Carrboro Music Fest Kickoff

Very fine performances last night at the Carboro Music Festival Kickoff show at the Cat's Cradle with Great Big Gone, Two Dollar Pistols and Tres Chicas.

The Two Dollar Pistols did lots of new music from "Here Tomorrow Gone Today" their very fine new CD. Tres Chicas found time in their already full set for new songs written this summer at a retreat in the mountains. If these new songs are any indication the new CD will be one to look for.

Elvis Costello and the NC Symphony

So Elvis (the real Napoleon Dynamite) Costello held forth at Regency park last night for a nearly sold out house on a cool September evening. The programme began with an excerpt from Il Songo, his adaptation of Shakespeare's Midsummer Night's Dream. He reminded us in his world Puck sounded like a saxaphone. This literal warm-up led into a fine rendition of "All This Useless Beauty." Elvis' voice, sounding brittle but warm on this first song, was famously full by the end of the evening. The first half of the program was relatively short (four songs plus the orchestra piece) and was closed out by the beautiful "The Birds will Still Be Singing" from The Juliet Letters. A note about the arrangements here: the songs that were arranged by those who compose for orchestra were more successful than some of Elvis' attempts. That is not to say that Elvis didn't have his compositional moments, especially in the second half of the show.

Attractions pianist Steve Nieve joined the proceedings for the second half and it really started to feel like an Elvis Costello show. Steve cajoled the orchestra with his brilliant playing and the whole affair went up a notch. Highlights from the second half included two songs from Painted from Memory. "God Give Me Strength" and "I Still have that Other Girl in My Head" were very close approximations of their recorded originals but sung in a more relaxed, focused way than the CD versions.
Speaking of focused, "Shipbuilding" was extremely so. It's amazing how beautiful that song is in performance no matter how much you may have enjoyed it as the closer of Punch the Clock. "Accidents Will Happen" and "Green Shirt" from Armed Forces were deftly arranged for orchestra as to not completely take all the edge off them.
The perennial show closer "Alison" was again nearly the last musical statement of the evening. Neatly rearranged chords showcased the versatility of this melody in the first verse but reverted to its familliar audience-sing-along form from the first chorus on.

A quick note about Elvis' stage persona: ever the genial host, he was also deadpanning facial expressions and gestures based on what the orchestra was playing or going to play and it was very entertaining. Combine this with patter about The Dixie Chicks, NASCAR and the birth of his twin sons and you get the feeling he was quite ready to chat a bit. I believe this is a strong format for him as he likes to talk and genuinely connect with quieter crowds.

Jeffrey Dean Foster and Don Dixon at the 506

Last night saw long time Chapel Hill denizen Don Dixon return to town to perform at the local 506. He brought along with him Winston Salem's own Jeffrey Dean Foster. Jeff opened the show with songs from his early days from the Pinetops up to the "Million Star Hotel" solo material. Particularly effective were "I'm so lonesome I could Fly" from the "Above Ground and Vertical" record and "Lily of the Highway" from "Million Star Hotel." A haunting version of the "Summer of the Son of Sam" was a highlight as well.

Don Dixon was up next with the announcement that yesterday was Otis Reddings birthday. In that spirit he proceeded to do one song from every album he ever made and talked alot about the circumstances surrounding the creation of the music and the cover art for the CDs. So he began with the CD "Most of the Girls LTD" and of course did "Praying Mantis" and went chronologically all the way to "The Entire Combustible World In One Small Room."


Dixon had an houglass that denoted the time that was his before any requests would be taken from the audience. Notable in his set were
"(If I Could) Walk Away" from the album "#38" and "I Can Hear the River" from "EEE"

Paperhand Puppet Intervention Strikes

Paperhand presented "A Shoe for Your Foot" at the Forest Theater August 10 - September 3rd. I was lucky enough to see it tonight and was taken by the programs originality, creativity and thematic consistency. The program begins with a lifeboat metaphor for the earth and a small boat that comes to encompass an entire bustling city. The ancient and wise creatures of the sea witness the coming and going of the boat city as another of many events that are recalled from the centures past. The lowly shoe for the lowly foot keeps the show rolling with a humorous vignette entitle "The Life of a Shoe". Paperhand ties so many themes together in every presentation. Those of our duty to the planet, to ourselves, and to each other. The music and musicians for this show were terrific. The songs memorable and appropriate and the pit orchestra versatile enough to do sound effects and voice overs as well.
Also notable were the "boxheads." The stilt dancers and shadow puppet segment at the end are not to be missed.

Pelican House

This is the second summer I have gone to Pelican House at the Trinity Center in Salter Path, NC. Pelican House is a secluded house by the sea, away from the noise and distraction of everyday life. Most retreats here at Pelican House are silent. Yes, no talking. Yes again, me not talking. I hear your incredulity at this thought but for two summers for the length of a week I have not uttered a word. Being quiet and shutting down the "monkey mind" of daily chatter is essential for getting in touch with your inner peace and wisdom. Oh, and it never hurts that the food is fabulous...

Wembley, Great Northern and Comas at the 506

Saturday saw a confluence of really good bands at the Local 506. First up was Wembley featuring Nathan Brown from Regina Hexaphone and the former Laramie UK. A terrific gig for such a new band. The arrangements were inventive and attractive to listen to. The vocals were clear and expressive. I wish I had a comparison for this band but they were very original. Definitely ensemble pop.

Next up was Great Northern from LA. They rocked hard from the very first note. A very tight performing ensemble they could stop and start on a dime. The material
was excellent as well. Lead Singer Rachel Stolte was impressive and guitarist Solon Bixler was amazing. Often coaxing overtones and harmonics out of the guitar this band is alot more rock oriented than their record would lead you to believe. Their new cd is called "Trading Twilight for Daylight"

Last was the Comas, alot of them, playing the solid material from their new album.
A particular favorite was Red Microphone. Members of the Comas had been off and on stage during the Great Northern set to help out with percussion and singing. It felt like these two bands who had been touring together were a singular support unit for each other. A rare thing in the current music industry climate.

What's on the Shuffle

The iPod shuffle is a forced exercise in distillation.
I love its portability and its need for me to be
precise with how it helps my workout. It is the karmic
opposite of my iPod Video. That said...

What's on the Shuffle:

The Comas - Spells
The Stars of Track and Field - Centuries Before Love and War
Voxtrot - Voxtrot
Oasis - What's the Story Morning Glory
Guster - Ganging Up on the Sun
U2 - October
U2 - How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb
U2 - One Single
Driveblind - Promo EP
The Police - Ghost in the Machine

Last 3 CDs Bought:

Claudio Abbado - Beethoven Symphony no. 9
Evgeny Kissin - 1984 Chopin Concert
Modest Mouse - We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank