AmericanaramA

This past week Mike and myself had the wonderful opportunity to see some incredible live music.  For essentially my entire life I have cherished concerts as an absolute favorite past time, hence the whole musician thing, but that is beside the matter at hand.  Anywho, the two shows we had the grand privilege to experience were the AmericanaramA tour at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre in Irvine and Phish at the legendary Hollywood Bowl.

So, the AmericanaramA tour featured a stellar line up of Americana styled artists spanning several periods of great American music from the 1960’s to modern time.  The particular focus of this tour was to showcase American music of different styles and eras, and to provide a stage for the various artists to collaborate on.  Headliner Bob Dylan ultimately provided the springboard for this extravaganza as without him, the subsequent artists would arguably not exist.  The supporting cast was composed of early 90’s alt rockers Wilco, the late 90’s and modern alternative rock group My Morning Jacket, and contemporary roots rock, singer-songwriter Ryan Bingham.

Ryan Bingham ended up being a delightful surprise as I was not previously familiar with his music, other than knowing he had written songs for the movie Crazy Heart (which is fantastic btw).  Bingham’s country tinged rock was quite a proper kick off for the day’s music.  His soulful, growling voice was an apt precursor to Dylan and his band was on point with beautiful fiddle and pedal steel guitar playing.

My Morning Jacket followed with an energetic set that I would deem my favorite of the show; no one brings the ruckus like MMJ.  Jim James and company slayed the Irvine crowd with several funky jams and then proceeded to get tender with Taylor Goldsmith of Dawes on the subdued number “Wonderful”.  The next tune brought the show to epic heights as Jackson Browne joined for a rendition of his gorgeous song "Late For The Sky".  After jamming a few more tunes Ryan Bingham then joined for a blazing version of "Don't Do It" a la The Band.  

There are few bands I could choose to follow MMJ and one of those happens to be Wilco.  I have now seen Wilco several times and I can say without a doubt that they are simply the best live musical act for your money (maybe aside from Radiohead).  Though a more intimate venue would have been preferable, Wilco nevertheless gave a truly fantastic performance.  The highlights include the very unlikely collaboration with Nancy Sinatra (!) on "Bang Bang (He Shot Me Down)" and "These Boots Were Made For Walkin'" and a beautiful rendition of the location-appropriate song "California Stars" with Jackson Browne and several others in collaboration.  Of course Nels Cline had his moment to shine on the guitar driven "Impossible Germany", Ryan Bingham's fiddle player Richard Bowden played a beautiful solo on "Forget The Flowers", we were treated to a tasteful version of the artsy "I Am Trying To Break Your Heart", and we got to witness Jeff Tweedy fumble the lyrics to "Heavy Metal Drummer" which he acknowledged in his typical dry manner.  The brilliant set was closed with a cover of Neil Young's "Cinnamon Girl" with a loaded stage of "My Morning Jackets", as the droll Tweedy referred to them.  

Now, as for Bob Dylan.  Here is where I must apologize, for I left early.  Don't get me wrong, I love Dylan just as much as the next person.  First off, have you seen his live show in recent years?  Well, I have a couple times.  It's not that it is disappointing, it just leaves something to be desired.  He simply is not the same Dylan that brought us Highway 61 Revisited or even Blood On The Tracks.  But that is also why I respect him, he is a fiercely uncompromising artist.  One might say, "He just don't give a fuck."  And truly he does not.  In the words of Samuel L. Jackson, he is a "bad motherfucker".  He plays his tunes in whatever style or key that suits his fancy, contorting them into concoctions that barely resemble the original recordings.  And for that, I take my hat off to him.  He has got balls that guy.  Anywho, I do regret leaving for I missed the night's most heralded collaboration in the performance of "The Weight" with Tweedy, James, and Bingham.  But alas, that is my own damn fault.

You can read another review of the show here: bit.ly/14q1pmm

I fear I have gone on too long as I am all too capable of doing in regards to elaborating about music.  Thus, I will save my thoughts on Phish at The Hollywood Bowl for a follow up blog and indirectly spare those of you who may dislike said group and would prefer not to subject yourself to such ramblings.  Consider yourself warned...

Til next time,

Ty