A week of music and pictures

The above picture is of the first concert of the week. Los Lobos @ the Minnesota Zoo. I enjoyed the concert in parts, some of the music moved me ( mostly the blues numbers) and the opening act "the lee boys" was full of energy. But there were some spots of the show that didn't really hold me. Still a fun night in the open air! C+

Derick Trucks

Warren Haynes

3 nights later was the show I was anxiously awaiting. The Allman Brothers Band w/ Robert Randolph. I am a big fan of The Allmans and love the current version of this band with Derrick Trucks and Warren Haynes on guitar. A light rain fell most of the day....I was hoping the music gods would smile on us !



Robert Randolph had a solid opening set, he truly showed why he is creating such a buzz with his unique style of guitar playing. Very unique sound and very upbeat. His songwriting needs to get a little better and get past just groove type music. Don't get me wrong, I love a good groove...but your mind has to follow too! :-)



The Allmans came out....and for 2.5 hours held my rapt attention. Gregg Allman sounded very good, even though he didn't sing as much as I would have liked to have heard. Warren and Derrick traded guitar duels that left me with a big smile! This is what guitar fans paid their $$$ for! A light mist fell throughout....it kinda added to the atmosphere.



Gregg, Warren and Otel ( bass player) came out for the first song of the encore. Gregg on acoustic and warren on lead, they played a stunning version of "Melissa". It was a moment I don't hardly ever experience in a live setting. The goosebump factor. Great stuff. Great show!

Even better, they recorded the show. Better than any dang T-shirt! A souvenir that I have played several times in the last few days!

A+

UPDATED- SETLIST with links to lyrics

1.
Revival
2.
Done Somebody Wrong
3.
Midnight Rider
4.
Woman Across The River
5.
Come and Go Blues
6.
Every Hungry Woman
7.
Who's Been Talking
8.
Anyday
9.
The Same Thing
10.
Jessica
Encore
11.
Melissa
12.
One Way Out
with Robert Randolph, pedal steel

Rev. Al Green Etta James

Last night: Etta James, Al Green, BB King ( sorry no pics of BB)

Wow. Etta James. She rolled out in a little rascal ( electric cart) and my first thought was, uh oh. I couldn't be more wrong. She got out of that chair and did about 1 hour of the most raunchy emotion filled music I have heard in a long time. This is a woman that has battled some very serious health issues in the last few months and it was great to see the love she has for performing. She looked weak...but sure as heck didn't perform like it. Powerful stuff.

After a short break, it was time for the man I have waited 20 years to see again. Al Green. Always one of my favorite singers and also notoriously a frustrating performer. If Al isn't feeling it...you will get a spotty show. Well, Rev. Al was feeling it, and so was I! Sadly, most of the crowd sat on its butt throughout, but I didn't. I danced and sang my way through the hour and change that he performed. This woman half my age behind me told me to sit down....I feigned a hearing problem! :-) I paid my $$$$ I was gonna enjoy this! I took a ton of pics and got up near the stage for a couple.....Great night of Al. The rest was gravy!

BB came out a little later. He is 81 years old now. Spends most of his show talking about his life...and throws in some music in between. But when he places Lucille in his hands ( the name of his guitar for those that don't know) the sound is one that you will never hear again. Powerful and strong. When he sings, same thing. You forget he is 81 and feel the shiver in your body. He closed with his classic, " The Thrill Is Gone". I love that song so much and it was a perfect capper to 4 hours of great music. Etta B+ Al A+ BB (what else....A B!)

A great week of music!

Big week for music coming up

As I noted in the previous post. I am seeing Los Lobos tonight, although I am looking forward to it....I am really excited about the 2 shows I am seeing this up coming week @ The Minnesota State Fair

Tuesday 8/28 The Allman Brothers Band-
How can I not be excited..2 of my fave guitar players on the planet on one stage ( warren haynes,derek trucks!)and then add in Gregg Allman....whew!







Thurs. 8/30 BB KING (the legend!), Al Green ( my fave!) and maybe Etta James ( she has been ill)
( check out this great recent Al clip. His music just moves me.)

Should be a memorable week....Allman Bros show will be recorded for purchase...yeah I will have one please! :-)

Los Lobos tonight 8/25

Tonight I am going to the Minnesota Zoo to see a great band. Los Lobos. Yeah...its weird to go see a band at the zoo,but its the only open air amp theatre in the Twin Cities. We need to do something about this! :-)

Marvin & Tammi

These 2 had chemistry. I love this song.. they don't write em like this anymore. ( yeah...I am a romantic!)

Reggie Does it!

Wow what a day! I am so proud of my Dog ! As the above picture shows....we were flying around the course!

We took 2nd place out of 50 dogs in our first ever competition run in jumpers ( hurdles!)! I was in shock and also all smiles as we took a nice red ribbon home. But there was still was another run that I had signed up for . Tunnelers ( yep you guessed it....the dog goes through tunnels!)

We sat through 6 hours of cold and rain to get to our 2nd run of the day ( nice planning Mike, pick the first and last events of the day !) for tunnelers. I thought hurldles were a challenge....this was another story. The ground was mud and the turns required to get to the right tunnel, were very sharp.

Reggie and I aced it! We finished 1st place out of 50 again! I guess I know what it feels like to be a coach that watches his young player become a star! :-)

He did great!

Agility ! Nice Pic By My Son!

My young lad Steven took this nice pic last night at agility training. Reggie is just coming out of the chute ( the yellow thing behind him) and I am guiding him towards the jump ahead ( and gasping for air!).

We have our first formal competition this upcoming Sunday ( 8-19). Should be fun! I have a feeling he will do pretty well.

Today is Aug 16. 30 year anniv. of the death of the King. Where were you when you heard the news? I was getting ready for a camping trip with my best bud Jeff and I saw a neighbor come running out in tears crying " Elvis Presley has died!" Was a bit startling ....but gave me a idea how much he meant to so many. I later became a huge fan myself.

In honor of Diamond Dave back in the band!

Van Halen back together! I really hope they stay together with David Lee Roth...but the train is now on the track..and a wreck is always a possibilty!.

DAVID LEE ROTH 8/13/07 "We are stereophonic with a Hi-Fi additude!" ( gotta love dave!)

Just what all of you have waited for....more car stuff!

Here is what I saved my birthday $$$ for ( one of the things!). A new hood deflector...makes it look meeeeeeeeean! ( for a car 2 people could lift!)

New seat cushion's....and seat belt sliders ( gotta really strap in when you are getting 40mpg!)

Rear Bumper Guard!!!!!

Decals!!! (Blurry!!) I have em on both sides...adds to the mean machine look!

I only have 3 things left on the car and I am done! I have a center console storage box on order...some sport gas and brake pedals on order.....and last but not least....a chrome exhaust tip ( $20) to get in the future!

As you can tell....I am really loving dressing up this car. Its been very reasonable...in fact the most expensive thing I have purchased is the hood deflector. I had to source that from Canada, since they don't make em for US versions for some reason. Thanks to web sites like http://www.fitfreak.net I am able to find most of this stuff at very reasonable prices!

So....do you think I am going through some mid life crisis??? If I am....I am sure enjoying it!

check out this cool movie of the car I drive!

Yeah...this might be a bit modified....but it shows how fun it is to drive!

Randy Savage Interview

maaaaaan I miss the man who sold slim jims!!!! Dig it! Total gibberish for ya!

the bar kays son of shaft

this is very funny and funky at the same time....check out the dude that prince stole some of his stuff from..and the the guy that looks like a huge q-tip!

some pics of me and reg!

I am trying like mad to get some clear pics of Reggie and I doing agility......the egotistical thing to say would be "well...we are moving too quick for the human eye to catch". I think its more of a lighting issue.....but we do move really quick! :-)

How does this happen?????

I am still in shock that a bridge that I have traveled over hundreds of times collapsed all at once like this. I feel so bad for the people that lost lives, were hurt and also just had to go through this terrifying experience. There have been many blessings during this tragedy, the main one is.....

LIFE IS SO FRAGILE, EMBRACE EACH DAY LIKE IT IS YOUR LAST.