Let the music play - new Concert Reviews/Experiences

[Ope3]

Tonight I do not have to travel far to see a little Big Star (Quintet).

The Big Star Quintet - First Avenue

After many years celebrating the music of Big Star via the collective known as Big Star’s Third, Jody Stephens (the last surviving member of the original Big Star lineup) had...

first-avenue.com

At first take, seeing a "tribute" has always seemed something I just am not interested in. Not hearing the original voices, seems to usually fall well short of expectations.

Of course, this The Big Star Quintet is more of a hybrid as original drummer Jody Stevens has put together a 5 piece of musicians as he described "completely capture the spirit" of the songs. To that sentiment, I could not agree more.

The hired hands include Mike Mills (REM), Pat Sansome (Wilco), Chris Stamey (the dBs) & Jon Auer (The Posies). All 5 shared lead vox, pretty much equally. 31 songs, all from the Big Star catalog expect 3 which are Chris Bell solo tune per Setlist.com.

Also my opinion on tribute bands has been a 180, when they are really done well and embraced by the original artists such as Michael Shannon-Jason Narducy taking on REM. Sort of surreal for me, as I saw that collection in March on the same stage (included Wilco's bass player John Stirratt) to then see an REM member doing the same thing.

The show was great. Tremendous fun and a wonderful finale with September Gurls (sung by Mills).

Other notes, Pat Sansome remarked it was his first ever show at 1st Ave, "I finally made it!" Also he remarked how much of an influence Big Star was to him as a kid growing up in nearby Mississippi. You can tell this project is quite a labor of love.

Mills said he was not his maiden voyage at 1st Ave, and his debut more than 40 years ago at the club, "Was a big night for all 50 attendees!"

Jody Stevens relayed several stories on how Big Star formed, tidbits on some of the songs and how he formed this version of the Quintet. Sometimes there are only 4, but still calls it the "Quintet".

 

[Ope3]

At first take, seeing a "tribute" has always seemed something I just am not interested in. Not hearing the original voices, seems to usually fall well short of expectations.

Of course, this The Big Star Quintet is more of a hybrid as original drummer Jody Stevens has put together a 5 piece of musicians as he described "completely capture the spirit" of the songs. To that sentiment, I could not agree more.

The hired hands include Mike Mills (REM), Pat Sansome (Wilco), Chris Stamey (the dBs) & Jon Auer (The Posies). All 5 shared lead vox, pretty much equally. 31 songs, all from the Big Star catalog expect 3 which are Chris Bell solo tune per Setlist.com.

Also my opinion on tribute bands has been a 180, when they are really done well and embraced by the original artists such as Michael Shannon-Jason Narducy taking on REM. Sort of surreal for me, as I saw that collection in March on the same stage (included Wilco's bass player John Stirratt) to then see an REM member doing the same thing.

The show was great. Tremendous fun and a wonderful finale with September Gurls (sung by Mills).

Other notes, Pat Sansome remarked it was his first ever show at 1st Ave, "I finally made it!" Also he remarked how much of an influence Big Star was to him as a kid growing up in nearby Mississippi. You can tell this project is quite a labor of love.

Mills said he was not his maiden voyage at 1st Ave, and his debut more than 40 years ago at the club, "Was a big night for all 50 attendees!"

Jody Stevens relayed several stories on how Big Star formed, tidbits on some of the songs and how he formed this version of the Quintet. Sometimes there are only 4, but still calls it the "Quintet".

 

[tikited]

At first take, seeing a "tribute" has always seemed something I just am not interested in. Not hearing the original voices, seems to usually fall well short of expectations.

Of course, this The Big Star Quintet is more of a hybrid as original drummer Jody Stevens has put together a 5 piece of musicians as he described "completely capture the spirit" of the songs. To that sentiment, I could not agree more.

The hired hands include Mike Mills (REM), Pat Sansome (Wilco), Chris Stamey (the dBs) & Jon Auer (The Posies). All 5 shared lead vox, pretty much equally. 31 songs, all from the Big Star catalog expect 3 which are Chris Bell solo tune per Setlist.com.

Also my opinion on tribute bands has been a 180, when they are really done well and embraced by the original artists such as Michael Shannon-Jason Narducy taking on REM. Sort of surreal for me, as I saw that collection in March on the same stage (included Wilco's bass player John Stirratt) to then see an REM member doing the same thing.

The show was great. Tremendous fun and a wonderful finale with September Gurls (sung by Mills).

Other notes, Pat Sansome remarked it was his first ever show at 1st Ave, "I finally made it!" Also he remarked how much of an influence Big Star was to him as a kid growing up in nearby Mississippi. You can tell this project is quite a labor of love.

Mills said he was not his maiden voyage at 1st Ave, and his debut more than 40 years ago at the club, "Was a big night for all 50 attendees!"

Jody Stevens relayed several stories on how Big Star formed, tidbits on some of the songs and how he formed this version of the Quintet. Sometimes there are only 4, but still calls it the "Quintet".

Pat was amazing. I had no idea he could sing that well. Great guitar work as well. I'm so glad I went.

 

[Ope3]

Pat was amazing. I had no idea he could sing that well. Great guitar work as well. I'm so glad I went.

I had an inkling on Pat's guitar chops, but like you pretty much no idea on his vocals.

I saw a short Autumn Defense (project with Stirratt) set in Eau Claire 10 years ago which he sang a few songs in an acoustic setting, but that's it. They have a new album coming out in the fall I am now more curious about.



There was a female Wilco fan that freaked out when he did the windmill guitar motion. She said he only usually does that during I'm a Wheel. I'll take her word on that.

 

[tikited]

Anyone going to Dinosaur Jr. tonight? Snail Mail opens. Never saw them before. Should be a good show at the Fillmore.

 

[Ope3]

Anyone going to Dinosaur Jr. tonight? Snail Mail opens. Never saw them before. Should be a good show at the Fillmore.

Artie Fufkin was a game time decision, but is in the house. Snail Mail was quite pleasant.

 

[tikited]

Artie Fufkin was a game time decision, but is in the house. Snail Mail was quite pleasant.

Can't believe she is 26. She was playing hockey in high school when she started.
Good show overall. Jay adds to his leading overall total for me for shows. I continue to call Lou the most entertaining bass player in the business.

 

[Ope3]

Can't believe she is 26. She was playing hockey in high school when she started.
Good show overall. Jay adds to his leading overall total for me for shows. I continue to call Lou the most entertaining bass player in the business.

No love for Murph?!?



I was unfamiliar with Snail Mail other than a song or two on the Current. Good stuff. Pretty clear there were more than a few in the audience to see them primarily. I got in the door right before their set, so I missed the opener.

Pretty cool for Kurt Vile to show up and guest on a Dinosaur Jr song, he got in early ahead of opening for the Pixies/Palace shows.

Now that it's been more than 4 years since their last release (Sweep it Into Space) and the have been in this market every year since then, I was not expecting much from that album but would would have liked a few tracks more.

Still an amazing set especially the last 5 songs leading into the encore. I dug that finale Stooge's cover T.V. Eye with the opening band singer taking the lead vox.

It was my first time at the Fillmore, and I give it a thumbs up. Sounded great. Good raised stage for sightlines. It did remind me of the San Fran version in terms of room set up with a balcony. They did not give out apples or pears when exiting as their namesake venue did when I caught Son Volt in the Bay Area back in 1996.

I chuckled at the "No Crowd Surfing" signs at the entrance. Killjoys.

 

[Ope3]

Farm Aid coming to town at the Bank (in Dinkytown).

Willie Nelson will bring Farm Aid to Minneapolis on Sept. 20

The nonprofit that helps family farmers will celebrate its 40th anniversary with an all-star concert at the Gophers’ Huntington Bank Stadium.

www.startribune.com

Steve Earle and a couple of up and coming artists have been added to the Farm Aid line-up.

Kenny Chesney, Wynonna Judd and Steve Earle added for Farm Aid in Minneapolis

They join Willie Nelson, Neil Young and others for the 40th anniversary of the fundraiser for family farmers.

www.startribune.com

 

[BleedGopher]

I recently saw Toad the Wet Sprocket, with The Jayhawks opening. Semisonic was originally supposed to open but their lead singer suffered a stroke, so they swapped 1 legendary MN band for another. I would have rather have seen Semisonic, but Jayhawks were solid and gave Mpls/St Paul a shout out even though the concert was in Ohio.

Toad sounded fantastic, as good as last time I saw them which was in 2003 opening for Counting Crows. Toad had a couple of acoustic songs, and played 1-2 really good new songs, the rest were the hits.

I’ll definitely see Toad again.

Go Live Music!!

 

[Ope3]

I recently saw Toad the Wet Sprocket, with The Jayhawks opening. Semisonic was originally supposed to open but their lead singer suffered a stroke, so they swapped 1 legendary MN band for another. I would have rather have seen Semisonic, but Jayhawks were solid and gave Mpls/St Paul a shout out even though the concert was in Ohio.

Go Live Music!!

Gary Louris is originally from the Buckeye state, so I would bet a substantial amount that Somewhere in Ohio from the Smile album was on the setlist.

 

[TRF Guy]

 

[BleedGopher]

Last week I saw Zach Bryan with Kings of Leon and Turnpike Troubadours opening. First time seeing Kings of Leon, they have two new songs with Zach Bryan and ZB came out and sang both songs during Kings of Leon’s set, first time I’ve seen a headliner do that, cool to see.

I’m a big Turnpike fan, they were great as usual. ZB has risen so quickly up the country ranks, he’s an amazing song writer and performer.

Fun lineup.

Go Live Music!!

 

[Ope3]

With a cousin living in the Seattle area who is also a Wilco fan, seemed like a no brainer to go out for a visit and take in 2 shows at the Woodland Park Zoo. Pretty awesome outdoor setting in the meadow, all GA with capacity just under 4000. It's north of Lake Union just a couple of miles.

Serendipity coincidence, I saw Cal Raleigh launch HRs 48 & 49 on Sunday afternoon for the Mariners. These turned out to be Wilco Shows 48 & 49 for me, going back to 1997.

With noise curfews these were early gigs, doors at 4:30, show at 6:00 pm, done by 9:00 pm. Fantastic weather, unseasonably warm for Seattle. No openers, 2 sets with short intermission. I'm sort of spoiled because in combo with their St Paul Palace run last December, that's 5 in a row of nothing but Wilco for 3 hours of music.

Sunday with the baseball game we were late arrivers, but fortunately had some friends save us some real estate about 20yds back from the stage, about even with the soundboard.

With no new releases this year, both shows were pretty encompassing of their now 30+ year catalog. Highlights both nights were Spiders (lush acoustic version that predates AGIB), Sunken Treasure, Either Way & I'm Always in Love. The last one was quite a reworked version.

2nd night we were able to get there early pre-doors opening to get to about the 5th row. I would guess it was about 50% repeats and included a couple of rare gems Someday Soon & Pick Up the Change. For Pick Up the Change, I had not heard that live since the 90s and it was the first time performed at all since 2016.

The Seattle run ended with an encore of Being There rockers Monday and Outta Mind (Outta Sight) into what has been a standard tour closer this year, covering The Grateful Dead's U.S. Blues which kills.

Jeff Tweedy also turned 58 on Monday which led to some fun crowd interaction/salutes and stage banter.

Great trip.

Crazy to think, that is now "Big 10 Territory".

 

[BleedGopher]

I saw Wallflowers last night after the Gopher game (love PST!). Dylan's voice has definitely gotten deeper and raspier over the years, and starting to sound more and more like his Dad from about 25 years ago. Big difference between Jacob and Bob - Jacob seems like he loves to perform, his Dad not so much. Jacob played a few new songs and then said something to the effect of, "I know most of you came here to sing along to the hits, so let's have at it" - a sentence his Dad would never say.

He played a number of Tom Petty covers throughout as well, including in the encore and shared how Petty is the biggest influence on his music.

Go Live Music!!

 

[Ope3]

He played a number of Tom Petty covers throughout as well, including in the encore and shared how Petty is the biggest influence on his music.

Go Live Music!!

His old man & Petty have the Traveling Wilburys connection.

 

[TRF Guy]

Rick Davies, co-founder of the British rock group Supertramp, died Saturday at his home in Long Island. He was 81.

Supertramp co-founder Rick Davies dead at 81 - NewsBreak

Rick Davies, co-founder of British rock band Supertramp, died Saturday from cancer after battling multiple myeloma for years. He was 81.

share.newsbreak.com

 

[BleedGopher]

I had an interesting evening going to the Spin Doctors/Gin Blossoms/Blues Traveler concert. I was pretty excited for this one as Gin Blossoms was the very first concert I went to back in 1994, and Blues Traveler was my second concert. I saw Gin Blossoms again last year and they were great, but I hadn’t seen Blues Traveler in 30 years. First time for Spin Doctors.

Well 2 hours before the show the promoter sent out an email that John Popper was sick and would not perform, but Chris Barron from Spin Doctors and Robin Wilson from Gin Blossoms would perform with Blues Traveler band and sing their set, along with their own sets. They offered money back if we wanted, but I still wanted to see SD and GB and the tickets weren’t that expensive so I went.

Spin Doctors opened, they were ok. Their bigger hits sounded solid, the rest was just OK. Then they flipped and had “Blues Traveler” go and it was something…the interesting part was apparently Chris Barron tried out to be co-lead singer with Popper back in early 90’s but it didn’t work out, they stayed with just Popper and Barron started Spin Doctors. So now he’s a pseudo lead singer for BT if only for a night or two. Well, he was awful. He had lyric sheets with him on stage, I couldn’t believe he didn’t know their songs by heart, they sang all the hits and they’ve been on tour together all summer. Barron sounded like a bad karaoke night. Wilson from Gin Blossoms sang a few of the BT songs and he was better. I appreciated both of them trying to salvage the night, but wow, big time let down not having Popper there.

Gin Blossoms then closed the concert and they were great as usual. I’ll definitely see them again.

Go Live Music!!