July 11, 2009
Tom, Christin, JNo, and I took in a couple great shows in the last week as first Fountains Of Wayne and then The Hold Steady were in town.
Fountains of Wayne played an acoustic set at the High Noon Saloon. This is one of those bands that I just plain like – even one of their lesser albums cracked my top 25 in 2007.
Their list of hit singles is short and (unfortunately?) is headlined by “Stacy’s Mom”. We were discussing early in the show how they would treat that song — I can’t imagine it’s the bands favorite… and it can’t be real high on the list for most people going to see them in 2009 (meaning: fans) either. but on the other hand, you can’t just *not play it*… can you?
They did end up playing it but with a much different spin to it. A much more playful take that was well received by the side of the audience that came just to hear it, as well as the side that could have done without. Well played guys.
There was no sign of Tinted Windows… which is probably a good thing.
Detour. Before I get on to The Hold Steady show, that comment earlier about the Top 25 in 2007 just forces me to mention: Wow, what a year. Look at that list. Kings of Leon at #23?? That album is awesome. There have been some pretty good discs already this year, but wow – it’s not even going to be in the same ballpark as that 2007 list.
Ok, sorry. Onto The Hold Steady show at The Majestic. This was actually my first time at the Majestic and I really liked it. The interior has several terraces – allowing for people to be a bit further back but still see over those on “the main floor”. From our place at the back of that main floor the sound was real loud… which is a complete necessity for The Hold Steady.
It wasn’t my dream set list but they did play several of my favorites (update: props for the set list, in the comments, here) and (as always) put on a great live show. The crowd was completely into it – lots of Twins hats around that place last night as the crowd came down from MN to see the “local” favorite. … I was thinking when I got my wristband for the night: how awesome would it be if The Majestic had Brewers wristbands when The Hold Steady came to town? I’d love to see all those guys have to put those things on!
Great to see them again live – You can pretty much sign me up anytime these guys come to town.
update: short video from the show
June 17, 2009
Blind Pilot’s “3 Rounds and a Sound” was one of my most anticipated Christmas-list discs last year. I had heard a track or two somewhere and really wanted to give the full disc a chance… I was not disappointed in the least – very good disc – it made me want to catch them live, but when I checked their tour schedule – the only WI date was in Milwaukee.
The Riverside is a great venue but they were with the Decemberists (who I am already seeing later this summer) + the drive to Milwaukee + I really just had it in my head that I was going to see this band at a smaller venue, before they take off. So, I quit my search.
Yesterday, at the last minute, I noticed an announcement that they were playing the High Noon Saloon in Madison… that night! Short notice isn’t the easiest with a small kid but strings were pulled and I made the show (thanks Monnie and Henry!).
They were great live and I’d highly recommend checking them out. The straightforward guitar/banjo/bass/etc sound, complimented with very strong vocals were right on. Throw in a smattering of glockenspiel and trumpet and you’ve got a real winner.
Seriously, give them a listen out here. and see them if they come to your place. You won’t be disappointed.
June 14, 2009
Monica, Henry, and I just returned from a great trip out to Portland, ME.
Aside from seeing the girls (meeting Milena!), we were out there to participate in Mike’s residency-graduation. It was a great event – Mike won the “Resident Teacher of the Year” (<– may not be exactly right) award. A great honor and the only award given to his class. The highlight of the evening (for me) came after the following setup:
- The head of the program (<– I think) was speaking about how some situations only result in a patient surviving when every decision is made correctly — at the correct time — in the correct sequence. … and one of those situations occurred on a day when he and Dr. Mike Halberg were working the med-tent at a marathon. On that day, a man who had just finished a half-marathon was “not feeling well”. In reality, he was having a heart attack. Mike recognized it, made all the right decisions, and saved the man’s life with chest compressions and AED.
- He went on to talk about how the residents shouldn’t be discouraged by a lack of “thank yous” from patients. The patients are often having the worst day of their life and may not be in any shape to deliver such a message.
At that point he invited up the “surprise speaker” – none other than the man who Mike had saved at that marathon. It was an incredible speech as he not only expressed his thank-yous (and thank-yous to all the residents on behalf of the patients he was representing) but also listed some people who’s lives would be much different if a single mistake had been made: wife, children, grand children, and the list went on — powerful stuff.
Congratulations Mike!
May 1, 2009
As if Guido (the Italian Sausage) hasn’t been through enough, he may have reason to believe there’s something even more sinister afoot.
Take a look at the Sausage Race standings through the first 11 home games:
- Hot dog: 6
- Bratwurst: 4
- Polish sausage: 1
- Chorizo: 0
- Italian Sausage: 0
My first thought when I saw those standings was the same as yours: Not only is this thing rigged – It’s rigged against anyone who wears their nationality on their sleeve. Who is Frankie Furter (aka “Hot dog”) working with? I mean, c’mon these results are pretty lopsided.
After a bit of investigative reporting, what I found was much more troubling. Frankie spent the majority of his offseason working out with none other than Mr. Jose Canseco.
Calls to the league office were not immediately returned but it appears that because the sausages are not part of the MLBPA (baseball players union), they are not subject to drug policies and testing as the players are.
Clearly the FDA needs to step in and get us some answers. The season may go on but we’ll forever remember it with an asterisk.
April 22, 2009
There was great sadness when Henry had to quit playing basketball to go inside and take a bath tonight.
I explained that even Lebron James has to stop playing basketball to take a bath before bedtime… it was little consolation.
