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August 29, 2006

Derailers @ Molly Malones: August 28, 2006

Much like working at a pop radio station that used to be a country station, it's hard to watch the Derailers without remembering the ghost of what used to be.

When Tony Villanueva left the group, it seems he took some of the magic with him. My feelings about the Derailers minus Tony kind of went in an arc - when they started their set at Molly Malone's Monday night, I thought, "I miss Tony!" As the show went on, I didn't miss him quite so much, as they played some of the songs that Brian Hofeldt originally did the lead vocals for, and a couple of tunes from their latest album Soldier of Love. Toward the end of the show, though, I missed Tony again. Do the Derailers, with their vast library of material, really need to cover "Johnny B. Goode"?

Sometimes you're better off just starting all over again.

Posted by darlin at 8:47 AM

August 26, 2006

Chip Taylor and Carrie Rodriguez @ McCabe's: August 20, 2006

Some shows you just know are going to be good, and then they surpass your expectations. Chip Taylor and Carrie Rodriguez's show at McCabe's in Santa Monica Sunday night was one of those shows. Their debut performance at the quaint guitar shop, Carrie opened the show which started shortly after 7pm. The fiddle virtuoso played a series of songs from her debut solo CD Seven Angels on a Bicycle, some, but not all, of which featured her considerable skills with a fiddle. Carrie's sultry yet sassy voice worked well with uptempo numbers like "Never Gonna Be Your Bride," and "'50s French Movie" (which, written by Chip Taylor, I personally believe rivals Jedd Hughes' "Damn, You Feel Good" as the sexiest song ever), but also seemed to melt in ballads like the title track from her CD.

After a short break, Carrie returned to the stage...this time with Chip Taylor in tow. She provided backing vocals for most of his songs, as well as singing a few tunes from each of their three duets albums. In addition to performing several songs from his new album Unglorious Hallelulujah (highlights included "Thursday Night Las Vegas Airport," "This Old Town," "I Don't Believe in That", and a ton more that I'm forgetting), Chip also did an awesome version of "Big River" (noting that one of his prized possessions was a hand-written note from Johnny Cash to Chip, saying how much he liked Chip's version of it). To wrap up the show, Chip performed the songs that he's arguably most famous for writing: "Angel of the Morning," and "Wild Thing."

(Chip relayed a story that he'd recorded "Wild Thing" in-studio shortly after writing it, out of fear that he'd forget. Following the recording session, he came home and asked his brother Jon (Voight, yes, that Jon Voight) if he'd like to hear his new song. Reluctantly, Jon said "Okay," then fell on the floor after hearing it. "That's the best thing you've ever written," Jon told Chip. It's one of those moments that I like to think about...the very first time a legendary song like that was heard by any sort of audience.)

Chip just by himself would have been a delight, but imagine him, plus Carrie, plus the guitar work of John Platania...Magic's the only word to describe that kind of evening.

Posted by darlin at 12:19 AM

August 11, 2006

Todd Snider @ the Troubadour: August 10, 2006

If James McMurtry and Lyle Lovett had a baby, it would be Todd Snider, whose latest CD The Devil You Know was released earlier this week. In support of its release, Todd made a rare LA appearance, which included a showing on NBC's The Tonight Show with Jay Leno Wednesday night. Although Todd sometimes struggled with some of his new lyrics at his Troubadour show, his self-deprecation made it forgiveable ("Let me play some stuff that I know now"). Todd has political views comparable to James McMurtry, but shares Lyle Lovett's dry sense of humor. In one statement, he'll have you rolling on the floor laughing, but also left thinking about his point ("People who are afraid of gay marriage have nothin' else to be scared of" - also check out his song "The Ballad of the Kingsman.") At SXSW earlier this year, one of the panelists on the "10 Things You Can Do to Change the World" said, "The difference between art and craft is politics." Todd Snider well exceeds this definition of art, while at the same time being extraordinarily entertaining.

Posted by darlin at 8:48 AM

August 3, 2006

Happy Days Are Here Again

We all know that no one could ever compare to the cast of the original television show "Happy Days," and it would be grossly unfair to even dream of doing so. Having said that, props go out to the cast of "Happy Days: A Family Musical" that's playing at the Falcon Theatre in Burbank for the next week and a half. This was my first visit to Garry Marshall's tiny heatre which seats fewer than 150 people, and its intimate setting makes for a really great place to see a show. Andy Karl has replaced Joey McIntyre (yes, the Joey McIntyre of the-band-that-we-shall-not-speak-of, New Kids on the Block) for the final three weeks of the show, and we were pleased with the choice, because not only could we avoid NKOTB flashbacks, but also 'cause we thought Andy was cuter. Christine Lakin (who played "Al" on "Step by Step") doesn't look like she's aged a bit, which made her very convincing as the-all-too-anxious-to-grow-up Joanie Cunningham. Cynthia Ferrer as Marion Cunningham and Anna A. White as Lori Beth Allen led a delightful tap dance routine in the second act, and Fred Applegate as Howard Cunningham was the spitting image of Tom Bosley. Jackie Seiden sometimes came across as too sticky-sweet to be Pinky Tuscadero, but Jaclyn Miller and Philip Lightstone were out-of-this-world hilarious in their multiple roles, most notably the nerdy Hillary and Bag, respectively. However, the show was completely stolen by Ryan Matthew, who played Ralph Malph to PERFECTION. If it's been far too long since you've seen live theatre, this is the show to get you going again!

Posted by darlin at 8:46 AM