Thoughts, Ponderences, and Updates

So, The Avett Brothers.  Last night.  Minneapolis Zoo as part of their summer concert series.  What and amazing, amazing show. Had I money unlimited, this is one band I would follow around the world. Last night's show kicked off with Left on Laura, Left on Lisa, a song that I'd been You Tubing just a few hours before.  I wish I'd have thought to jot down the set list, but I was too busy shakin' my ass.  From what a recall, a few of the highlights were At the Beach and Salvation Song from Mignonette, 16 in July from Four Thieves Gone, Murder in the City (done solo by Scott) from the Second Gleam EP, Salina from Emotionalism, and I and Love and You from their upcoming album of the same title. 

As the show was part of a summer concert series, many people that wouldn't necessarily go to another venue to see live music buy season tickets as their big dose of culture for the year.  With that in mind, there was the potential for a pretty luke-warm reception.  Not to be. As always seems to be the case with The Avett's, the energy from the band wound up permeating the whole crowd, until there wasn't a seated attendee by night's end.  Couple that with just down-right amazing music and it all adds up do a damned near religious experience. 

Please forgive the non-pro photos. This is the best I could do with what I've got.

...and some of it's wacky inhabitants. 

I’ve talked about the Madripple Hootenanny previously here, here, and probably other places too. Last night was a special affair celebrating the opening of Tony Nelson's photography exhibit chronicling these little musical gatherings.

In true, never-know-who-will-show-up spirit of The Hoot, tonight we were graced by none other than Jon Auer of the Posies.

I've never been able to stand Hillary,  so this cracks me up. Try a little imagination, please.

I've been a fan of Kasey Chambers since I first heard her album The Captain when I was in college.  Up until tonight, I'd never been able to hear her live.  Tonight was not so much about Kasey as it was a family affair with she and her husband Shane Nicholson sharing the singing duties almost equally and Kasey's dad, playing along and throwing in a couple of numbers too.  The set drew fairly heavily from Kasey and Shane's Rattlin' Bones record that they released together earlier this year, there were also numbers from Kasey's and Shane's solo records, and a few well-chosen covers (Gram Parsons, The Carter Family, and Tom Waits come to mind). While Kasey's voice definitely has that old country twang quality,  Shane's is crystal clear and smooth (several times reminding me of Neal Casal), nonetheless, they sounded wonderful together. The always wonderful Justin Townes Earle opened.

In summary, great night of music, super respectful crowd, and I came away with a new fan of Shane Nicholson....gah, more music to buy.