MarcO

The Del McCoury Band

After checking them out at Oswego 99, last year at the Tralf in Buffalo, and their short but sweet set @ Down From The Mountain, I think the time has come for them to visit T.O. for a full show.

Del's awesome! Great hair!!!

Oh, and Bill Frisell is a must-see, if he's an option within yer price range. Easily one of my favorite guitarists.

Hey there Mark - just so ya know, my e-mail to you last week took a number of days to reach you (I got that "your message has been delayed - do not resend" thing).

Just so you're aware.

I have lined up that interview, btw. I'll be in touch once I have something concrete to submit.

Don't be too late, friends! Last December 28th, I showed up a bit late and almost didn't make it in (and that was a first for me!) 'cos it was too packed.

Have a great time! You won't be disappointed!

Shainhouse seemed to be interested in trading for it. If that falls through, keep me in mind. I'll send ya the blanks b&p style (I'm burner-less).

For the record, I've only heard two of those bands people are talking about: The New Deal (hell YES!) and The Disco Biscuits (hell NO!!). But I'd love to check some of it out.

(To my ears, the New Deal are just a kick-ass rock band. I try to see them as often as I can. Look for a gig at the Kee To Bala to be announced for August! )

"Read All About It"!

Yo Mighty T - I'm flying solo tonight. I'll be heading down there for about 10. Remember how packed it was last Dec 28th?

Call me if you want to stop by b4hand.

I fucking love the Fat Cats!

Let's get it on!!!

He may have a point. I gotta say, I have a handful of P+F shows, and I *never* listen to 'em. I put them on, and generally get bored, and move on to something more engaging to me. And believe me, I could listen to the Dead all day long (and often do). Had a good time at Deer Creek in 2000, catching P+F, but have never really developed a fondness for what they're up to. Although, I am glad they're doing it.

I know you're not supposed to say things like this around here, but I for one am not too excited with the Herring/Haynes line-up. But then, I've never been a big Allman Bros fan either. I respect 'em, but never really want to hear them.

Just my $0.02.

Still, promoters and booking agents should be realistic as to where they book a show in each market. Phil and Friends play at the 2000 seat Fillmore in Denver, CO. I remember a Boise show being downsized. Seems kind of weird they would be booked at one of the largest venues in Toronto.

A smaller, indoor show would have been more like it, especially with Darien coming hard on Toronto's heels.

he wasn't at Red Rocks either.

that's all I heard.

Just wanted to add my enthusiasm to this topic: you Ottawa folks are in for a real treat tomorrow night. This show was an embarrassment of riches. First of all, I gotta say that Jerry Douglas is my hero. He played some dobro solos last night that just spun my head around. So tasteful, so talented. Secondly, gotta give it up for Emmylou. The first song she sang last night just sent shivers up and down my spine. What a beautiful singer, and a beautiful woman! Loved the Del McCoury Band (as usual), especially their opening number, a fantastic cover of the great singer/songwriter Richard Thompson's "1952 Vincent Black Lightning". Excellent. Nevermind Ricky Skaggs, who was excellent, and I wish had taken the stage a little more often. There were duets, trios, collaborations all over the place. Alison Krauss and Union Station were impeccable as usual, and it was genuinely sweet to finish the show with Ralph Stanley scaring the bejesus out of us all with "O Death", and then an all-artist/audience sing-along.

I mean, the whole night was an insane parade of talent, and was definitely worth every penny. Highly recommended, go see it. Who knows if this line-up will ever tour like this again?

Also, for those who may be looking, Skaggs Family Records have been picked up by a Canadian distributor (Festival). According to Ricky, this means we'll be seeing a lot more of them up here, as well as getting access to their expanding catalogue without the import charges. That is definitely good news!!

Let's not get nuts and start comparing Neil Young's vocals to Phil Lesh's.

To say that Phil's vocals are an "acquired taste" is - IMO - being rather polite.

Warren, on the other hand, is a more than capable singer.

BTW, please consider my criticisms in the light they are intended: Phil Lesh played bass guitar for the Grateful Dead for 30 years; therefore, he can sing whatever and whenever he wants and play with whomever is lucky enough to play with him. And if he ever asks you to kiss his ass, you better pucker up! It would be my great honour....

So, the winners from the contest here on the board have NOT been announced/informed yet? Is that correct?

Cool, cheers guys. Now, for your further enjoyment, here's another great shot. Take a stab at this one, if you please:

(Me thinks Trey enjoyed his last solo band tour! )

"..and then in Oysterhead, we were doing lines THIS long!!! he he he..."

I'll be there, looking forward to it, too! I caught AK&US at Massey Hall in April and it was a beautiful show. Also, can't wait to see the Del McCoury Band again. Gotta love the old-style one-microphone approach. Totally looking forward to checking out Skaggs and Emmylou harris as well!

Have fun!

She did have a good time, indeed. Did she have a chance to soak down yer crotch area with her water pistol? Hope so. I know she was really looking forward to it.

Just wanted to give a shout out to the crew that put together the latest issue. Looks great. My girlfriend brought back a copy from CTMF and it is surely the best one yet!

Nice interview with 'ersh (who speculates that BNB will return w/ new material) and a fantastic talk with Gatch from the Fatties (what a great bunch o' guys). I hope that with all the talk of more gigging, they make their way outside of the Southern Ontario region more often so everyone can get a chance to catch their grooves. It blew my mind to think they're in their tenth year!

I also took note that Nero are coming to Hamilton early August; hey Nero - if you need any help w/ anything, contact me please. Also enjoyed the interview with Ms. Huxtable. Looking rather chill in the photo, madame!! Also Sean, I really enjoyed your piece. This is just the kind of level of debate I would hope to see this publication encourage. Nicely done.

Mark, Mike, way to go. Nice job!!

So, uh.... how was the MUSIC???

My take on this one is that as long as this IS the final tour, then there is no disrespect to the memory of their fallen bandmate. It really was last-minute, and it can't be easy to shut down a three month tour just like that. Could've delayed a few gigs until the man is buried, though.

What's really disturbing is the news that The Doors may tour next year, with Ian Astbury (The Cult) filling in for The Lizard King. Ugh.

Excellent, excellent show. God, Scofield is a fucking monster, and his band is so tight, it hurts. What a gift to have a guy like Avi Bortnick in your band, eh? The guy covered samples and acoustic guitar, he whistled and otherwise played just the FUNKIEST rhythm guitar playing you can imagine. I enjoyed the couple of new tunes, and the UberJam material stretched waaaaay out, for the most part. This band has come a long way from last year's Guvernment show.

There was a little bit of confusion in the crowd though. See, there was a small crowd of gawkers strapping themselves to the front of the stage, getting their grooves on, choosing to be rather oblivious to the, oh, thousands of people SITTING behind them, enjoying the music in their way. Obviously, then some people couldn't see. The clincher came when Scofield took the mic and said: "Well, this guy over here says you should all stand up.... but then some of you might not be able to see.... um, you just work it out for yourselves." Then, he said it: "Now, I prefer when people are dancing but...". So, at that point, a little confusion kind of took over at least my area of the audience (middle front section). People stood up, looked around, sat down, stood up again, sat down again, people yelled to sit down, people yelled to stand up, and so it went for the second half of the show. Don't get me wrong, I love to stand and dance and groove. Also, I love to sit and relax and listen. Whichever is fine for me, I'm there for the music first. But an audience has to do one or the other, and unfortunately, this one seemed a little confused, mostly by Scofield himself.

But then, that in itself is what makes a guy like Scofield, and this convergence of the old and young so volatile and interesting.

Great show.

What do they mean 10pm - 1am? Are they serious?

In the past, they were lucky to hit the stage by 11pm, and playing until 2am was a certainty.

Although, being a working oaf, a 1am finish would suit me nicely. I just don't think it's gonna happen.