Lyle Lovett and his Large Band at Fiddler's Green in Englewood, CO on 7/15/16.

This show was the 20th time I have seen Lyle Lovett.  His music has been the sound track to my life for nearly thirty years.  Lovett's songs are some of the most beautiful, dark, romantic, and funny ever written.  His live shows are a mixture of almost every musical genre with some of the most talented musicians on the planet.

Lyle Lovett and His Large Band (It's not Big It's large)

Opener Emmylou Harris cancelled her performance due to illness.  It was disappointing because I was hoping her and Lovett would perform together.  She sung on Pontiac one of my favorite Lyle Lovett albums. But this meant more Lyle so who can complain.

The Large Band started the evening with the big band inspired The Blues Walk.  After that big booming swing song, Lyle Lovett entered the stage with his long time backing vocalist Francine Reed and Denver's own Free to Worship Choir.  They performed the traditional gospel hymn I'm a Solider in the Army of the Lord, the very non-traditional Lovett penned Church, followed by the standard I Will Rise Up.  It was powerful enough to give this non-believer some faith.

Lovett paid tribute to recently departed singer-song writer Guy Clark by performing Clark's Step Inside This House.   Lovett joked that his violin player Luke Bulla had the privilege to write a song with Clark and Lovett only got the privilege to ride a bus with him.  After the story, Luke Bulla performed his Clark co-written song Temperance Reel.  

Sunset with Lyle (photos by the Rock and Roll Princess)

Another highlight was the 1929 Albert E. Brumley hymn, I'll Fly Away.  Lyle Lovett and Emmylou Harris performed the song together in 1996 for the Kennedy Center Honors for Johnny Cash.  I guess this was when Harris normally joins the band during the tour.  The performance was moving despite her absence.

Lovett introduced The Large Band members between performing the hits If I had a Boat, She's No Lady, and Bears. He explained that saxophone player Brad Leall is a professor at University of North Texas during the school year and plays in the band on his summer vacation.   Lovett also conducted a comical interrogation with cello player John Hagen who only gave one-word answers about his childhood in Casper, Wyoming.  Hagen left as soon as he graduated from high school and went to college at the University of Texas where he met Lovett more than 30 years ago.

Lyle Lovett

Lovett expressed his gratitude to the audience stating, he was "thankful to perform in such a nice venue surrounded by these big buildings."  This was his understated way to express he missed playing Red Rocks Amphitheatre. The crowd started to chant "Red Rocks."  Lovett quieted them by asking them not to behave like a presidential debate.

Denver's own Free to Worship Choir

The Free to Worship Choir came back for the closing hymn Pass Me Not.  Almost everyone in the band took turns singing a verse making them all smile.  It was fitting because everyone in the crowd had a smile on their face as they left the venue surrounded by big buildings.

See you at the next show.  I will be the one wondering if Emmylou Harris is feeling better.

Pedal, PWR BTTM, and Pity Sex at Lost Lake Lounge in Denver, CO on 7/7/16

Searching for some escape from the recent dark events, I found solace by attending a Pity Sex, PWR BTTM, and Petal show at Lost Lake Lounge.

I usually stick out as the Old Guy at the Show.  But in a room full of PWR BTTM fans I stuck out more than usual.  The young crowd was in all forms of non-gender stereotype dress (meaning a lot of guys wearing dresses).  Glitter was all around in tribute to the queer punk duo of PWR BTTM.

Petal

Starting out the show was Petal a vehicle for Kiley Lotz from Scranton, Pennsylvania.  She has a revolving number of musicians that come in and out of her band.  Lotz started with a ballad that shined a light on her sweet lofty voice.  Lotz told the crowd she has been crying throughout the day as a reaction to the tragedies of the week.  She tried to lift the mood and went into a grudge guitar frenzy that made the audience smile.  They played a cover of Prince's When You Were Mine.  I was wondering if the young crowd ever heard of the song because it was a hit back in 1980.  Even if the young glittery crowd didn't recognize the tune her version was moving.  You really can't go wrong with a Prince song unless it's Raspberry Beret "you know like the one you find in a second hand store."  Petal ended their set with Sooner with wailing guitar wizardry by Ben Walsh.  The song is heart-breaking with "perpetual ache" repeated in her haunting voice.

PWR BTTM

Next was PWR BTTM.  Back in April, the band opened for Ra Ra Riot (you can find the write up for that show in the vast archives of this blog).  The band has changed in only a few months.  They have their own instruments (last time they shared a guitar), a fancy new effects board (they are still learning to use), and a heterosexual base player (sporting glitter to match the esthetics of the band).  The audience was clearly there to see them.  They laughed at every joke, danced to the rhythms, and sang along to almost every song.  If there is some kind of non-gender moment happening, PWR BTTM is leading the way.

Ben Hokins started the show by stating that they perform safe spaces shows.  "We like to rock, but don't violate each other spaces."  Translation - No moshing.  Finally a band that is attempting to end the insanity of being body slammed.

Having a bad hair day, Ben Hopkins wearing a summer dress with some kind of plastic fringe, asked for a hat. The audience gave him a vast array of choices.  Hopkins picked one with a tree and commented to the guy that gave it to him, "girl you have a small head."  The mic shocked Hopkins every time he got close to it because of his metallic make-up.  Fearful of being electrocuted, he requested a sock from the crowd. A wide range of hosiery was presented to him.  Hopkins placed one of the socks on the mic and the shocking discontinued.

When Liv Bruce, wearing a half shirt and cut off shorts, took over lead vocals things got a little bit weirder.  During his song Dairy Queen a girl in the front row acted out the lyrics.  The song is about being in a shower.  So the super fan slipped on a shower cap and acted like she was taking a shower to the delight of the band.

PWR BTTM and Kiley Lotz

Introduced as someone who can really sing, Kiley Lotz, now sporting matching PWR BTTM glittery make-up, was brought back to the stage.  She joined the band for a cover of Counting Crows' Mr. Jones.  Again I wondered if the young crowd knew the song because it was released 23 years ago.

Hopkins described writing songs in his parents' basement while drinking wine from a coffee mug realizing he was like Bill Murray without the talent.  Leading into I Wanna Boi.  The crowd cheered when he sang, "I Want a boy that thinks it's sexy when my lipstick bleeds."  When PWR BTTM left the stage, many of their energetic fans followed them and didn't return for the headliner.

Pity Sex

With the difficult task of going after a comedy queer punk show, Ann Arbor, Michigan emo band Pity Sex ended the night (insert your own joke here).  The lighting changed to a dark dim blue and the slow lo-fi music began.  Britty Drake (smooth pleasant voice) and Bennan Graves (muffled and distorted voice) exchange lyrics throughout the set.  But Drake is clearly the leader of the band.  Similar to Kiley Lotz, Drake expressed her sadness of the tragedies of week stating, "that she is going to bring everyone down."  After a Black Lives Matter speech, they continued to play a slow emo set.

PWR BTTM stated they would be back before the end of the year.  Hopefully they will be headlining bringing fun and light into a world filled with too much darkness.

See you at the next show.  I will be the one not leaving before Pity Sex.

Blues Traveler, Thompson Square, Uncle Kracker, Sam Palladio, Oteil Burbridgeat, and Eric Krasno at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison, CO on 7/4/16

 Blues Traveler has played Red Rocks Amphitheatre on the 4th of July for more than two decades.  I have attended a number of the shows including their first appearance at the venue opening for The Allman Brothers Band in 1992 (remember I am the Old Guy at the show).  The band seemed just as excited to be there as the rain soaked fans.  They expressed their appreciation by tossing out gifts into the audience.  A number of harmonicas were thrown into the crowd, a guitar was handed to a young blonde woman in the front row, and I caught one of John Popper's signature Stetson black hats.  I guess it pays off to wait in line for hours for a good seat.  It also pays off to be a good-looking blonde chick.  Apparently, that gets you a guitar.

John Popper of Blues Traveler

Singer and harmonica player extraordinaire John Popper started Blues Traveler in Princeton, New Jersey in 1987.  I describe them as a jam band with good songs.  Surviving the 90's jam band explosion, death of their bass player, and a number of Popper's medical issues, the band is still vital and relevant.  My favorite performances of the night were the ballads The Mountains Win Again with Popper's strong voice making the hair stick up on the back of my neck. Also, Cara Let the Moon with Popper's powerful voice accompanied by keyboard player Ben Wilson bouncing off the surounding rocks.

The set list had a number of their hits such as Run-Around, Hook, and But Anyway sprinkled in with some cleaver covers such as Radio Head's Creep and Sublime's What I Got.  Of course, John Popper played an amazing version of The Star Spangled Banner on the harmonica because it was the 4th of July after all.

Blues Traveler all photos by the Rock and Roll Princess

They had a number of guests join them.  Oteil Burbridge a jam band base player super-star who has performed with The Derek Trucks Band, Trey Anastasio, and The Allman Brothers Band came out and had a base-off with bassist Tad Kinchla. It was the finest base-off I have ever seen (it was the only base off I have ever seen).   Soulive guitarist Eric Krasno came out to play on Father John during their encore. All three openers also took turns performing with the band.

Thompson Square

Thompson Square, a Nashville pop country duo, joined the band to perform I Still Can Feel You and Matador (songs they recorded with Blues Traveler on last year's Blow up the Moon album).  It was a highlight for me because that's when John Popper threw me his hat.

Thompson Square was one of three openers for the night.  The husband and wife duo appeared grateful for the opportunity to play the historic venue.  They introduced themselves to the jam-band crowd very aware that the majority of the crowd didn't know who they were.  They have multiple top ten country radio hits such as Are You Going to Kiss Me or Not.  Shawna Thompson gave a passionate performance in tight leather pants despite having a baby boy in the beginning of the year.  Keifer Thompson sneaked in some Nirvana's Smell's Like Teen Spirit into their set list to appease the crowd.

Uncle Kracker

Looking like someone they randomly picked out of the crowd, Uncle Kracker was the middle act.  Since Mathew Shafer aka Uncle Kracker started out as Kid Rock's turntablist, it was fitting he began his set with Kid Rock's All Summer Long (which is really Lynyrd Skynyrd's Sweet Home Alabama).  Shafer, quickly went through his hits.  Follow Me was the song, the crowd recognized.  The people around me didn't know whom he was until that song started.  Later Uncle Kracker joined Blues Traveler on stage to perform Sublime's What I Got.

Sam Palladio

Opening up the show was Sam Palladio.  Despite the fact he is a Country singer from England performing on the holiday that celebrates our independence from his native land, he was actually pretty good.  He has a recurring role as Gunner on the drama series Nashville.  If you don't know that show (I don't know the show), you probably haven't heard of him.  The few in the crowd that follow the show were delighted to see the handsome brit.  When he played the song Fade into You from the Nashville series, the crowd started to pay attention.  He won the crowd over when he performed an Incubus song.  I would tell you the song, but I know as much about Incubus than I do about the Nashville series.

Blues Traveler made the crowd feel like they were joining a party instead of watching a show.  The way all the opening bands and the special guests just dropped by was part of the festive atmosphere the band created.  It's no wonder this party has been going on for so long.

See you at the next show.  I will be the guy wearing John Popper's hat.

Old 97's and Strange Americans at the Bluebird Theater in Denver, CO on 6/5/16

Sunday night had numerous options in the Denver Metro Area for live music. There was The Cure at Fiddler's Green.  I couldn't attend because of my strict no black clothing in the summer policy.  There was Bare Naked Ladies at Red Rocks.  I couldn't go because lead singer Steven Page was kicked out of the band in 2008.   I choose to see Old 97's at the Bluebird because of their influence over the alt-country movement, legendary live shows, and.... free tickets.  Thank you Rockmount Western Wear for your contribution to my musical endeavors.

Old 97's (all photos by the Rock and Roll Princess)

Old 97's were named after a Johnny Cash song entitled Wreck of the Old 97.  The Dallas based band were pioneers of the alt-country movement in the mid 1990's. Their songs titled Stoned, Let's Get Drunk & Get It On, and Most Messed Up describe their sound better than I can.

The four piece band took the stage to Herb Albert & The Tijuana Brass' A Taste of Honey.  If you don't know the song, look for the record Whipped Cream & Other Delights in your parents record cabinet (it's the one with the naked girl covered in whipped cream).  When the background song faded, the roll coaster fast paced guitar driven night began.

Rhett Miller

Rhett Miller lead the band with his Elvis hip moves, a mostly unbuttoned shirt, and 360 degree guitar strumming. When he sang Dance with Me, a couple near the front did just that with some fancy twirls.  The audience bounced to the music while some fans sang along to every word to every song.   Fighting off "feeling like he was going to vomit" lead guitarist Ken Bethea mostly stayed to the side of the stage unless he was called upon to shred.   Philip Peeples, the greatest drummer alive according to the bass player, kept the music driving along like a freight train throughout the night.

Bass player Murray Hammond not only provided excellent back group vocals, he sang lead on a few songs dressed in a fine looking signature Rockmount Western Wear Shirt. Did I mention that they generously gave me tickets to the show?   When he sang the bittersweet Valentine with the lyrics "it's a lonely, lonely feelin' when your valentine was wrong." You could feel the heartbreak.

Rhett Miller, Philip Peeples, and Murray Hammond

Miller stated that "all songs are like your children, but some need to be droped off in the wilderness because you are sick of them." That was his introduction to Nineteen stating that they recently rescued it.  Rhett Miller granted the request of a fan he met before the show and played the romantic Question that has been featured in the television shows Scrubs, Ed, and Scorpion.  After ending the night with the ultra fast Time Bomb, they left the crowd in a frenzy. Two guys (older than I am ... and I am the old guy at the show) fought over the set list like teenage girls.  The security guy "guarding" the stage was too busy texting to notice.

Strange Americans

Denver's own Strange Americans were the opening band.  They impressed the audience with their self described "raw, a bit loud, unapologetic, and honest" roots rock.  Lead by trucker hat wearing Matt Hoffman, the bearded five piece played an enthusiastic tight set.  Trent Hoffman played lead guitar and backing vocals.  Whenever a song hit it's peak, his left leg would magically stomp up and down like a puppy getting it's belly rubbed.  The highlight was their song Places II with the haunting lyrics "remember when we had nothing at all."  They will be performing at the Westword Music Festival at the end of the month if you want to see Trent's magical leg movements.

See you at the next show.  I'll be the one shamelessly mentioning Rockmount Western Wear that hopefully will be supplying me more free tickets, or a shirt, or some boots.

The Kills and L.A. Witch at the Ogden Theatre in Denver, CO on 5/27/16

I first discovered Alison Mosshart through Jack White's side project The Dead Weather.  She fronted the band by jolting around the stage making the audience entranced with her every move.  I was excited to see her perform with her main band.

The Kills

The Kills formed sixteen years ago in Europe when Alison Mosshart, a punk rocker from Florida, met Jamie Hince, a British rocker, while touring in separate bands. The two started a low-fi rock blues duo backed by a drum machine.  Five albums later, they have definitely perfected their sound.

Jamie Hince had a difficult time during the last few years.  He slammed a car door on his left hand resulting in numerous surgeries.  Hince lost use of one of his fingers forcing him to relearn the guitar.  He also had a very public separation with his super model wife Kate Moss (that's why I don't date super models).  Mosshart has recently moved to Nashville, Tennessee to create visual arts and possible be closer to a Mr. Jack White III.

The Kills photos by the Rock and Roll Princess

Friday night, the duo took the stage with  intensity and high energy.  Alison Mosshart appeared in tight Jim Morrison type leather pants with bleach blonde hair.  Jamie Hince was dressed as a proper Englishmen in a sweater and tie.  They started with No Wow from 2005 with it's building rhythm and dark sexual lyrics.  The rest of the set was heavy on new material from their upcoming album Ash & Ice.  New songs Doing It to Death and Siberian Nights seem to reflect Hince's recent struggles.  There was a healthy mix of older material sprinkled in to the delight of their die hard fans.

The Kills turning up the heat

Alison Mosshart danced, moving her hips, whipping her hair around all while singing with extreme sexuality.  Other female singers rely on skimpy outfits and outrages acts while Mosshart simply just performs oozing sex.  Her performance of the new song Hard Habit to Break made the temperature at the Ogden Theatre instantly rise.  They ended with Sour Cherry from 2008's Album Midnight Boom.  Mosshart repeated the chorus, "I am only the sour cherry on the fruit stand."  I am pretty sure the subject was not really produce related.

L.A. Witch

L.A. Witch was the opening band. The black lipstick trio played a vampire version of surf rock. Lead singer Sade Sanchez played an impressive guitar that was bigger than her.  Bass player Irita Pai dressed all in black with torn stockings providing a large dose of goth attitude.  Drummer Ellie English's crashing beats forced each song to break free of it's heavy reverb darkness. They ended their set by simply packing their instruments.  No good byes.  No waves to the crowd.  No thank you Denver.  It was odd.  But I was amused by their punk rock spirit.

See you at the next show.  I will be the one not wearing leather pants.

Mudcrutch and The Shelters at the Ogden Theatre in Denver, CO on 05/26/16.

It only took minutes for the show to sell out when it was announced that Tom Petty was getting the band back together. It's not the Heartbreakers. It's Mudcrutch. The band he was in forty-six years ago in Gainesville, Florida before making rock and roll history a few years later with the Heartbreakers.  After reuniting in 2008, Mudcrutch has gotten back together again for another album and a small club tour. The ones lucky enough to get tickets (or the ones that sold their first born to scalpers) got a chance to see a rock icon in the intimate setting of the 1,600 capacity Odgen Theatre.  Die hard fans (yes... I was one of them) waited in the rain for hours until the doors finally opened to get close to the stage.  Nobody seemed to mind feeling like wet dogs because we all knew we were going to witness something special.

Mudcrutch photo by the Rock and Roll Princess 

A bearded Tom Petty took the stage in his standard Tom Pettyish vest.  He quickly responded to the crowd shouting for Heartbreakers hits, "We are not going to be doing that tonight.  But we will try to give you everything you need."  With two albums of Mudcrutch songs and freedom not to sing the hits (free from playing Free Fallin'), he seemed thrilled.

Petty played bass instead of his usual Rickenbacker guitar just like he did with Mudcrutch originally.  He let other members sing lead on a few songs while sneaking drags off a constant burning cigarette siting on the drum riser.  But Petty was front and center for Mudcrutch's psychedelic bluegrass glory.

Mike Campbell and Tom Petty

Mudcrutch has Mike Campbell (also a member of the Heartbreakers) an under-rated guitar wizard who has played with the likes of Don Henley, George Harrison, and Bob Dylan.  He sang Victim of Circumstance with an astonishing guitar solo.  This made someone from the crowd yell out, "Oh my God, Mike can really sing."

 It's not often that you find a grand piano on the Ogden Theatre stage.  However, if your keyboard player is Benmont Tench (also a member of the Heartbreakers) you probably should have one.  Tench has become a in-demand studio musician who has recorded with everyone from Neil Diamond to U2.  He sang the lead on the hilarious Welcome to Hell with a boogy-woogy solo that was extended after Petty signaled for more.  This made Tench show a big smile that is usually hidden behind the piano and his fedora.

Tom Petty

Tom Leadon who later wrote songs for the Eagles and became a well known Nashville guitar teacher was the happiest one in the reformed band.  He wore a fancy western style shirt not letting any chance to be in the spot light slip away.  He sang the lead on The Other Side of the Mountain showing off his guitar skills while harmonizing with Petty on the chorus.  

Randall Marsh played the drums in a number of bands in Los Angeles, California after Mudcrutch disbanded.  Singing Beautiful World from his drum kit,  Marsh expressed his gratitude of the evening with the songs positive lyrics.

Mudcrutch photo by the Rock and Roll Princess

Herb Pedersen a Nashville legend (I know this because that's how Petty introduced him) looked like a slightly younger Wilford Brimley added to the group's sound with backing vocals and banjo picking.


Of course, Tom Petty brought it all together.  He sang the fourth song that he ever wrote entitled Save Your Water.  Petty stated, "The guys are letting me play this one that I dusted off after fifty years."  The best song of the night was Petty's I Forgive It All.  It described someone content with where they are in their life.  "I ain't broke and I ain't hungry."  Summing up the feeling the band must be having after getting together again after all of these years.

The Shelters

The Shelters from Los Angles, California were the opener.  Tom Petty co-produced their debut album after seeing them perform. Their song Rebel Heart sounds like it was influenced by either the Los Angles based band The Byrds or the other Los Angles based band Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers (I'll let you decide).  Their sound is a combination of pop, rock, and jam music that got the crowd nodding along.  They seemed grateful for the opportunity of a life time to open for Tom Petty's pre-heartbreakers band.

See you at the next show.  I will be the one wondering what a mudcrutch is.

Lucius and Happy Hollows at the Gothic Theatre in Englewood, CO on 05/14/16

Few performers have mystic qualities.  David Bowie was the man who fell to Earth and Lucius' beautifully blended harmonies are so extraordinary they don't seem to be from this world either.

After meeting at the Berklee School of Music, Jess Wolfe and Holly Laessig started singing together under the name Lucius. They were joined by guitarists Andrew Burri and Peter Lalish and drummer Dan Molad. They built up a loyal following with unison singing, well crafted songs, and retro fashions.

Lucius

Wolfe and Laessig came on stage at the Gothic dressed like futuristic flight attendants with matching capes. Their hair was shaved on the sides and piled up on top in a pompadour cross bun. The gentlemen in the band wore complimentary blue suites minus the capes.  Wolfe and Laessig not only lead the band with their beautiful harmonies, but played the keyboards and drums to build up the intensity of their pop infused folk.

Things slowed down when Wolfe and Laessig broke away from the keyboards and shared a mic to sing Dusty Roads. The song highlights their amazing vocals and comes to a peak when they sing acapella.

Another highlight was their performance of Gone Insane which conveyed the feeling of.... wait for it....insanity.  They sang to a crescendo while almost screaming. The song has hints of Florence and the Machine and Kate Bush.  However, it is very much their own.

Holly Laessig and Jess Wolfe

Jess Wolfe and Holly Laessig left the stage for a moment to reappear in the middle of the crowd wearing futuristic gold ponchos.  They got the crowd to start jumping along with them while singing and circling each other.

They eventually made their way back to the stage to perform Elvis Presley's Can't Help Falling in Love.  The crowd was so overwhelmed that they gave each other a massive group hug.  Never underestimate the power of the King.

Lucius ended with the high energy and percussion heavy (we need more cowbell) Genevieve. 

Happy Hollows

Happy Hollows from Los Angeles, California opened the show with their own brand of quirk indy pop.  The enthusiasm of lead singer Sarah Negahdari was extremely infectious.  Their songs were catchy and Negahdari's interpretive dance moves made them instantly likeable.  She stated how much of an honor it was to open up for the aliens.... I mean Lucius.

See you at the next show.  I will be the one not wearing a cape.