Alright…So one might say that I’m a little behind when it comes to my blog. I don’t have any real excuses other than that I’ve been staying busy, taking lots of pics and having a good time. I’m going to try to get everyone caught back up with a picture laden multi post in chronological order.
Trio at Bend Studio:
On the way back from South by Southwest, jim bianco, tobias froberg, and jenny owen youngs all stopped by for a tripple show at Bend Studio. I enjoyed the show, and was particularly impressed by Jenny Owen Youngs. She had a great sound coupled with a edgy vibe wrapped up in a seemingly innocent package (“sneak attack” as she said after the show). Jim had a real raspy sound with light and fun beats, and Tobias was…well he was Tobias. I’m not sure how to describe him, but I enjoyed his music.
Jen’s shoot:
Unfortunately I only get to see my good friend Jen from high school (go wildcats!) once or twice a year when she comes to visit her grandmother. Fortunately last weekend she was in town and had a few hours to say hello and snap a few pics. Now, not only is she one of my favorite people, she is also one of the most beautiful people I know. I was elated when she said she wanted her pics taken. For a shoot that didn’t happen until well after midnight on a night she spent almost 3 hours on an airplane, I was more than happy with what we ended up with. Thanks to Jen for letting me shoot her!
Finally we had Blake’s bachelor party! The crazy cat somehow convinced the lovely Miss Keni to be his bride. We decided to have a non traditional party and went out on a 3 day camping trip way out in the stix. We ate well, drank well, and had a fantastic time. Viv survived without running watter for 3 days and nothing got too out of hand because we had officer Sean there to keep us in line.
I’m going for it!!!
I’m going to be one of the mildless millions who rush at the last sececond at a 1 in 170 million chance of winning over 350million bucks.
Wish me luck!
If I win…. the next post will be of me with two well endowed simi naked girls on each shoulder smoking a One Hundred dollar bill and drinking Champaign.
Update: here it is… think happy thoughts!
2nd update….
sigh… I know Keni and a few of her friends were excited about being some of the half naked girls in my 370 million dollar lotto winning post…. but ’twas not to be!!! Not only did I not win 375 million bucks…. I didn’t match one single number. 5 picks…. zero numbers.
Most people do constructive things when they can’t sleep. They clean, do laundry, take a few sleeping pills, maybe a swig of Nyquil, slam a few beers, pass the time on myspace or youtube….. Not for me. Nooooo way mister. I stay up late and write blog posts. Tonights topic: Cary Pierce, of JacoPierce playing a solo show at Bend.
The show I went to was the second sold out show featuring Cary at Bend in as many nights. The little listening room was more full than I have ever see it (significantly), and it was packed with dedicated fans. To illustrate what I mean by dedicated fans I’ll compare a common situation at live music shows: The artist simply asks “what would you guys like to hear”. At most shows you will have 3 or 4 people yell out their favorite song. The earlier into teh show they ask this question the fewer responses hey will get. This is because early=sober, and drunk=courage. Cary asked this question after his frist song, and there instantly were at least a dozen people calling out over two dozen different titles. These guys knew Cary’s work. Having the room this full with true fans, really set the stage for a cool vibe for the entirety of the performance.
To try to sum up the show with one word, I would have to choose a noun, and go with – energy. Carry is a jumping, spinning, stopping, twirling, pacing, grinning, strumming, belt it out from the bottom of your guts performer. There was more energy in this show, than any show that I can remember since the first time I watched a bunch of 60 year old men run all over the stage in the rain for 2 hours at the Cotton Bowl (Rolling Stones, Voodoo Lounge). There was also more crowd participation and singing along than any show I’ve seen.
One again, I’d recommend Cary’s show. People ask me if I recommend every show I see. Usually, if I don’t like the music or the show, I don’t write reviews. So don’t take all the recommendations as me being a softie. I’m as tough as nails I tell ya! GRRRRR. Rambling…once again. The show was fantastic. Cary was skilled with his guitar, but he is a singer. His voice has fantastic range and power. He is also a showman. His interaction with the crowd was a sign of a seasoned vet. on stage, and his use of guest singers for a few songs really added to the experience.
Cary’s Myspace
Bend Studio:
One of my favorite little south downtown Dallas spots has changed! That’s right, the rumors are correct; Standard and Pours coffee shop is no more. STOP THE PRESSES!!! Man that’s fun to say . The South Side Lamar coffee shop (with beer!) has recently changed its name (same owner, the lovely Pascale) to Opening Bell. Last week was my first chance to get down to the old Sears building and check out Opening Bell with a camera, Guiness and a smile. The bill for the night: Emily Elbert followed by Kristy Kruger.
I first saw Emily several months ago at S&P. Pascal told me that I had to come and see this 17 year old wonder girl play and sing. Pascal’s characterization of Emily was accurate. This girl blew me away with the maturity and tone of her voice as she played alone with her guitar, barefoot on a small stool. Her jazzy sound simply shouldn’t be possible from someone so young. I have to admit it’s dangerous to go to a show with high expectations when you have already been been impressed by your first experience. When your baseline experience is really high, even a good show can be disappointing. I knew this when I showed up to hear Emily play, and I’m not exaggerating when I say the show she played was significantly better than the first time I watched her play and was blow away. Emily seemed to now be completely comfortable on the stage. Her voice and sound were even more refined and mature then they were before. I guess that makes sense, she has reached the ripe old age of 18 now . She had new twists on older songs and put together some fun and light hearted medleys of songs like Pascal’s favorite request of everyone who plays her venue : Crazy by G. Barkley. Her show was really something nice, and I’m confident that if you heavn’et heard her yet, you probably will in the future.
Next came Kristy Kruger. I’ve heard about Kristy for a long time and listened to a lot of her music online. That might be the best way for you to get an idea of her style because it is difficult for me to characterize. Take one part folk, one part country, one part early classic recording (say 1930’s-40’s?), combine and blend until smooth. Her recordings online even have an electronic flare on a few of the files. What you can’t hear by listening to her music on Myspace or her web page, is her personality. Wow!!! This girls is a firecracker with a wit and sense of humor that is a strong electric attraction with the audiance. Her music was fantastic; so different and yet oddly familiar, but her comments and discussion betweens songs created a show of their own. My understanding is that Kristy is planning on doing a show in every state in the country (more on that in just a sec.) , so the good news is there is a good chance that she will be playing near you sometime soon. Go check her out, you won’t be disappointed! The music is fun, well executed and very refined.
The tour of the US for her brother Lt. Col. Eric Kruger, who died in Iraq. During the show she said that her brother died for the country that he loved, and she wanted to do the tour as a memorial for him and to give her the opportunity to see all of what he loved. I think that’s a pretty cool idea, and something I’m sure she will never forget. I doubt Kristy will ever read this, but if you do: Average Joe American’s like me will always be in debt to people like your brother, and families like yours who risk and sacrifice everything to protect this great nation of ours. I’m not sure if a thank you is the right or appropriate phrase for this situation, but thank you.
Openning Bell
Emily Elbert
Kristy Kruger