Been a busy, busy year. I didn’t get every show reviewed, but I did get a number of the highlights.
In an effort to wipe the slate clean, here’s a list and a word or two about each one. And, a hope that I can keep up better in 2013!
January:
Kool and the Gang – PCMA – reviewed
Joe Bonamassa – Baked Potato – reviewed
February:
Frank Turner – SLO Brewery – reviewed
Estelle – Anthology – My niece is in her band, so I was there to have fun and relax.
Frank Turner – Slidebar – reviewed
Frank Turner – Fox Pomona – reviewed
April:
Springsteen – IZOD Center – reviewed
Springsteen – Madison Square Garden – reviewed
Springsteen – Sports Arena – reviewed
Springsteen – Sports Arena – reviewed
Coachella – Three days, four posts…and still didn’t cover it all. Interesting experience…but not sure I’d do it again. A few good bands stick out in my mind. The Head and the Heart, Dawes, Pulp, Bon Iver, M83, Madness, Kasabian, Givers. And others….like Radiohead really didn’t do much for me. Coupled with the hit-and-miss, the long walks and the heat. This will stay on my “glad I did it list”, but not my “I want to go again” list.
May:
Jackson Browne – Largo – Took a good friend to help give him a break and sadly we had to leave early to rush home for an ill family member. What I did see was personal and moving. The last song before the set break really sticks in my mind. A version of Leonard Cohen’s “Thousand Kisses Deep”. There’s a version on iTunes you can buy (not from this show, but live….I highly recommend it.)
June:
Head and the Heart – Observatory – reviewed
Beach Boys – Irvine Meadows – Took my nephew and just hung out. They played a generous and overall fun show. Nothing to review though.
Spyro Gyra/Lee Rittenour – Hyatt Newporter – Seen both numerous times over the years…always fun and always the highest quality.
Dukes of September – Universal Amphitheater – Donald Fagen, Boz Scaggs and Michael McDonald….what else can I add to that line up. Great show, great fun.
July:
Howard Jones – Coach House – Doing two of his best albums complete. Human’s Lib and Dream into Action. I went on a whim, my sister passed away the day before I just needed some music. Not in any shape that night to review, but it was a good show.
August:
Weird Al – OC Fair – I was supposed to see another show at the Fair that missed due to my sister.
Delgado Brothers – Brea Street Fair – Good friends, good music, but not really a show to review…just one to enjoy.
September:
Jack’s Show – Irvine Meadows – Joe Walsh, Pat Benatar, Toto, Mc Hammer, Gin Blossoms and Missing Persons. Pretty cool show with friends. The only real miss was MC Hammer, late and not a very good show. Everyone else was fun. The Gin Blossoms, Toto and Benatar all totally killed it. Jow Walsh was a little self indulgent, as was Missing Persons.
Frank Turner – HOB Anaheim – reviewed
Estelle – Greek Theatre – Another trip to see my talented niece perform with Estelle….however LA traffic limited us to the last two songs…We didn’t stay to watch Anthony Hamilton headline…
October:
Elvis Costello – Irvine Barkley – reviewed
Head and the Heart – Wiltern – My third time seeing them this year….and of the same quality as the two shows I’d reviewed.
Joe Jackson – Orpheum – Doing mostly Duke Ellington from his new album, it was a very good and crowd pleasing show.
November:
Counting Crows – Grove of Anaheim – Wish I’d reviewed them…a great show, really a surprise how good they were live. Loved it.
(I was supposed to see Steve Windwood at the Greek and I was so sick that I had to pass…disappointing.)
December:
Graham Parker and the Rumor – Wilbur Theatre – reviewed
Graham Parket and the Rumor/Lindsey Buckingham/Ryan Adams – Roxy – reviewed
Delgado Brothers – Harvelle’s – New Years Eve show tomorrow night!
Glastonbury & Beyond 