Ensiferum's gig was the bloody best ever. XD Sooo much epicness from three guys in leather kilts, and my current favorite song from Unsung Heroes sounded quite dramatic even in a small-scale live performance. www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bUQYLsdx8M Too bad Vesa-Matti Loiri (the vocalist) did not attend, but on the other hand, we're not dealing with huge names akin to Rhapsody of Fire and Christopher Lee.
At one point the guys from Brymir (one of the warming-up bands; they did a great job as well) pranced on the stage wearing only towels, one lacking even that and a rubber horse mask pulled over his face. Understand it or not, this is Finnish humor. As well as the old Western music interlude the band started playing at one point (main genre Viking metal...).
T-SO presale tickets for their winter tour went on sale last Wednesday. SD, Dam-sel, and I will be going the Saturday after Thanksgiving to the matinee performance. A shame we won't be on the floor, but that was at Dam-sel's request, and other than the snow (if it should be done this tour), we should see (and possibly feel) all the rest of the light show from where we are sitting pretty well.
I do not know how to find out if we'll see the East or West touring group. From shows I've been to before, I prefer TSO East, but TSO West puts on just as awesome a show. I just feel Chris Caffery is better eye candy than Al Pitrelli.
A few days later we'll see SNC's holiday tour. Much more intimate show in a more intimate venue. If I recall correctly, we're in the center of row six on the floor for that one.
Yep, yep, yep...taking Dam-sel and Menolly to TSO and SNC (and getting sixth row seats at each show) just so the two of them can ogle the 'eye candy' musicians.
It's all good. Judging from the looks the two of them got when I took them to Idina Menzel in June, they make quite an impression when gussied up to go out in public. I suspect that for these holiday shows they will be even more turned out.
Love prevails.
~ Tracie Mckinney-Hammon
Change is not a process for the impatient.
~ Barbara Reinhold
A government which robs Peter to pay Paul, can always count on the support of Paul.
~ George Bernard Shaw
I didn't bring my maroon velvet ensemble with the gold and jade brooch I usually wear for holiday outings. It would have gone wonderfully with my new ren-fest headpiece too. And it appears hyperception probably won't be sending it out this way in time (if ever). Not exactly sure how I'll want to dress for TSO...
However, my intent for SNC is to be far more casual than when I saw them in Gator Town, since I now have an autographed tee from the meet and greet after the show. Most likely the tee and jeans, for me.
As far as ogling the misicians...
As I've explained to SD, TSO has two touring groups for their holiday shows. I've seen both East and West, as Florida seems to alternate which group plays there. I prefer East; but for the eye candy of Chris Caffery, rather than Al Pitrelli of West. And East was who I saw the first time I saw them live, in Madison Square Garden. So, a touch of nostalgia influences me as well.
I just read that TSO does not do their traditional meet and greets after matinees that they do after evening shows. I have yet to get an autographed tee for them. One day...
Both put on an amazing show, though. I suspect we'll see West in Seattle.
Saw the Moody Blues at what may be thrid to last stop of their last tour two Fridays ago, guys are OLD but incredible! Unbelievable show...we were blessed to have seen this even if it was in a casino miles and miles out in the desert... Justin was funny, he said, "Great to be back in town after so long, even if the town is over there *points south in wrong direction* or over there *points twice as far towards Santa Fe*."
I think the time is approaching, if not here already, where using a range of technologies (CGI, Holography, 3D, film etc) it should be possible, using recorded footage to once again see Jimi Hendrix live on tour. I have a vision of a world tour stadium show, just in the manner of a live band culminating with the Man topping the bill at say Glasonbury or some other big international festival. Could we do this? We could do this! (Someone please forward to Bill Gates or one of the other World Movers)
Your politicians screwed you over and you are suprised by this?
....and the glory of the world becomes less than it was....
'Have we not served you well'
'Of course - you know you have.'
'Then let it end.'
on Sunday night we saw the Houston Symphony Orchestra. special guest stars were Pink Martini.
About Pink Martini
In 1994, in his hometown of Portland, Oregon, Thomas Lauderdale was working in politics, thinking that one day he would run for mayor. Like other eager politicians-in-training, he went to every political fund raiser…but was dismayed to find the music at these events under whelming, lackluster, loud and un-neighborly. Drawing inspiration from music from all over the world, crossing genres of classical, jazz and old-fashioned pops, and hoping to appeal to conservatives and liberals alike, he founded the “little orchestra” Pink Martini. He wanted to pro vide more beautiful and inclusive musical soundtracks for political fundraisers for causes such as civil rights, affordable housing, the environment, libraries, public broadcasting, education and parks.
One year later, Lauderdale called China Forbes, a Harvard classmate, and asked her to join Pink Martini. They began to write songs together. Their first song “Sympathique” became an overnight sensation in France, was nominated for Song of the Year at France’s Victoires de la Musique Awards, and to this day remains a mantra (“Je ne veux pas travailler” or “I don’t want to work”) for striking French workers.
“We’re very much an American band, but we spend a lot of time abroad and therefore have the incredible diplomatic opportunity to rep resent a broader, more inclusive America. . .the America which remains the most heterogeneously populated country in the world…composed of people of every country, every language, every religion,” said Lauderdale.
Featuring 10-12 musicians, Pink Martini performs its multilingual repertoire on concert stages and with symphony orchestras around the world. Its debut album Sympathique was released in 1997 on the band’s own label Heinz Records (named after Lauderdale’s dog), and quickly became an international phenomenon, garnering the group nominations for Song of the Year and Best New Artist in France’s Victoires de la Musique Awards in 2000. Several recordings have followed: Hang on Little Tomato, Hey Eugene!, Splendor In The Grass, Joy To The World, A Retrospective (a collection of the band’s most beloved songs spanning 18 years) and 1969 (an album of collaborations with legendary Japanese singer Saori Yuki).
well China Forbes has had vocal surgery, so we were treated to Storm Large singing with the group. we watched Storm a few years back on Rock Star Supernova, a music reality show. we had previously seen Patrice Pike, another contestant live.
also guesting with Pink Martini...
About The Von Trapps
There is probably not another last name known around the world that is as universally beloved as Von Trapp. The story of the family who escaped Austria, moved to the United States and toured the world singing for two decades continues to inspire people of all ages since the film “The Sound of Music” was released in 1964.
Although the Trapp Family Singers performed their farewell concert in 1957, forty years later, the great-grandchildren of the Captain and Maria von Trapp -- sisters Sofia, Melanie, Amanda and brother Justin von Trapp -- began to sing together in an effort to comfort their ailing grandfather who was portrayed as Kurt, the youngest boy of the seven von Trapp children. Since then, now known as the Von Trapps, they have performed around the world -- including Europe, Africa, Australia, New Zealand, China, Japan, Korean and The Philippines -- to packed houses. The Von Trapps have toured North America extensively and have appeared with numerous symphony orchestras, including the Boston Pops, as well as the orchestras of Atlanta, Detroit, Cincinnati, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Toronto. They have appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show, The Today Show (NBC), The View (ABC), Fox and Friends (Fox News), Good Morning America (ABC), The Grand Ole Opry (GAC), CCTV and numerous television shows abroad. They have released six albums, and are currently working on a new album with Pink Martini.
About the Houston Symphony
During the 2013-14 Season, the Houston Symphony will be in its 100th year as one of America’s leading orchestras with a full complement of concert, community, education, touring and recording activities. The Houston Symphony is one of the oldest performing arts organizations in Texas whose inaugural performance was held at The Majestic Theater in downtown Houston on June 21, 1913. Today, with an annual operating budget of $28.7 million, the full-time ensemble of 87 professional musicians is the largest performing arts organization in Houston, presenting more than 280 concerts for 280,000 people, including 84,000 children, annually
the Houston played the first part of the show. they were great. but Pink Martini stole the show with the second half. Storm is a commanding presence. the group was backed by the Houston Symphony and the full effect was incredible. guest star Ari Shapiro (of NPR) was excellent. a wonderful show.
It was an amazing concert! We are hoping to attend more Houston Symphony events in the near future.
When we saw Patrice Pike at the Mucky Duck in Houston she commented that she focused her entire performance on Sarge because he was so focused on her. (He always zones out everything but the music at any concert.) He also sang along with a song she did called Joey. Patrice said he enjoyed the show more than anyone else she had ever seen.
Alan Parsons - Live Project with Jon Anderson of YES.
Getting my tickets this week!
Have you hugged your arghule today?
________________________________________
"For millions of years
mankind lived just like the animals.
Then something happened
that unleashed the power of our imagination -
we learned to talk."
________________________________________
If PRO and CON are opposites,
then the opposite of PROgress must be...
_______________________________________
I saw NIN in Boston at TD Garden last month. Meh. The light kit was ridiculous, so there was a lot to look at, but sometimes nostalgia should stay in the past. Alas, my inner goth was overshadowed by a bunch of dunk hipsters yelling, "WHOOOOOO!" during every song. Like, just enjoy the music, man.
Godspeed You! Black Emperor opened for NIN, and they were by far the best part of the show. Even though said drunk hipsters talked over their set the ENTIRE TIME !!!!
The sound engineer was spot on, though, and I think I geeked out over that more than anything.
"Everything was beautiful, and nothing hurt." - Kurt Vonnegut
Alan Parsons with Jon Anderson... FANTASTIC!
A lot of familiar songs and a few newer songs I never heard before. (Perhaps an upcoming AAP album)
The light show was very good and the last few songs were YES songs. A GREAT show!
Oh yeah, center seats about 40 feet away helped too!
Have you hugged your arghule today?
________________________________________
"For millions of years
mankind lived just like the animals.
Then something happened
that unleashed the power of our imagination -
we learned to talk."
________________________________________
If PRO and CON are opposites,
then the opposite of PROgress must be...
_______________________________________
Since the last kid is away at college, the wife and I are free to go to shows whenever we want. Makes the kid jealous. I love it.
Went to the Warren Haynes Xmas Jam in Asheville in December. 2 night show that went from 7 pm to 4:15 am the first night and 7 pm to 3:45 am the second night. We lasted until 3:15 am each night and had enough. This was or 4th year. Plan to make it as many years as we can.
Went to the Greg Allman and Friends tribute show in Atlanta in January. Once in a lifetime, at the Fox Theater. Great venue. Great acts.
Saw Gov't Mule a couple of weeks ago. I'm a big Mule follower- seen them dozens of times.
Missed out on tickets to the Allman Brothers Band Beacon Theater run in March. Just couldn't swing the trip this year. We've gone quite a few years.
Have tickets to see Joe Bonamassa ast the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville in April. Can't wait.
Looked at the website...not coming near me...at least not scheduled so far...
I liked a lot when I was young...I could sing all the way through every album up to "Turn of a Friendly Card"
[[though, to be honest, at that point in my life I could sing all the way through every album by every band I even liked a little...I mean, for god's very embarassing sake I can probably STILL get through most of the songs on "You can tune a piano, but you can't tuna fish," and "Hi Infidelity." What person without some serious issues can sing all the way through not one, but TWO REO Speedwagon albums?
Liked Anderson, too...work with Yes more than his other stuff, I have to say.
Man...I gotta get to some shows this summer.
I might not even care WHO it is...just SOMEONE.
[spoiler]Sig-man, Libtard, Stupid piece of shit. change your text color to brown. Mr. Reliable, bullshit-slinging liarFucker-user.[/spoiler] the difference between evidence and sources: whether they come from the horse's mouth or a horse's ass. "Most people are other people. Their thoughts are someone else's opinions, their lives a mimicry, their passions a quotation." the hyperbole is a beauty...for we are then allowed to say a little more than the truth...and language is more efficient when it goes beyond reality than when it stops short of it.
As well as the old Western music interlude the band started playing at one point (main genre Viking metal...).
