techs? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Albert Tatlock Posted October 9, 2014 Share Posted October 9, 2014 That's a shame if she had technical difficulties. Hope you get anoher chance when she appears at that Mavis party.And I think she usually pops up at a few other peoples sets rather than them coming to hers.When I went Dave Rawlings was almost on stage - sitting in the corner grinning from ear to ear. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bböp Posted October 9, 2014 Author Share Posted October 9, 2014 That's a shame if she had technical difficulties. Hope you get anoher chance when she appears at that Mavis party.And I think she usually pops up at a few other peoples sets rather than them coming to hers.When I went Dave Rawlings was almost on stage - sitting in the corner grinning from ear to ear.The technical issues weren't too severe, but just enough to kind of hamper the flow of the set at times. Still always great to see her, though. And we were hoping Dave (and/or Gill) was going to show up, but then we remembered they had their own show — in Santa Barbara, I think? — that night...oh well. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mr. Heartbreak Posted October 9, 2014 Share Posted October 9, 2014 Thanks for all the Emmylou comments, everyone. My wife and I are going to see her for the first time next month, and I'm really looking forward to it. Now that you have forewarned me, I won't be too distressed if she has similar issues at her solo show. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
kidsmoke Posted October 10, 2014 Share Posted October 10, 2014 A few photos from last weekend: Spencer on drums Jeff grinning into the sun Scott "Tweedy" McCaughey helping out on keyboards Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Magnetized Posted October 10, 2014 Share Posted October 10, 2014 Good pictures, Donna! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
kidsmoke Posted October 10, 2014 Share Posted October 10, 2014 Also some Mavis shots from the weekend. She dazzled! We'll take you there! This photo strikes me as, "If Mavis ain't happy, ain't NOBODY happy!" haha What a joyous set this was! Everybody left just glowing. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cold as Gasoline Posted October 10, 2014 Share Posted October 10, 2014 Thanks for all the Emmylou comments, everyone. My wife and I are going to see her for the first time next month, and I'm really looking forward to it. Now that you have forewarned me, I won't be too distressed if she has similar issues at her solo show. For what it's worth, I saw Emmylou opening for Nickel Creek at Taste of Chicago this summer, and didn't notice similar issues. On the contrary, I thought she was a really strong bandleader, which I didn't really expect, but very much appreciated. kidsmoke, your Mavis shots rock! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
kidsmoke Posted October 10, 2014 Share Posted October 10, 2014 Thanks, Susan! She made it easy, she was having so much fun up there! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sandy in SFCA Posted October 10, 2014 Share Posted October 10, 2014 Great photos, Kidsmoke! I love the one of Jeff smiling. He seemed so happy that day. So were we :-) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Albert Tatlock Posted October 10, 2014 Share Posted October 10, 2014 Have to echo prevoius comments. Seen Emmylou 4 times over 20 years in Hot Band/new age/bluegrass/mixture incarnations and I don't think you should go there expecting a stuttering show. Her voice is not as strong as it was of course, but it's still a thing of wonderfully flawed beauty. Also echo the comments about the photos Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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