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Sunday, March 23 A Staggeringly Busy Week of Breathtaking Musical Genius
Even by Portland standards, the wealth of live offerings in the week ahead is rather mind-blowing. From all-the-rage upstarts to grizzled legends, much-adored locals to the internationally famous-- there's a bit of everything to be had. Still, it's not that difficult to pick a highlight, and for one reason: The Boss is coming to town. Bruce Springsteen and his E-Street Band hit the Rose Garden on Friday night and, assuming you can manage to fork over the big cash for the tickets, it should be quite a scene. The band is fresh off of the release of Magic just last year, their second effort in recent years after an extended hiatus. There's little more that can be said about this (unless you count the fact that this means Max Weinberg will be there, too)-- it's Springsteen and his band on tour exactly 35 years after the debut release, Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J.
Wait, there's so much more!
At the opposite end of the career spectrum is the Swede Jens Lekman, who returns to Portland tomorrow (Monday) night at Berbati's Pan. That's not to say he's new to the musician thing, however. His prolific rate of production is matched only by his self-depricating wit (and, perhaps, Ryan Adams), and he has scores of recordings and odds and ends to his credit. It was really just last year that "the people" finally "got it," however, with the release of his Night Falls Over Kortedala, and for good reason. It's a fine collection full of the stuff he's always been good for: namely, that aforementioned wit and self-deprication, as well as a knack for telling the kinds of stories that make Americans wonder, "Is that a true story? He's from Scandinavia, so I guess it could be, but....weird....."
MP3s: Jens Lekman- "The Opposite of Hallelujah" and "Black Cab"
On the new release side of things this week, for a change there's something coming out that we have nothing from which to preview. The Raconteurs (Jack White, Brendan Benson, and those other two dudes) announced just last week that they'd be releasing a new album this week. Thus, Consolers of the Lonely (which, let's hope, isn't as close to "Owner of a Lonely Heart" as it sounds) arrives Tuesday with no build-up, no reviews, no previews and, rarest of all, no leaks. Again.....weird....(but that's mostly just that Yes vid).
So much happening this week, we can't possibly list all of it here (we'll try to keep track for you as the week goes on, so check back often). But a few highlights we haven't mentioned yet: Bon Iver/Phosphorescent/White Hinterland at Holocene (Monday); Carbon Silicon/Matt Pond PA at Lola's Room (Monday); Vampire Weekend/Yacht at the Doug Fir Lounge (Tuesday); Nada Surf/Sea Wolf/ The Little Ones at the Crystal Ballroom (Wednesday); Jose Gonzalez/Mia Doi Todd at the Aladdin Theater (Friday); Bob Mould/Saturna at the Doug Fir Lounge (Friday); Jim White at Lola's Room (Saturday); and X at the Crystal Ballroom (Saturday).
This thread's an open one-- why not tell us all about the shows you're going to this week and why?
Comments:
On Sunday, March 23 at 9:49pm, gunky said:
OK, I have to say the Boss never did it for me. Saw him once too (here in Stumptown, many years ago) - his energy was good but the music has never grabbed me. I've had housemates from Philly and elsewhere who raved and tried to convert me, but it never took. I can respect his artistry, but ... meh.
On Sunday, March 23 at 9:58pm, jpetersen said:
Fair enough-- I used to feel the same way, more or less, and still feel that way about much of his output from, say, 1984-1995. I started with The Ghost of Tom Joad, which was so much different than the popular stuff that was EVERYWHERE in the 80's, then moved onto its earlier cousin, Nebraska. These albums at least convinced me to have more of an open mind about him. It grew from there....The Seeger Sessions two or three years back was one of favorites of the year, so I guess I'm still more partial to his rootsy stuff.
And no, I won't be shelling out hundreds to see the show.
On Sunday, March 23 at 10:04pm, gunky said:
I do need to hear the Seeger Sessions. That could be worth it. I try to have the open mind going, have heard a few good songs here and there, but just couldn't quite understand the raving over the years. But, no biggie.
"Hundreds"? Ouch.
On Sunday, March 23 at 10:13pm, clayton roy said:
Heya J,
Thanks for digging up some Stone Roses...reminds me of a great story involving yours truly. Newly relocated to PDX, I spent my first paycheck from pumping gas on E Burnside at the record store. Even though I didn't own a turntable I spent $6 on a GOLD vinyl copy extended version of Fools Gold. Let's just say it was a wise investment...the recent eBay sale paid for a plane ticket to Mexico..since I still didn't own a turntable anyways.
ciao,
Cr
On Sunday, March 23 at 10:19pm, bendlistener said:
Fantastic show last night, thanks. I hadn't heard "That's when I reach for my revolver" for decades but I've been hearing it in my head since you played it. Again, thanks for the excellent show.
On Sunday, March 23 at 11:04pm, jpetersen said:
Y'all are fast and furious tonight....
Hey Clayton, that's a great story. "Fools Gold" is like, entwined into your life story now. Maybe if can find my Tears for Fears "Shout" single I can make fare to California. Anyway, it's about time we got some Stone Roses on.
It's funny, bend, it suddenly feels dangerous to play that song these days. Probably more so than it would have back in '81. But yeah, that's an anthem. Glad you enjoyed it...