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SXSW Review 2012 - Austin Texas - Mid March.

The positives outweighed the negatives, but its got to be said that SXSW Music Festival in Austin TX is a truly monster event these days. Sadly it’s a far cry from my first visit in 1998.You’d be mighty lucky to get on a bus now, let alone get a weekend cab, or get into an official major show without some kind of badge (& there not only - the simple one for all expensive badges - these days). The Eastside of the freeway is a whole new scene & 6th Street you can hopelessly forget if you want to stay sane. Oh & beware of kids taxiing lazy sods around on tricycles. The pavement isn’t safe either. Having said all that, its still a trip of a lifetime and with so much live music to enjoy its absolutely fantastic.
YES on everywhere & unofficially free too. Everywhere you went, there it was – Lucy’s Fried Chicken, Maria’s Tacos, the St Vincent de Paul Thrift Shop & Vintage Store parking lot. Jo’s Coffee, Guero’s backyard bar, Yard Dog Arts & Crafts, Home Slice Pizza, Jovitas canteen, inside & outside. Waterloo Records even put up a stage in their parking lot. Both the Four Seasons and the very chic W Hotel featured live morning broadcasts, & that’s just for the day starters. It also got us seasoned UK veterans, me, Linda & Keith, Mac & Mick, Julian & Sarah out in the March midday sun of Texas for a week of musical debauchery. Here’s a brief account of what I mainly heard & saw.

Tuesday 13th
After a visit to Barton Springs for a dip, yes you read that right, a swim in the river, us crazy Geordies went to the whole’ food market, yes you heard that right too, & then onto Waterloo Records for a couple wristbands & some local cd’s before both ran out. It wasn’t until teatime we got our first taste of SXSW via a free ride to Stubbs on Red River from Ray Bans cars & our only free drink/food by way of a BMI party opener.
Downstairs in the cool of Stubbs BBQ room we saw the following: -
Ben Miller Band – A stomping threesome from up the Ozark Mountain’s playing authentic delta blues & beyond. If everything, was as good as this troupe then wow’ wee.
The Whisky Shivers – Barefoot Appalachian acoustic music by trendy young guys with their tops off. The String Bassist could narf slap that mother…er though.
Lera Lynn – Country noir with a fine mandolin/guitarist & a fine looking singer.
Hobart Bros & Little Sis Hobart- Not the only time we’d see this lot & that was a mighty thing too. Three different songwriter’s Susan Cowsill, Freedy Johnson & local hobo Jon Dee Graham playing together as a whole. All ego’s left behind.
Corrier – Young indie style music with loads of foot pedal’s on show. Mac quite liked them.
Along 6th street, we witnessed a fine bunch of bluegrass busker’s from New Jersey who were better than some of the BMI acts
Erik HokkanenTrio @ Flipnotics. We knew how to get to this local cafe, as its near Barton Springs & we were the only ones here with wristbands. It was well worth it for three masters of their instruments playing delightful Texas Swing. A geek buff with his computer switched on, got a short swift in between song slagging off from Eric. We laughed all night at that one.
The Whiskey Daredevils @ Soho Lounge. The bands motto is “The Whiskey Daredevils: Slightly Better Than You Expected.” I’ll says they were ! A punked up country’politain quartet with style, attitude & a wild front man.
Joe “King” Carrasco & The Crowns @ Skinny Ballroom. – The old meets the new. This venue had only just opened & we liked its space & coziness. We rather enjoyed the Tex Mex/ Doug Sahm/San Antonio sound of Joe & co, too. They were releasing their first album in 35 years, so was it worth the wait …… Err no!

Wednesday 14th
I had a sore throat from taking in water at Barton springs, but look on the bright side, I was up at the crack of dawn & able to witness some big names live on the Radio broadcast in the grand room of W Hotel on 2nd Street with The Lumineers, Ben Kweller, M Ward, Michael Kiwanuka. Bob Schnider & The Tosca Strings + Kenny Rodgers interview.
1000 locals were amazingly in the room to hear the artists play a couple of tunes each with rumors of a legendary figure being interviewed. Indeed there really was one & while I enjoyed the jolly Mr. Rogers been self – deprecating with his quirky answers, one really thought they were a little disappointed & expected someone who was ‘born to run’
Jenny O @ Jo’s Parking Lot – Overdressed as a rodeo cow gal in the spirit of Gram Parsons & nudie, Jenny got the early Texas afternoon off to a good one. Even Emmylou would have liked her stuff.
Brennen Leigh @ Lucy’s Fried Chicken - I love bluegrass, folk, old timey music & local songwriter Brennen’s oh so classy tunes brought the first tears in my beer moment.
Shovels & Rope @ Lucy’s Fried Chicken - Hailing from Charleston, South Carolina, Male/female voices, 2 guitars, a junkyard drum kit, handful of harmonicas, and above all songs perfect for a chicken diner.
Blitzen Trapper @ Jo’s Parking Lot – This was pretty easy listening MOR country rock for a band branded as gods by the indie kids. I suppose 70’s music is hip these days.
Ghosts Along Brazos @ The Tinniest Bar In Texas. This was one saloon to tick off my “things to do” in Austin list. It’s actually expanded & quite big. The GAB boys were ones for the future though. Not bad at all, but a smooth roots sound not quite there nether.
JC Brooks & The Uptown Sound @ The Ginger Man – My first taste of soul music at SXSW!! JC Brooks came on like a freight train & was charismatic, uncompromising & pure Chicago soul. The Ginger Man was seen shaking his booty.
Nakia @ The Dogwood – “The voice” as they call him here. Seeing this straight after JC Brooks was unfortunate for JC, as Nakia was absolutely incredible. Less soul & more Joe Cocker, but I could actually feel the power with his voice. It was blinding, I had to take my sunglasses off.
Matt The Electrician @ Gueros – This fella has a unique sound of his own. Honest folk pop with humor I’d say but its also quite gentle & unassuming. I really liked him & bought his album. By the look of him you’d think he needs the dosh anyway. Watch out Otis Gibbs.
Will Sexton Band @ The 18th Floor in The Hilton- I always come here for the best views of Austin. The cool grooves of local songster Will Sexton’s JJ Cale like music made it the perfect soundtrack.
Warren Hood & The Good @ The Driskel Hotel – Two excellent vocalist’s – leader fiddle/mandolins Warren Hood & piano lady Emily Gimble made the 1930’s Hotel into a 1930’s speakeasy with their impressive blend of hot Jazz/Blues & country swing.
Cotton Jones @ Swan Dive- I was a little lost with this band as I loved their old 1960’s Brain Auger –Julie Driscoll feel to self penned grooves, but they’ve gone all indie. Hence a lo-fi sing-along as a grand finale with what looked like a couple of Fleet Foxes.
Nathaniel Rateliff @ Maggie Mae’s Rooftop – Another lo-key end to the day. I like this man’s voice & his quietly confident combo but the sound never did get sorted. Hence only 5 tunes played & an early night was readily accepted.

Thursday 15th
I usually go to the Twang fest afternoon every year at Jovita’s, so why spoil a good thing as the sun shone out.
Lydia Loveless @ Jovita’s – What a start to the day. Easily the best young country voice I’ve heard in many a long year. She reminded me of when I first saw Neko Case @ Bloodshot’s yard dog event in 1998 & Lydia’s on Bloodshot Records too.
Chuck Mead @ Jovita’s - Always the total professional Chuck played a set of Nashville retro country tunes that had the afternoon tea dance floor packed.
Carrie Rodriguez @ Jovita’s – Good to see Carrie, and not only did she give me a hug, she played a more than impressive set of slightly left side roots country music. A certain highlight as Id forgotten just how good she was.
Sweetback Sisters @ G&S Lounge – This room stank. A great pity as the Sweetbacks are really good.
Brownbird@ Jovita’s – Music that was all over the bloody place & another great find. Just as the guitarist/singer started a raggy bluesy stomp the bassist/fiddler came lazily in with some Yiddish drone & gypsy swag & they were off on another musical fox chase. Must be something in that Seattle air.
William Elliot Whitmore@ Jovita’s. Banjo- guitar man William has the humor & songs from the heart, to capture the attention of any audience but the cracked voice of a 1930’s African-American bluesman is something that you just don’t get to hear everyday.
Otis Gibbs @ Lucy’s Fried Chicken – This was a set of classic Otis songs that made him well popular in UK & this particular Geordie man a very happy fella. I know he has a new album out but this was The Set .
Lee Fields & The Expressions @ Jo’s Parking lot - Pure soul & vintage R&B from a soul veteran who poured every ounce of himself into it & with his crack Brooklyn backing band made this a SXSW teatime treat that was never beat! Plus he gave us the anthem of SXSW 2012 “ I Still Got It “
Woody Guthrie at 100 @ St David’s Bethnel Church, with David Garza, Carrie Rodriguez, Ray Benson- a celebration hosted by his daughter on the folk singers 100th birthday, proved what a genius he was. Garza did a Wilco/Bragg thing, Carrie a couple political rhymes & Ray did 3 of his western songs…what else! However the Texas barstool was empty, as Ray Wylie Hubbard didn’t turn up.
Trixie Whitley @ Cedar Street Courtyard – She is the daughter of the late Chris Whitley & also in Daniel Lanois hot new band “Black Dub”. On this performance as a solo performer, I doubt she’ll make it.
Nikki Lane@ Cedar Street Courtyard – If I hadn’t seen Lydia Loveless earlier Id of thought Nikki was great, however I didn’t.
Diane Birch @ Stephen F Bar – A breakthrough act of SXSW a few years ago her stylish soul songs won me over but she’s gone all modern now, with a sampler on stage and a bloke in a hoodie…oh dear.
Hurray For The Riff Raff @ Treasure Island –My favorite band at the moment have gone a little more swampy & soulful but still have the folksy blues ethos. The band has expanded with the addition of some Tumbleweeds too. Need I say that they were marvelous ?
JD Mc Pherson @ Friends – A Frat boys’ pub on 6th St, was not the best place to see vintage rock n roll but they won the crowd over & dancing was witnessed.
The Gourds @ Antones- For music lover’s who like everything. It was an ideal end to such a wonderful day of live music.

Friday 16th
The Bellfurries @ Lucy’s Fried Chicken –JD Mc Pherson did one of their songs last night but this band have a much broader range with lashings of 60’s beat music. A nice morning starter yet again, me thought.
John Fullbright @ Lucy’s Fried Chicken. It has to be said that this place is a worthy addition to SXSW as the food is great & it’s an enjoyable place to hang. The red dirt sounds of songster John Fullbright were fine too. One to watch.

Me & Mac bought Jack White’s limited 7-inch vinyl from his Third Man yellow record van parked by the road on our way back down South Congress. We got pics taken with one of Mr Jack White's belles too !

The Abramson Singers @ Snack Bar – Just one quirky singer from Canada. I liked her & would have stayed longer but could hardly hear as she was drowned out by the noise coming from Jo’s parking lot. That’s always a problem.
The Deadstring Brother @ Yard Dog- He’s much better with the lasses than solo. What odds would I have got to have the same old “Split Lip Rayfield” T’Shirt on as somebody else in here? Unbelievable !
Wayne “The Train” Hancock @ Yard Dog. A real scoop for Friday’s Bloodshot party to have been given a rare visit from Wayne. He’s certainly unique & his Hank Williams esque music was amazing. The addition of a funny upright player who looked like Vic Reeves had the UK contingent smiling all the way.
Lydia Loveless @ Yard Dog – Second time Id saw her & this ‘ anti Taylor Swift ‘ young lady was the biz. A punk rocker that sounded like Loretta Lynn with a rocking band. This time the upright player looked like Ozzy Osborne!
Bruce Robinson/Kelly Wills @ Threadgills (Music Fog) - We stayed for a few family country duets but as this was being recorded for Music Fog the stage was scattered with camera’s all over the joint & the tables full. It was a very unfortunate.
Waco Bros with Paul Burch @ Yard Dog – Every year that I do this review I write that these guys “ rocked the joint & blew everyone away” with there madcap Clash meets Cash sound & antics. This time Paul Burch hardly got a look in & he has a new album out with them & is one of my all time favorites!
Alabama Shakes @ Jo’s Parking Lot - A lot of hype around for a band that have only had an EP out meant the parking lot was over capacity. They are canny though & have a Janis Joplin- rock soul vibe going on. But it’s nothing that special.
Barbara Lynn & Band @ Jo’s Parking Lot – Considering that she’s nearly 70 years old, Barbara still has “ A good thing going”. A very professional show of R&B & old skool soul that proved she’s still got the chops & is a living legend.
Alejandro Escovedo & The Sensitive Boys Orc @ Jo’s Parking Lot – Many Austinites call Alejandro a living legend and he got a huge local turnout for some new songs & some old played with his one- off big band. Some say that its worth coming to SXSW just for this.
The Mynabirds @ Lamberts – I knew Id made a mistake when the singer appeared with what looked like a fox hat on her head. Oh well, - so we got young & trendy indie music that was completely different from last time I saw them playing some soulful pop. Two years is a long time in music you know.
Yarn @ Skinny Ballroom – And this is why we come to Austin. We came in here just because we liked the bar & heard an amazing country band from Brooklyn playing straight- ahead roots rock. Gram Parsons meets Earl Scruggs music at its very finest.
Lucero @ Bar 96 – We had to queue here as Dinosaur Jnr were on the bill. Lucero are also why we come to Austin. Weeping pedal steel, horns a plenty, alt country/punk gee tar & the howlin yowl of singer Ben Nichols. Longtime rockers Lucero were just awesome.
Akina Adderley & The Vintage Playboys @ Continental Club – A little women with a big voice & a great stage presence & some old school R&B funk with a grand brass section that took Julian from The Cluny, up front, dancing his night away. It was just my first visit to Continental & it was over the road from the Motel …… times change.

Saturday 17th
Justin Townes Earle @ Four Seasons Hotel (Kut) – 10am start but Justin was worth it. Solo playing mainly tunes from his new album “ Nothings Gonna Change”. Tunes you could assume were from the Great American songbook. I forgot what an excellent guitarist he was too. Well, until he played a Lightning Hopkins blues.
Ramsey Midwood @ Easy Tiger Patio- I’ve liked Ramsey for years. In fact a show he did at The Bridge Hotel is one of my all time fav JHot Club gigs. This morning his infectious gospel blues & silly wordplay made me decide to see him later that day with his band.
Hurray For The Riff Raff @ Thirsty Nickel (Copycats showcase)– I forgot to say that the fiddle player swaps over with the drummer & the drummer plays guitar/harmonica & they now have a keyboard player too. But if you ever get the chance to see HFTRR, please go. They really are my favorite band and they’re from New Orleans.
Honey Honey @ Pekerheads – These guys reminded me of Larkin Poe albeit a bit more rock. They were hyped a lot here but I think they were really excellent & have a great lady front woman Suzanne Santo.
Anais Mitchell & The Young Man Band @ Threadgills – My legs had taken a right pasting walking up & down South Congress so I went to Threadgills for a sit down in the sun. How lucky I was then, to find that Anais Mitchell was on stage as a four piece with Banjo, Piano & Bass accompanying. She has an easy folksy way & her songs are well-built short stories. It was certainly an honor to get to see this show.
Joe Pug Trio @ Threadgills – Another classy songwriter with a lived in voice for one so young. He got a fella up to duet, an ageing songster, but sadly I didn’t get his name.
Shinyribs @ Lucy’s Fried Chicken- Another tick off the “ things to do in Austin ” as I got a Texas Chilli, to accompany the fine groovy music of Shinyribs!
Ian Mc Lagan & The Bump Band @ Yard Dog – I think our celebrated English export is getting better with age.
Wood & Wire @ The White Horse- This young local pure bluegrass quartet filled their local saloon with friends & family & did a version of “In The Summertime” which was a rather pleasant surprise.
Ramsey Midwood & Band @ The White Horse – Guitarist/songwriter Randy Weeks joined Ramsey & his full band for a smoking set of loose groove blues. A worthy venture out for us & we saw no rattlesnakes here either.
Hobart Bros & Little Sis Hobart @ The Continental Club – Also the second time I caught this troupe. Mind you they did do 16 shows @ SXSW. So you can imagine they were slightly better rehearsed now. Jon Dee, Freedy J & Susan Cowsill played like they had been together for years. The lyrics tell stories about cooks, waitresses, dishwashers, & the music ranges from catchy to gritty to twangy. Their voices blend together effortlessly & each takes their turn to sing. They said that they’ve no plans to tour this project. What a damn shame.
Chuck Prophet & The Mission Express @ Continental Club – If you had to ballot just who to finish the official SXSW off with, I’m certain the people’s choice would be Chuck Prophet. With a crowd full of UK promoters & worldwide fans who know your going to have so much fun with Chuck, the coolest dude in town, Stephanie & the band, its what they call here - a no brainer. And sure enough, a great rock n roll show was witnessed. Who put the bop in the shooby doo bop- CHUCK DID, CHUCK DID.

Sunday / Monday
We had a nice relaxing two days after the storm. We went to Gospel brunch @ Stubbs with The Bells Of Joy that was spiritual, & the local Rattle Inn with Warren Hood & The Good, who were better than good. It was light when we went in there & dark when we came out. We saw Phoebe Hunt @ Threadgills who was in the Belleville Outfit & has a pleasant sunny jazzy-folk sound although hitching a lift out there from a cowboy & his wife was just as cool. Our finale of finale’s was in the Continental Gallery’s intimate upstairs space, feeling nearly like someone’s living room we witnessed an evening with Jon Dee Graham & guests - The Mastersons, Chuck Prophet & Stephanie Finch, Alejandro Escovedo, Garland Jeffrey’s, Matt The Electrician & more. Money just couldn’t buy that one. If I do have any money next year, I’m sure Ill be back in Austin in mid March…..see y’all thenI hope !!!

Shipcote

Subject: SXSW 2012 - View From the Loud End

Reporting on the more electric rock and roll side of SXSW, without further ado, here we go, fasten your seat belts it’s a hell of a ride.
Tuesday
Official showcases on a Tuesday has never happened before. So the 2012 experience starts with a trip to see from Cleveland Ohio, The Whiskey Daredevils featuring ex Cowslinger main man and “Nurse The Hate” blog writer Greg Miller on vocals. The lovely Sugar on bass, Leo P Love on traps and ace guitar picker Gary. The WDD’s have a fistful of cd’s out and play great, tres amusing country punk tunes that quickly got the SoHo Lounge in a sweat. Rockin out in fine style. A stupendous start to what turned out to be a vintage SXSW.

Wednesday
Guitar Town at Dogwood. Admittedly not the greatest of venues but operating two stages indoor and out the music never lets up for 11 hours. We arrived in time to catch Chip Robinson who played without a band this year and sported a Gibson SG with effects treated us to a shortish set as he arrived late. His hearfelt vocals running through tunes from his excellent Mylo record. Sadly Chip looked pretty emaciated and is maybe continuing his battle with ill health.
The DB's pulled in a large crowd to catch Peter Holsapple and Chris Stameys rather OK college rock sound. John Dee Graham and The Fighting Cocks played next on the outdoor stage John Dee making his usual desparaging comments on SXSW and the first of many to slag off "stinkin badge holders" We headed to Huts to fill up on amazing chow before returning to Dogwood for The Silos Walter Salas Humara turning in a really passionate performace turning out a bunch of Silos SXSW faves. Nakia fresh in town following a long stint on Americas version of the voice came on with a cracking soul band neatly decked out in sharp suits and converse sneakers, hes come a long way since catching a quiet Sunday lunchtime session several years back in Blue. Nakia captivated the swelling crowd with a rip roaring blast of Texas soul., Shurman are maybe the hottest young band in Austin and they rocked the inside stage with a great blend of rocking country tunes with superb harmony vocals from Aaron Beavers and Mike Therieau.Playing a full set from thier new record "Inspiation". Harley Husbands really letting rip on his Les paul on "Apartment 9 Blues" getting a hard core band of locals dancing as only Austinites can.
Steve Poltz played a solo acoustic set, his incedible story telling and darkly hilarious tunes captivated a diminishing crowd."In it for the long haul" a gorgeous love song mutated into a tall tale of gut churning humour involving Steves Ma and Pa his collapsed lung and the porn mag stash they found in Poltz's college bedroom, wonderfully interwoven into the song which got the whole crowd linking arms and belting out the chorus to bring the end of a mighty set..
On the outside stage American Aquarium from N Carolina caught our attention and played a set which will prompt further investigation as a great new find. Dash Rip Rock played a very energetic set which included a first for me, playing slide with a full cows skull.
Things took an even more surreal twist next as Lindy and I made our first trip, in 10 years of intending to go, to the 18th Floor Bar at the Hilton on 5th Street. Found the Hilton Hotel no problem, caught the elevator up to floor 18. Where is the music room? as we roamed the hotel corridors we found other folk searching for the elusive music room too. Back down to reception "How do you get to the 18th Floor ?" The receptionist looked right at me and said "Sir. You get into the elavator and press 18" DOH!! Turns out there are two Hilton Hotels on 5th Street. Well we eventually found the joint and after taking in the amazing view caught a fabulous set by Will Sexton. This made the trip well worthwhile, Will and band playing laid back grooves which totally suited the surroundings. It was a trek too far over to Austin Music Hall for Alejandro Escovdeo so we had a night cap in pleasant surroundings and called it a day. Finding out the next morning in the paper we missed Sprinsteen and Joe Ely playing with the Alejandro and the Sensitive Boys. Still you can't win em all.

Thursday
An early start found us hiking up to Amelia's - a sorta odd ball thrift boutique place where in the back garden Tommy Womack played a private gig for Linda Mick and myself and Amelia. It wasn't a private gig but we were the only ones there. It filled up towards the end, with another 4 folks. Weird.
On to Jovitas were Chuck Mead & His Grassy Knoll Boys played a brilliant set of swing country and rock and roll. This got the dancers stepping out pronto and it was just after12.00 Lydia Loveless was new to me and much to my delight she rocked out singing songs about "drinking gallons of wine" and other such tales backed by her great band featuring a dble bass player and a guitar player chruning out scuzzy chiming heaven. John Doe played an acoustic set and after a few numbers we hightailed it off to The Continental Club to catch Slobberbone. While Mick and Linda stopped off for Pizza I dashed ahead to catch more Lydia Lovless which was just as good as the first time and a different set. The bad news was Slobberbone had pulled out with out any explanation. In a bit of a huff we adjourned to Waterloo Records to see Lucero who played a great set in the Waterloo Parking lot to a large crowd of maybe 600. The band now has a pedal steel player and was augmented with a two piece brass section which made a mighty sound and the new record rocks and swings.
The evening found me at the Karma Lounge for the Rank Outsider Records show case. The Soundrels and Glambilly weren't particulary great but I like to see the kids having fun. Gotta hand it to Glambilly as a concept. Bass player looks like a Motley Crue refugee and the guitarist could be Jimmie Vaughan 30 yrs ago. Bizzare. Onto Lamberts on 2nd St The Figgs (Grahan Parkers reent backing band) came on at midnight and turned in a brilliant set of garage rock climaxing in a raucous version of The Kinks "Victoria" Tommy Stinson (living legend in my book, bassist from one of my fave bands The Replacements) was on next and he was amazing. Playing with a large(ish) band and starting off on bass with the Stonesy "Its a Drag" Whoo OOH chorus and Tommy is wearing a sharp checked suit. His wife on backing vocals doesn't distract me. "Meant to Be" is one of my obiding memories of the whole trip. Chip Roberts (Tommys Pa in law) playing great slide. Getting close to 1.00am and Tommy pulls on a telecaster and launches into "He Means It" then "Friday Night Is Killing Me" from his first post Mats band Bash &Pop.Well its all way too much. Raunch and roll never sounded better.

Friday
Old habits die hard, so we nipped up to Yard Dog for the Bloodshot BBQ and got some cd's but then hightailed it out of there before the music even started. Making our way to 6th Street The Jackalope for Requiemme Management / Devil Doll Booking Party. Ignoring the free beer we set up a tab to celebrate Micks birthday. Beatiful View kicked off the long afternon playing a rock/ pop mix which was pretty loud. Next on show were The Biters a bunch of young dudes who looked about 15 with Rod Stewart hair cuts, cut off denim jackets and lots of tatoos they played a not unpleasant sub Ramones meets AC/DC kinda racket. I'd been looking forward to Austins Riverboat Gamblers who I thought were gonna be garage but turned out to be full on punk noise and the singer spent the whole set running around on the bar top which was fun for 5 minutes, but 10th rate Iggy Pop gets kinda wearing. It was a relief when they went off but loads of folk were digging it, some even older than us. Paul Collins Beat (featuring Peter Case) brought an air of respectability back to proceedings with some absaloute classic power pop. Chiming Rickenbackers, exquisite harmonies and truely great tunes and had Linda in raptures exclaiming they were the best thing so far this trip. Maren Parusel was an arty young lady who had a decent band and played melodic pop music which was nothing more than very easy on the ear. We were expecting Alejandro Escovedo and The Sensitive Boys next but quickly reailsed that this wasn't happening when they started setting up Jesse Malin who played without his St Marks Social band mates. Even as a duo Jesse and his pal were brilliant and he showed how to do the singing on the bar thing with superb a version of The Replacements Bastards of Young just voice and piano. Magic. Tommy Stinson turned up with his full band but as the stage was so small played a stripped down acoustic set climaxing in a heartbreaking version odf "Nothing"
Blinking out into the sunlight at about 6ish it was back to the Motel and Joes parking lot at 8.00.We all somehow all meet up in the middle for Alejandro Escovedo and his full band. Kicking off with an amazing new tune that has a gorgeous Whoa oh oh oh chorus soon had the whole car park singing. Eagerly anticapated special guests didn't show, so after the final note of a fairly tame "Rock the Casbah" we scuttled across Congress to the Continental Club for another great set from Steve Poltz and we even got a mention at the start of the show. Tell y'all about it sometime. Who should be on next but Paul Collins Beat delivering another classic show. Not able to face the walk into town past midnight once again an early night.

Saturday
After catching the strange Diego's Umberella at Yard Dog it was onto Jovitas for Deano and The Purvs which is Deano Waco and assorted Meat Purveyors who were fairly professional this year. Chuck Prophet & The Mission Express saw the place packed and they played a brilliant set featuring the new Temple Beatiful record and "Willy Mays Is Up To Bat" really brings the house down live with Stephanie Finch really finding herself and belting out the chorus at the top of her lungs. Chuck hits the tops with a guitar break on the ending Who put the Bomp. Stand by for a night of magic at The Cluny. The Waco Brothers play the most professional set ever, Jon Langford respledent in Wales rugby shirt to celebrate the grand slam. Meanwhile outside Kentucky Knife Fight are entirguing. But its back to Yard Dog where we meet up with old chums John P and Theresa. Chuck has to contend with 2 power cuts which kinda puts a damper on things so we scoot off to Marias Taco Express for Alejandro Escovedo's Party with our friend Betty. Unfortunately Ghost Wolf are maybe the worst band I have ever had the misfortune to see. Duo girl who's an awful (Thanks Chet) singer can barely play lousy guitar and a bloke on drums. Garland Jeffreys plays a great rocking set tinged with reggae flourishes a New York underground legend. Alejandro is MCing his party and introduces Maren Parusel who is better second time around and after GhostWolf a marvel. Lenny Kaye plays a solo set and Jesse Malin brings the house down. Alejandro and The Sensitive Boys bring the evening to a close with a much better less formal show than the biggie in the car park. The crowd are all itching to dance and pretty soon things are teetering out of control with the whole place on thier feet even though its probably a health and safety violation. This time Rock The Casbah really takes off and Marias are all digging that crazy Casbah Jive. The BIG YIN especillay
Back to Continental Club for Hobart Brothers and although I'd planned on seeing Lucero down town I am persuaded to stay and see Chuck Prophet again and he doesn't disapoint with a different set.

Sunday
The whole gang hooks up at Stubbs for Gospel Brunch (Thanks Julian and Sarah) and its great (too much) food Bloody Marys and an uplifting gospel band to wake us up. The evening /afternoon sees Linda and I in the CC for the long haul for Alejandro & Friends for a mere $20 you get Among others Garland Jeffreys, Jesse malin ,Tommy Stinson. Barfield is Mike Barfield (Stone River Boys) hot Texas Funk band. Billed as the tyrants of Texas Funk they ripped the roof off the place putting on a show that would gave James Brown a run for his money. Very tight, nod arf. Kid Congo and The Pink Monkey Birds have ditched the mariachi suits and Kid is back on guitar playing in that blow torch style that he did in The Gun Club. He's still as mad as can be but I guess having to play guitar keeps a lid on the total wacko side of his personality.
Alejandro brings the long evening to a close bringing back many of his friends for slots, the highlights being Kid Congo for Sex Beat and Lenny Kaye for a brace of Neil Young songs Powderfinger and Like a hurricane both full majestic versions. Peter Buck and Mike Mills of REM did a couple of tunes but didn't impress us. Rock the Casbah was fun with Jesse malin taking lead vocal duty and Jon Langford was merely content to dance around with his arms in the air like he'd scored the winning try and pouting like only a rotund large welshman can.
What can you say apart from Hi to our new scandanavian friends should you read this.

Keith Hughes