The Live Music Room.

[Dan Steel]

Writing the previous article I realised I hadn’t posted about a gig I went to two weeks ago. I did write it up but got distracted and forgot to submit.
When we went to see This is the Kit in San Sebastián after the shows end we thought she was coming back on as we were leaving. So headed back and got right to the front of the stage, everyone had left as there was a ninety minute break before the next band. They weren’t doing an encore just picking up setlist, plectrums etc. Kit came right to the front by us so I asked if she had any plans to play the church again. She said no but she was playing Storyhouse here next month. Storyhouse is a great building we have here. It was a cinema that the council took over when it closed. It was converted into the main library, a couple of bars, cafe/bar, small cinema and a larger theatre/cinema. So when we got home checked for tickets and luck was with us as we found two on the third row sitting amongst an almost sold out show.
So the support was from a local girl band, three guitarists whose harmonies were lovely. Harmonies not just singing but with the guitars. I can’t remember their name. Then onto This is the Kit. We now got a more varied set pulling from all of her albums. In San Sebastián we got a best of setlist. We got Bulletproof, Off Off On, This is What You Did but no Silver John. Silver John was a highlight in San Sebastián as it showed the talent of her guitarist Neil Smith who is a guitarist who adds “effects” to a song. At one point both Kit and Rozi stood back to watch him work. Kate enjoyed talking to the audience and told us she was wearing her lucky socks she had bought here on a last visit. She asked questions about the town. They were on for a good hour and a half.
I found it disappointing that I had to hear from the artist that she was playing here. The event was hardly promoted. We now use the cafe as it serves the best coffee in town. Whilst there we can see who is playing. It mainly seems to be comedians who also sell out instantly.
As I said at the start it’s a great building and something the city should be proud of. I have to be honest I took it for granted using the library but now I’ve seen what it offers we will use it more.

Great gig Keith and a fine write up

[Coyote Jim]

Always a very informative and interesting read are Scooter's live gig write ups.

[Wenge1]

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Yes. I enjoy reading what Keith gets up to on the live music front ...................

[Dan Steel]

ROSE CITY BAND - LIVERPOOL PHILHARMONIC HALL - LIVERPOOL 07 NOVEMBER 2023 - DOORS OPEN: 7:00PM

Will be meeting up with Keith to see this excellent band. I can’t wait.

[Wenge1]

ROSE CITY BAND - LIVERPOOL PHILHARMONIC HALL - LIVERPOOL 07 NOVEMBER 2023 - DOORS OPEN: 7:00PM

Will be meeting up with Keith to see this excellent band. I can’t wait.

Nice one ..........

[Dan Steel]

Laura Veirs at Liverpool Leaf 23rd November 2023. Will be meeting up with Keith again for another great gig.

[Dan Steel]

Met up with Keith last night to see the excellent Rose City Band at the Philharmonic Hall.
We haven’t seen each other for a while due to not many good bands/singers touring. A couple of drinks in and a lot of talk to catch up on the opening act appeared, it was a singer guitarist Bobby Lee, who put on a fine performance singing his own material and very good he was.
The main act Rose City Band hit the stage around 9.
Rose City Band’s country psychedelic rock evokes the wide-open spaces of the American west. They are they project of acclaimed guitarist and vocalist Ripley Johnson, whose main band is Wooden Shjips.
Rose City Band has extended beyond the studio and live in tandem as a live ensemble featuring some of the finest players in contemporary rock: pedal steel guitarist Barry Walker, keyboardist Paul Hasenberg, bassist Dewey Mahood (aka Plankton Wat) and drummer Dustin Dybvig. They delivered a superb set starting off with the excellent “Empty Bottles ” from the equally excellent 2020 album Summerlong. They continued playing their fine music delivering song from their 4 albums. From the soaring guitar solos to the driving rhythms, the elegant pedal steel lines to the organ grooves, this live band’s energy captured exquisite detail. Like all great music, Rose City Band takes you to a happy place. The band are a joyous ride where the band’s sounds surround and embrace you.
Excellent band, Excellent music, and an Excellent night in the fine company of Keith. I will be meeting up with Keith again on 23 November to see the lovely Laura Veirs at Leaf in Liverpool…can’t wait

Setlist
Empty Bottles
Ramblin' With the Day
Feel Of Love
Mariposa
Me and Willie
In the Rain
Rabbit
Reno Shuffle
Slow Burn
Wee Hours
Wildflowers
Encore:
Dawn Patrol

[Wenge1]

Met up with Keith last night to see the excellent Rose City Band at the Philharmonic Hall.
We haven’t seen each other for a while due to not many good bands/singers touring. A couple of drinks in and a lot of talk to catch up on the opening act appeared, it was a singer guitarist Bobby Lee, who put on a fine performance singing his own material and very good he was.
The main act Rose City Band hit the stage around 9.
Rose City Band’s country psychedelic rock evokes the wide-open spaces of the American west. They are they project of acclaimed guitarist and vocalist Ripley Johnson, whose main band is Wooden Shjips.
Rose City Band has extended beyond the studio and live in tandem as a live ensemble featuring some of the finest players in contemporary rock: pedal steel guitarist Barry Walker, keyboardist Paul Hasenberg, bassist Dewey Mahood (aka Plankton Wat) and drummer Dustin Dybvig. They delivered a superb set starting off with the excellent “Empty Bottles ” from the equally excellent 2020 album Summerlong. They continued playing their fine music delivering song from their 4 albums. From the soaring guitar solos to the driving rhythms, the elegant pedal steel lines to the organ grooves, this live band’s energy captured exquisite detail. Like all great music, Rose City Band takes you to a happy place. The band are a joyous ride where the band’s sounds surround and embrace you.
Excellent band, Excellent music, and an Excellent night in the fine company of Keith. I will be meeting up with Keith again on 23 November to see the lovely Laura Veirs at Leaf in Liverpool…can’t wait

Setlist
Empty Bottles
Ramblin' With the Day
Feel Of Love
Mariposa
Me and Willie
In the Rain
Rabbit
Reno Shuffle
Slow Burn
Wee Hours
Wildflowers
Encore:
Dawn Patrol

.
Sounds like a great night out for you and Keith, Jim. Thanks for taking the trouble to write it up - I enjoyed reading it .......

[Scooter]

Met up with Keith last night to see the excellent Rose City Band at the Philharmonic Hall.
We haven’t seen each other for a while due to not many good bands/singers touring. A couple of drinks in and a lot of talk to catch up on the opening act appeared, it was a singer guitarist Bobby Lee, who put on a fine performance singing his own material and very good he was.
The main act Rose City Band hit the stage around 9.
Rose City Band’s country psychedelic rock evokes the wide-open spaces of the American west. They are they project of acclaimed guitarist and vocalist Ripley Johnson, whose main band is Wooden Shjips.
Rose City Band has extended beyond the studio and live in tandem as a live ensemble featuring some of the finest players in contemporary rock: pedal steel guitarist Barry Walker, keyboardist Paul Hasenberg, bassist Dewey Mahood (aka Plankton Wat) and drummer Dustin Dybvig. They delivered a superb set starting off with the excellent “Empty Bottles ” from the equally excellent 2020 album Summerlong. They continued playing their fine music delivering song from their 4 albums. From the soaring guitar solos to the driving rhythms, the elegant pedal steel lines to the organ grooves, this live band’s energy captured exquisite detail. Like all great music, Rose City Band takes you to a happy place. The band are a joyous ride where the band’s sounds surround and embrace you.
Excellent band, Excellent music, and an Excellent night in the fine company of Keith. I will be meeting up with Keith again on 23 November to see the lovely Laura Veirs at Leaf in Liverpool…can’t wait

Setlist
Empty Bottles
Ramblin' With the Day
Feel Of Love
Mariposa
Me and Willie
In the Rain
Rabbit
Reno Shuffle
Slow Burn
Wee Hours
Wildflowers
Encore:
Dawn Patrol

Cheers Jim, great night that included a lot of photos of Grandkids.

[Dan Steel]

Spent a very entertaining evening listening to the excellent Laura Veirs at the Leaf, Bold Street, Liverpool last night.
I met up with Keith outside the venue and found Mark inside.
The Leaf is a small intimate venue and only holds about 200 people. It has a nice cosy atmosphere with tables and chairs spread around and a good bar.
We found good seats and after a couple of drinks and a natter the gig started with Karl Blau and singer guitarist who performed few of his own and others songs. He was very good and his talk between each song was great.
Laura took the stage around 9 and was backed by Karl, Laura mentioned that they have been great friends for over 20 years. Laura played acoustic guitar and Karl played lead guitar. She performed songs from her new album and threw some songs from her other albums.
Laura’s song are a mixture of folk,alt country, Americana and psych. She has a lovely voice and like Emily Barker you can listen to her all night. Karl complimented Laura music admirably and a full house where happily entertained.
We left the gig very contented having being entertained by a very special singer/musician.

[Wenge1]

Spent a very entertaining evening listening to the excellent Laura Veirs at the Leaf, Bold Street, Liverpool last night.
I met up with Keith outside the venue and found Mark inside.
The Leaf is a small intimate venue and only holds about 200 people. It has a nice cosy atmosphere with tables and chairs spread around and a good bar.
We found good seats and after a couple of drinks and a natter the gig started with Karl Blau and singer guitarist who performed few of his own and others songs. He was very good and his talk between each song was great.
Laura took the stage around 9 and was backed by Karl, Laura mentioned that they have been great friends for over 20 years. Laura played acoustic guitar and Karl played lead guitar. She performed songs from her new album and threw some songs from her other albums.
Laura’s song are a mixture of folk,alt country, Americana and psych. She has a lovely voice and like Emily Barker you can listen to her all night. Karl complimented Laura music admirably and a full house where happily entertained.
We left the gig very contented having being entertained by a very special singer/musician.

.
Great write up Jim. Thanks for taking the time to do it .....

[Dan Steel]

Spent a very entertaining evening listening to the excellent Laura Veirs at the Leaf, Bold Street, Liverpool last night.
I met up with Keith outside the venue and found Mark inside.
The Leaf is a small intimate venue and only holds about 200 people. It has a nice cosy atmosphere with tables and chairs spread around and a good bar.
We found good seats and after a couple of drinks and a natter the gig started with Karl Blau and singer guitarist who performed few of his own and others songs. He was very good and his talk between each song was great.
Laura took the stage around 9 and was backed by Karl, Laura mentioned that they have been great friends for over 20 years. Laura played acoustic guitar and Karl played lead guitar. She performed songs from her new album and threw some songs from her other albums.
Laura’s song are a mixture of folk,alt country, Americana and psych. She has a lovely voice and like Emily Barker you can listen to her all night. Karl complimented Laura music admirably and a full house where happily entertained.
We left the gig very contented having being entertained by a very special singer/musician.

.
Great write up Jim. Thanks for taking the time to do it .....

Thanks for reading it Adam

[Mark57]

Went to ABBA Voyage tonight. I won’t say too much in case someone else goes, but what a fantastic use of technology (someone from planet Zog who didn't know they were holograms might easily mistake them for live people), an excellent ten piece live band and of course, a set list stuffed full of some of the greatest pop songs ever written. Sheer joy throughout. Highly recommended.

[Mark57]

Interesting gig tonight at my favourite tiny venue, deep in the West Country. It only seats 30, and we were there to see Chris Brain, fairly new on the touring folk scene. He is a good singer/song writer, and a great guitar player. Recommended if you come across him.

[Scooter]

David Gilmour started trending today in X. Thinking the worst I checked it to find his tour tickets on went on sale today £22.50, not a bad price I hear you thinking. That is just the service charge for buying a ticket!!!

[Wenge1]

Interesting gig tonight at my favourite tiny venue, deep in the West Country. It only seats 30, and we were there to see Chris Brain, fairly new on the touring folk scene. He is a good singer/song writer, and a great guitar player. Recommended if you come across him.

..........

[Mark57]

Saw Springsteen last night. What a great show. 74 and still rocking out with the fantastic E Street band. The guy played for 3 hours straight and didn’t stop once. Brilliant mix of some newer tracks with of course plenty of the greats from the 70’s and 80’s as well. 80,000 people singing and rocking along with the band, magical.

[Dan Steel]

Saw Springsteen last night. What a great show. 74 and still rocking out with the fantastic E Street band. The guy played for 3 hours straight and didn’t stop once. Brilliant mix of some newer tracks with of course plenty of the greats from the 70’s and 80’s as well. 80,000 people singing and rocking along with the band, magical.

Nice one glad you enjoyed it, it’s always a long haul with Bruce.

[Dan Steel]

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Looking forward to this one

[Dan Steel]

Can’t wait to see the legend

[Coyote Jim]

Can’t wait to see the legend

Well chuffed for you mate say hello from me

[Dan Steel]

Can’t wait to see the legend

Well chuffed for you mate say hello from me

And risk being barred out

[Dan Steel]

Back home after a weeks stay in NYC, been through the pain barrier and back again, but able to see a lot of the famous sites. Managed to get to a few gigs so here they are.
First off was the Blue Note Club in Greenwich Village to see Ruthie Foster on 30th September. She was performing 2 shows 8:00 and 10:30. My wife and I attended the first show although we were told we could stay on and watch the second one if we wished. I have been an enormous fan of Ruthie for years and I have most of her albums. she has a great range of material covering blues, gospel and soul, and her performance was breathtaking. She has just released a new album so she performed several tracks of that as well as many great tracks from her previous albums. Backed by Scottie Miller on piano, Brannen Temple on drums and Larry Fulcher on bass she blew the house open with a superb performance singing material from The Staples, Son House etc. The range she has in her voice is remarkable and her interfaced with the audience was great. Her backing band was hot as well.
We met up with Ruthie after the show in the Blue Note shop she signed her new album for me and my wife got on really well with her. She is doing a few gigs over here towards the end of the month to promote her new album. I told her all about Liverpool and how much she would love it here she said they are going to add extra gig so she may take me up on my offer.
They call her the Phenomenal Ruthie Foster and that she truly is.

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[Coyote Jim]

Fabulous write up Dan and really chuffed you had a great time.
Keep them coming.
What a destination Blue Note New York.

[Dan Steel]

Next gig was Ron Carter at the Birdland W44th Street on 1st Oct.
I tried to book tickets on line from an England but the ticket site wasn’t having it. I tried again in NY but the same thing was happening. Our hotel was only two streets away so we walked up to see what time it opened. It said on the door 4:30 as it was around 3 was had a few drinks in a bar over the road. I went over after it opened and I was able to get two tickets for his early show. I also found out there was an early show in the lower ground theatre from The Anderson Brothers. Will and Pete Anderson are twins and play sax, clarinet and flute. They are very well respected in the jazz circles. Backed by drums, bass, piano and trumpet they performed s tribute to Henry Mancini. Boy these guys can really play and they were a pleasure to see. I never knew Mancini had written so many tunes.

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We went up stair to the club to witness a stunning performance from bass maestro Mr Ron Carter. I have been a high fan of Ron for years and I rate him as one of the finest jazz bass players along side Paul Chambers, Charlie Mingus. Ron is among the most original, prolific and influential bassists in jazz with more than 2,000 albums to his credit. Beginning his career in the 1960s with Jaki Byard and Eric Dolphy, Cannonball Adderley, and a five year stint with the Miles Davis’ Quintet, Ron also performed and recorded with notables including Bill Evans, B.B. King, and Dexter Gordon. Ron Carter’s various ensembles, big band to trio, feature a who’s who of the finest players on the NYC scene with, “an absolute commitment to musical sublimity [that] exudes refined elegance and sonic power.
This performance he was backed by Donald Vega (piano) and Donald Harrison (alto sax) and we were treated to a master class of jazz. I was mesmerised watching his hands glide effortlessly up and down his double bass. Ron is a very tall guy thin and very soft spoken. He talked in between each tune his speech is very low which was becoming to his age of 87 years. I was a really pleasure and a dream to watch Ron perform.
I wasn’t aware as I was so engrossed watching him play that my wife had a quiet word with Ron’s assistant and fixed it for me to meet Ron in his dressing room after the show where we spoke and he kindly signed a album for me. It was a high privilege and honour to meet him.

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