Alejandro Escovedo -June 22, 2006 Irving Plaza, New York

Like it wasn't enough that Marah played that night, I also got Alejandro Escovedo, who I think is absolutley amazing. If you don't know his story, he has a long rich musical history which nearly came to an end in 2003 when liver damage caused by Hepatitis C nearly killed him.

Now with restored health, and a new album, The Boxing Mirror, he's looking great and reflecting on his new lease on life. Thursday's show was my second this year, and although it was great, I really liked the messy crowded feel of the Austin show more. At that show, he talked a lot. I felt like I was witnessing something like a revival show. The stage was absolutely packed with people and I was almost poked with the cellist bow several times. I thought someone was falling into the crowd for sure.

This show opened with my favourite song, Put You Down which you should download right now if you've never heard it. (Get the version from Disc 2 of "With These Hands") It sounds like a love song, but it's a love song to booze (I think). Lyrics are here, if you want to decide for yourself. Anyway, it was almost halfway through the show before he said a single word and although he was still the same amazing man, funny, and thoughtful, it felt like he was a bit tired of telling the stories. Of course, the music is where it matters, and although you can't tell from these photos, he had his full band of 8 with the two cellists, and the violinist, something you don't get from the usual rock show.

And of course he totally rocked this Steel Gray satin suit with the blue lace shirt.
To check out his story, See this great PopMatters interview and to hear more of his music, check out his MySpace site.

Marah - June 22, 2006 at Irving Plaza in New York City

Marah and Alejandro Escovedo. I've mentioned them both as being favourites of mine on this very blog, and both are highly underrated. I mean, critically, they are everyone's favourites, but they should be selling tons of records. They should be taking over the world right now.

I was totally blown away to find out they were playing a double bill in New York while I was there. (I am so lucky)
Dave Bielanko

Marah has always blown everyone away with their live performances, and this one was probably my favourite of the three I've seen.

After a touching moment where Serge acknowledged the happiest recent event of their lives, the birth of Shiloh Pitt-Jolie, he brought the show into the crowd.
Serge Bielanko

Check them out MySpace or at www.marah-usa.com

Rhett Miller - June 17, 2006 at the Central Park Summer Stage in NYC

So it was my birthday, and I couldn't have been happier to hear that Rhett Miller, of one of my favourite bands, the Old 97's, was playing a free concert in Central Park.

It had already been a long, hot day in New York when we made our way to the theatre. I have to admit we both slept pretty much through the two opening acts.

I've pretty much loved the Old 97's since the first time I heard Murder (Or A Heart Attack) in some bar one summer. I remember trying to remember the lyrics so I could google them when I got home, and new musical obsession was born.

I didn't even know that Rhett Miller was a hottie until some time later. Anyway, he's embarked on a solo career, and of course, I missed him during SXSW. (Side note, SXSW is crazy, but even crazier is how easy it's been to catch up on what I missed!)

Anyway, the Central Park gig, was great. He played a lot of songs from the new album of course, but one of the funniest moments was when he went on record to announce that he would no longer play Question to help some guy propose. "It's too stressful. One day she's going to say no!"

The Boy Least Likely To - May 30, 2006 at The Plaza in Vancouver

This was the first show of the North American Tour for The Boy Least Likely To. You can read about how they spent that first day on their web blog found here.
Jof Owen

The opening set was by the surprizingly fun Toronto band, The Bicycles, The Boy Least Likely To took to the stage with their song, Hugging My Grudge.

Now I have to admit when I first heard the song I didn't read the song title. For quite a long time, I misunderstood the lyrics. The line is "I don't think I'll ever be happy unless I'm unhappy and hugging my grudge." I'm afraid I thought he'd only be unhappy hugging his crotch.

The lyrics are usually pretty sad but the music is so lively and childish that it's hard not have a good time at their show. Both Jof Owen and Pete Hobbs were really funny, riffing one liners at each other and telling stories and asking for questions from the crowd.

When a crowd member asked if they were married they joked "To each other?" When told they could legally marry in Canada Jof did funny double take and said "No really, we're just friends"
Pete Hobbs

About mid show they played a cover of George Michaels, Faith. ("We have to play a cover! Our albums only 37 minutes!")

Apparently they hate the "encore" as much as I do. I've mentioned before how dumb I think it is to have the band huddle around the corner while people are supposed to yell. Anyway, Jof apparently thinks that's dumb too because where the end of the show should have been he said "If we left the stage right now, you'd all holler and have us back wouldn't you?"

One song in the "encore" was only 10 seconds long. They closed the show with the song everyone was there to hear, Be Gentle With Me. It also summoned the use of the bubble machine which is always fun and I think a good way to end a show.


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