Show: Brandi Carlile & Ray Lamontagne at the Grand Ole Opy House 9/21/11

I can't believe I almost didn't go to this show. But a friend had a last minute ticket for me and I already had friends going, so it worked out perfectly. I may have skipped my evening run but, it was worth it.

I don't know what it is, but I am not the biggest fan of female singers. I have seen Brandi Carlile a few few times before and enjoy a few of her songs, but that's about it. I sat with a few friends in the third row on the side for her set. Brandi Carlile got her start in Seattle, so it was fun to here her talk about all the Seattle places she played on her way up.

She closed her set with a cover of Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah.

I first saw Ray Lamontagne back in 2006 at the Ryman Auditorium when he was on tour with Guster. He had a bit of a meltdown and ended up saying a few choice words and then walking off stage. I was unlucky enough to be sitting second row for his verbal attack and it definitely left it's mark. When his show comes around, it's always one I want to see but hesitate because of the lasting affect of the first show I saw. First impressions count people! However, I keep going back. I saw him a year or so later at the War Memorial and then I missed a few and went to this show on Wednesday.

Ray back in the day at the Ryman

Despite the previous meltdown (I am going to chalk that one up to stage fright although I am sure there was a lot more going on...), I love him. He has a great voice. Trouble is one of my favorite albums and I love the song as well. His CD's are great, but there is just something about his live performance. I ended up having to leave my friends and go back to my seat. Greeting me were two of my friends who were relocated right next to me because they had a few obnoxious people behind them. What luck!

Every time he says the word saved, I got chills. LOVR!

Has an artist ever left you with a bad taste in your mouth after seeing them live? Please tell me I'm not the only one this has happened to!

Pear Jam Twenty

Last night I went to the Belcourt Theater to see Pearl Jam Twenty with a couple of friends. It's hard for me to believe that PJ, along with Nirvana and DMB have been around for 20 years. The music of the early 90's and 90's in general are my JAM. I can't believe it is essentially considered oldies music as in many cities it now has it's own dedicated station. My favorite part of my drive from Nashville to Charleston, WV is the part just before Elizabethtown and Lexington along the Bluegrass parkway where I can tune in the Generation X station. There is just something about music from the 90's that is so deeply attached to memories of growing up. I love the memories that a song can bring like driving around in my car listening to One Headlight by the Wallflowers or going to my first concert (Dave Matthews Band).

For a band that has been around so long I really didn't know a whole lot about their entire history. This documentary did a great job of touching on their early career and how they changed because of the fame. I am sure the diehard or just more knowledgeable fans will be more aware of things that were left out. The scenes of Seattle and the Northwest definitely made me miss Seattle. I also know that if your favorite band ever plays in Europe you should go. Seeing scenes of their shows in Veronoa, Italy definitely brought back memories of seeing Dave Matthews Band in Lucca. Also, I have a new desire to listen to the entire Pearl Jam catalog. I wouldn't be surprised if some Pearl Jam ends up on my marathon play list.

I love having the Belcourt Theater in Nashville. Besides showing movies the Belcourt also has concerts. This year I saw the Hood to Coast movie and Conan O'brien's Can't Stop. I really need to see more documentaries. Do you have an independent movie theater in your city?

Show: The Raconteurs at the Ryman 9.15.11

On Thursday I went to The Raconteurs at the Ryman. I saw them there back in 2008. I wasn't as excited leading up to this show as I have been for other shows this summer. But when I found out Pokey Lafarge, and JEFF the Brotherhood were opening, it made me a little more excited. Both are bands I have wanted to see for a while.

Pokey Lafarge and the South City Three hail from St. Lous and brought their Americana, old-timey selves to the perfect venue. Krissie's Nate had even recommended him to me a while back and I missed him when he was in town last. My friends and I wonder how old he was as he seemed really in the wrong  century. Turns out, he's 27, younger than me. I wonder if he talks old-timey all the time?


Pokey Lafarge and the South City Three

Next was JEFF the Brotherhood. A local rock duo has gotten a lot of good press lately. Despite the good press, this was not my cup of tea. I am sure the people who love this band, can't stand some of the music I like, so it all works out. I asked one of my friends what they would be doing if he ever listened to JEFF the Brotherhood and he couldn't decided on anything. I didn't have an answer either.


JEFF the Brotherhood

It was clear that most of the crowd was here to see The Raconteurs. I have never seen a merch line as long as I did at this show. I am sure there was a limited edition poster and of course the hatch show print. The crowd was also pretty diverse. I love people watching at shows at the Ryman. There was even a lady who looked like my mom. She had, what I am pretty sure was the same old model Coach purse, when Coach didn't plaster their logo over everything, and the exact same jacket. The only difference was, I don't think my mom would ever go to a Raconteurs show. Also, the couple next to us was in their late 40's/early 50's and despite a shaky start they thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

Now here is the part where I could tell you how much I loved x song or y song, but the truth is I don't know most of the song names, but I do know that I loved the show.

They opened with Consoler of the Lonely, which I actually do know the name of.

This isn't the best video, but man what a great way to open the show.



Jack White is one strange and talented man, but man is he intriguing. I've only managed to see him once in this town, well besides a few spottings at his record store, Third Man Records, but I don't really think that counts.

Maybe I will watch Cold Mountain tonight?