My first concert of the new year was at Largo at the Coronet in Los Angeles (surprise, surprise) where I traveled to see the Watkins Family Hour plus special guests on January 11, 2017. Sean Watkins took to the stage with his guitar and wished the audience a “Happy New Year,” while Sara picked up her ukulele and wondered how late into January it was appropriate to remark on the new year. The first song, played as a duo, was one written by Bobby Darin and Woody Harris, “Early in the Morning.” Upon finishing they introduced the talented Tristan Clarridge,
Category: Concert Journal
Our Lives Are Valuable Too
Once again to Largo at the Coronet in Los Angeles for a Jon Brion show on December 23, 2016 — the real “Last Show Before We Go” on the main stage before Largo closed during the holiday period. There was quite a lot of heavy rain that day in L.A. and I don’t think the audience turnout was what it should have been for this show. There was practically a river flowing down the sides of La Cienega. Upon entering the theatre, I was pleased to see some equipment set up on stage, including two movie screens, sampler, miniKorg, and
You’ll Be Back
I was looking for something to do on a Saturday night (December 3, 2016) and at the same time was hankering for an evening at Largo, when some tickets became available for the previously sold out performance of Paul F. Tompkins Hogs the Covers. I snapped one up quickly and headed out the door to my favorite venue in L.A. The stage that night was packed with more musicians than I’d ever seen on there at one time, including a horn section. The Largo stage was spruced up for Christmas and the anticipatory atmosphere was invigorating. Paul had organized an
You Hear That Sound
Had to take a break from blogging for a little while, but now that I’ve made it through December 2016 intact, I’m happy to recount a fantastic concert I attended back on November 25, 2016. On the day after Thanksgiving I headed to the Microsoft Theater in downtown Los Angeles to experience the juggernaut that is Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox. For the uninitiated, PMJ, as it is abbreviated and affectionately known, consists of a flexible roster of musicians taking modern hits and playing them in various musical styles that were in vogue at some time in the past. Songs are
Tired of Facing All of This
Due to Thanksgiving, Jon Brion’s monthly Largo show fell earlier in the month than usual, taking place on November 18, 2016. It was just over a week after the US election that had many heads still spinning here on the left coast. Largo-owner Mark Flanagan introduced Jon by saying, “2017 is gonna be great.” I wondered what on earth he could be talking about until he carried on a moment later, “We’re going to have benefits for Planned Parenthood and the ACLU and celebrate Leonard Cohen.” As if I didn’t already have so much respect for that man just for