Music Doth Sooth the Savage Breast
Having not posted for a while, it feels like it is time. So why not tell everyone about our summer music adventures, thus far?
For the last 30 years, I have attended concerts at Stern Grove, here in San Francisco. When I was a kid, the Sunday concerts were usually the SF Symphony, or the SF Opera or a production of a Gilbert and Sullivan operetta. Over time, the Grove has become much more hip and now features a lot of jazz and world beat musicians (all for free!). This season has been great and thus far we have seen 4 shows. Quite a feat as we have to be there by 10 am to get space for the 2 o'clock show!
June 19th- Lucinda Williams and John Doe- This was a great show if for no other reason than the last time I saw John Doe he was still with "X" and was kicking the crud out of an over zealous fan that had climbed on stage. He has a great rockabilly band that on the surface is a great departure from "X", but isn't too far off if you really listen. This was the first time I have seen the traditionally older crowd that attends these shows realize the whole thing is changing. It was the first time they got a lot of swearing and anti-Bush rhetoric with their show.
Lucinda Williams was alright, but I would rather hear her in a road house.
July 10th- Cheb Kaled. This man is called "The King of Rai". It was a fun show. Lot's of Morrocans and Algerians in the audience (wonder if there were a lot of CIA, as well). There was also a dispropotionate number of white people with dreadlocks. There was a lot of energy coming from this guy and the audience was eating it up. Lot's of belly dancing. Once again, shock from the elders. The highlight of the show was the sudden appearance of Carlos Santana on the stage (although he shows up just about every where).
July 17th- Ladysmith Black Mombazo and Linda Tillery and the Cultural Heriatge Choir. What an amazing group. These guys have been together forever and they just keep getting better. We had a great spot on a rock that allowed us to sit above the crowd and take it all in. The harmonies that come out of this band are better than almost anything in music, today. Sitting on the rock and letting it all just hit me was a truly other worldly experience.
September 7th- Green Day!!!! Wow. I haven't been to anything that loud since the Ramones in 1984. This show came complete with swearing, on stage simulated masturbation, Mr. Rogers-like King Friday puppet, Bush-bashing, Journey covers, tattoos, pot smoke... It was like being 16 again- except that I can't scream like I used to and there is no way I am going stage diving or slamming. It was so loud, my earplugs weren't enough. Man, it was goooood!
For the last 30 years, I have attended concerts at Stern Grove, here in San Francisco. When I was a kid, the Sunday concerts were usually the SF Symphony, or the SF Opera or a production of a Gilbert and Sullivan operetta. Over time, the Grove has become much more hip and now features a lot of jazz and world beat musicians (all for free!). This season has been great and thus far we have seen 4 shows. Quite a feat as we have to be there by 10 am to get space for the 2 o'clock show!
June 19th- Lucinda Williams and John Doe- This was a great show if for no other reason than the last time I saw John Doe he was still with "X" and was kicking the crud out of an over zealous fan that had climbed on stage. He has a great rockabilly band that on the surface is a great departure from "X", but isn't too far off if you really listen. This was the first time I have seen the traditionally older crowd that attends these shows realize the whole thing is changing. It was the first time they got a lot of swearing and anti-Bush rhetoric with their show.
Lucinda Williams was alright, but I would rather hear her in a road house.
July 10th- Cheb Kaled. This man is called "The King of Rai". It was a fun show. Lot's of Morrocans and Algerians in the audience (wonder if there were a lot of CIA, as well). There was also a dispropotionate number of white people with dreadlocks. There was a lot of energy coming from this guy and the audience was eating it up. Lot's of belly dancing. Once again, shock from the elders. The highlight of the show was the sudden appearance of Carlos Santana on the stage (although he shows up just about every where).
July 17th- Ladysmith Black Mombazo and Linda Tillery and the Cultural Heriatge Choir. What an amazing group. These guys have been together forever and they just keep getting better. We had a great spot on a rock that allowed us to sit above the crowd and take it all in. The harmonies that come out of this band are better than almost anything in music, today. Sitting on the rock and letting it all just hit me was a truly other worldly experience.
September 7th- Green Day!!!! Wow. I haven't been to anything that loud since the Ramones in 1984. This show came complete with swearing, on stage simulated masturbation, Mr. Rogers-like King Friday puppet, Bush-bashing, Journey covers, tattoos, pot smoke... It was like being 16 again- except that I can't scream like I used to and there is no way I am going stage diving or slamming. It was so loud, my earplugs weren't enough. Man, it was goooood!
posted by Adrienne at 9:30 PM
0 comments
