I was back at Largo at the Coronet on Friday, March 25, 2016 for Jon Brion’s monthly show. The addition of special guest Grant-Lee Phillips livened up the night. I’ve seen Grant-Lee perform a few times: three times with his band Grant Lee Buffalo, once on the “Surf and Turf” tour with Glen Phillips, and twice with Steve Poltz. I adore Grant-Lee’s voice and his wonderful sense of humor, so I was absolutely delighted when he played an opening set and later joined Jon on the stage. When Grant-Lee sat down with his Gibson J-200 guitar to open, he glanced
Tag: Jon Brion
Skip Your Habit of Laying Low
On Saturday, March 5, 2016, I attended a screening of Paul Thomas Anderson‘s film Punch-Drunk Love with the score played live on stage by Wild Up, the Wordless Music Orchestra, and composer Jon Brion. The film was shown at the Theatre at Ace Hotel . You can read about the film’s plot at the link above, if you have not seen the movie since it debuted in 2002. You can also see it on Netflix. The orchestra was already in place on the stage as the audience filtered into the theatre for this sold out performance. The conductor, Ryan
I Was Happy With You
Friday, February 26, 2016 found me back at Largo at the Coronet for Jon Brion’s monthly show. There was no guest to open the show, just Jon coming on stage, sitting down on a chair, and introducing himself saying that if the Irishman was there (referring to Largo-owner Mark Flanagan) he would say something like, “Get your knickers in a twist,” [here’s Jon Brion]. Then, as if he’d accidentally sat in the wrong seat, Jon hopped up and moved over to the piano, where he is clearly most comfortable easing into things. He started off playing some sweet jazz modulations
Where My Heart Wants to Be
There was a short set of songs in The Little Room at Largo at the Coronet on Friday, December 18, 2015 after Jon Brion’s show. Gosh I love this space, even though it is pretty cold on the winter nights! So great to sit just a few feet away from the performers. The set on Friday night was led by David Garza. He started off pretty soon after Jon’s set, inviting his friend, singer Gaby Moreno, on stage for a couple songs. They started off with the song “Los Peces en el Rio,” with Sara Watkins joining in on the
Someone Really Gets You
Friday, December 18, 2015 found me back at Largo at the Coronet for the last Jon Brion show of the year. Surprise opener was actor and comedian Zach Galifianakis, who delivered a short, yet hilarious, set of new jokes. As usual, Jon started off the show by playing a couple instrumental pieces on the piano. He began slowly with chords alternating between the treble and bass until he created a full sound; it was reminiscent to me of something from a Rachmaninoff concerto. The second piece felt like it could be the accompaniment to an old-fashioned murder mystery, perhaps a