I know I go to more concerts than the average person. But October was nuts even for me. Let me count the ways…<\/p>\n
October 1 – The Felice Brothers at the Roxy<\/strong> October 5 – Conor Oberst & John Prine at the Greek Theatre<\/strong> October 7 – Conor Oberst at the Grammy Museum October 9 – Damien Rice at Immanuel Presbyterian Church October 10 – Bahamas at the Roxy October 11 (morning) – The Record Company at\u00c2\u00a0the Taste of South Lake Festival October 11 (evening) – Ray LaMontagne at the Greek Theatre October 16 – Jenny Lewis at the Broad Stage October 18 – Mike Doughty at the Mint
\nThe Felices are my wife’s favorite band, and have come to hold a special place in my heart too. \u00c2\u00a0Their show was a rollicking good time as always. Plus the opening act was Spirit Family Reunion who may have my favorite song title of the year: “To Fill My Heart With Love Until It Almost Breaks My Heart.” \u00c2\u00a0Highlights: “Marie” (my favorite Felice Brothers Song), “Silver in the Shadow,” “White Limo,” “Lincoln Continental.”<\/p>\n
\nMore spousal influence: my wife has dug\u00c2\u00a0Conor since I dragged her to see Monsters of Folk at this same venue 5 years ago. (And she discovered the Felice Brothers when they opened for Conor at Pappy & Harriets.) \u00c2\u00a0His set here was pretty good, but John Prine really stole the show. \u00c2\u00a0Somehow I’d never heard of\u00c2\u00a0John Prine before, but when I checked out his back catalog in preparation for this show I was blown away. \u00c2\u00a0(Incidentally I had heard some of his songs before, most famously Evan Dando’s cover of “Sam Stone” from the Griffith Sunset<\/em> EP.)<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>Seeing the same artist multiple times on the same tour isn’t a common occurrence, but it isn’t unheard of either. \u00c2\u00a0Shows at the Grammy Museum have a neat talk show style format with a short interview followed by a short set of music. \u00c2\u00a0They also keep video of every on site event in their archives<\/a> that anyone can view when visiting the museum. \u00c2\u00a0Highlight of the live set was closing it out with a cover of John Prine’s “Pretty Good” — my favorite John Prine song that wasn’t played by Prine at the Greek show.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>Between the Masonic Lodge at Hollywood Forever Cemetery and this venue, the “concert in a church” thing is starting to really take off in LA. \u00c2\u00a0This was the first time I’ve had an opportunity to see Damien Rice since discovering him. \u00c2\u00a0Venue suited him perfectly and he nailed it.\u00c2\u00a0 He didn’t play my two favorite songs (“Rat Within the Grain” and “Coconut Skins”) — but still blew me away. \u00c2\u00a0Highlights: “Rootless Tree” (on piano!), “Cheers Darlin” (complete with wine bistro skit lead-in), “Volcano” (with full on audience participation).<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>Bahamas made my favorite albums list in 2011<\/a> & 2012<\/a> and are likely to do so\u00c2\u00a0again this year. \u00c2\u00a0I’ve seen him play twice before — both times as an opening act, and both times left me wanting more. \u00c2\u00a0This was the first time I got to see a full set. \u00c2\u00a0It was good, but the setlist left me wanting more. \u00c2\u00a0(No “Little Record Girl” or “You’re Bored, I’m Old.”) \u00c2\u00a0Sometimes I feel guilty for criticizing setlist selections since I agree it should be fully in the artist’s control. \u00c2\u00a0But I really was expecting more here. \u00c2\u00a0(Sorry, Afie!)<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>A rare day\/night doubleheader featuring the best band you’ve never heard. \u00c2\u00a0Scrambled to get here on time after brunch for an 11am start time. \u00c2\u00a0Missed a couple of songs, but caught most of the set. \u00c2\u00a0These guys continue to blow me away every time I see them. \u00c2\u00a0They’re about to go on a national tour opening for Brian Setzer — check ’em out<\/a> if you can.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>At one point Ray said he felt bad that people think his old songs are better. \u00c2\u00a0I love Supernova<\/em> — so much it might have been my favorite record of the year so far if not for the forthcoming trio of Benji Hughes albums — but the old Ray songs really are better. \u00c2\u00a0“Burn” \/ “Trouble” \/ “Jolene” \/ “Shelter” stole the show.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>This was part of Q Live<\/em> — a Canadian talk show I’d never heard of when we bought the tickets to see Jenny but has become somewhat infamous since then due to the Jian Ghomeshi scandal. Jenny was great; I just wish she played more than 2 songs. I thought Q<\/em> was a cool show and Jian was a great interviewer at the time, but now I’m second guessing myself and remembering creepiness in hindsight. #IBelieveThem<\/a><\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>A Mike & Scrap question jar show is always a must see event. \u00c2\u00a0I’m pretty sure I’ve seen every Doughty show in LA since 1999 (at least in part — I got lost and only caught the last 3 songs at McCabes in 1999, and didn’t go to the matinee of his 2 separate admission sets at the Hotel Cafe a few years back). \u00c2\u00a0I figured Soul Coughing was going to be reintroduced to the solo repertoire, but was actually a little surprised at how many songs made the cut. \u00c2\u00a0“Janine” and “True Dreams of Wichita” would have been fine by me. \u00c2\u00a0He didn’t play “True Dreams,” did play “Janine” plus the two hits. \u00c2\u00a0“Lazybones” was a nice\u00c2\u00a0bonus\u00c2\u00a0surprise. \u00c2\u00a0When it’s Doughty playing acoustic guitar with Scrap just about everything is a highlight, but if forced to single some out I’d go with “Janine,” “Looks,” “Put It Down \/ Pleasure on Credit,” “Ossining,” and\u00c2\u00a0“Train to Chicago” — plus his stopping to yell at chatty folks in the crowd!<\/p>\n