Cloaca Melodia

The Cabaret at Theater Square, Pittsburgh, PA It was about a year ago that Son Volt had announced the recording of a new album after a six year hiatus. And not only were they heading back into a studio, but they were inviting their fans in with them by providing a webcam link. Anyone would be able to be a fly on the wall of the sessions--at least visually. post continues.... But on the first announced day of recording, the webcam wasn't functional. Website visitors were instead given a "due to circumstances beyond our control" type of message. I assumed a technical glitch, but it turned out to be a Human Resourses problem. In subsequent interviews, bandleader Jay Farrar repeatedly stated as mantra, "It was a hugely devastating situation for me," and press reports said things like "Farrar and the other musicians hit a contractual wall." Years ago I had interviewed both of the Boquist brothers of Son Volt's original lineup, bassist Jim and multi-inst...

Mellon Arena, Pittsburgh with Damien Marley I didn't plan it this way. But I only see U2 once a decade. First in 1985, in Hartford, CT, on the Unforgettable Fire tour. Then, the indoor " Zoo TV " tour in 1992. And now again, 13 years later. post continues.... The stage set-up included a circular walkway which extended out into the crowd, allowing for the General Admission ticketholders who got in line early to be within the elliptical walkway. I was standing about 25 feet on the outside of the walkway (nearest to where The Edge's microphone was placed for "Stuck in a Moment You Can't Get Out Of"), so it was a terrific view when bandmembers strolled out into the crowd. Above the stage, the video monitors were broken up into four sections. For most of the show, each section featured isolated shots of each bandmember, which was a pretty good idea (although it was perhaps more attention than Larry and Adam were used to, as the Adam-cam caught him picking hi...

Club Cafe, Pittsburgh, PA sorry, I haven't yet written about this show... add your own comments if you were also there!

Club Cafe, Pittsburgh, PA sorry, I haven't yet written about this show... add your own comments if you were also there!

Mr. Smalls, Millvale, PA sorry, I haven't yet written about this show... add your own comments if you were also there!

Dowe's on 9th, Pittsburgh, PA Richard Thompson played a number of new (or, at least, previously unreleased), rather droll songs, including " The Hots for the Smarts " (a title which has internal rhyme if you're British): post continues.... "I need a girl with a feel for Faraday's wheel A girl who'll drool for Fleming's Left Hand Rule Now you may like pin-ups of girls who do chin-ups Like Xena the Warrior Princess but I'll take to dinner My Nobel Prize winner with plutonium stains down her dress" Another one along these lines is " Alexander Graham Bell ": "Television was a thing That he had all prepared But he left that to his pupil John Logie Baird Of course there was the telephone He’d be famous for that alone But there’s 50 other things as well From Alexander Graham Bell" You've gotta love a song that disses Edison and Tesla: "Edison, he was a thief And Tesla nuts beyond belief"

Mr. Smalls, Millvale, PA It was the 4th or 5th time I've seen Jonathan, but it was the first time since 1986 that he wasn't performing solo. Drummer Tommy Larkins ably assisted Jonathan, and it was a nice addition to the show. Jonathan likes to dance around during his set, but when he's the only musician, such hijinx kind of brings the music to a screeching halt. A drummer at least keeps the beat going throughout, allowing Jonathan to dance or play sleigh bells or cowbell without losing any forward momentum for the show. post continues.... Highlights include "Vincent Van Gogh," "Egyptian Reggae," "Let Her Go Into the Darkness," "Springtime in New York," "He Gave Us the Wine to Taste." The very incompatible Vic Chesnutt opened the show. Vic's music is so dark and moody, and Jonathan is so childlike and happy, that the pairing couldn't help but be a train wreck. I was late in arriving, so I missed the beginning of Vic...

Benedum Center, Pittsburgh, PA sorry, I haven't yet written about this show... add your own comments if you were also there!