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!