SXSW 2010: Chuck Prophet Plays Past Curfew at Momo's

Did you go to SXSW in 2010? To paraphrase Mark Twain, one of the coldest winter days I ever spent was March 19 in Austin. Day temperatures did reach the 60s F, but lows dipped into the 30s. And as I recall, it was raw and windy much of the day. With visions of sundrenched Austin days, I had not packed for the weather.

Chuck Prophet at Momo's, SXSW 2010 (Mike Barzacchini photo)

Things heated up when I arrived at the now departed Momo's on west 6th Street. After a sizzling set by Jon Dee Graham, Chuck Prophet and the Mission Express took the stage at around 1 a.m.

Usually, SXSW showcase sets are a brief 30 minutes. Maybe because they were on last that night, Prophet and band delivered a marathon set by SXSW standards.

Along with his own great songs (Summertime Thing, You and Me Babe (Holding On), You Did (Bomp Shooby Dooby Bomp), Sonny Liston's Blues), he also paid tribute to Alex Chilton, who was scheduled to appear at SXSW on March 20 that year with Big Star. Unfortunately, he died on March 17.

Stephanie Finch, SXSW 2010 (Mike Barzacchini Photo)

Prophet is an exhilarating live performer and he  more than delivered that night while draining every ounce of rock and roll energy from his audience. I staggered back to my hotel, smiling and exhausted at nearly 2:30 a.m., happy in the knowledge that I'd just experienced a rock show I'd not soon forget.

Ben Caplan at Canadian Blast, SXSW 2015

Ben Caplan's set at Canadian Blast was one of the highlights of my SXSW 2015.  Incredible energy and stage presence. Outstanding songs. Left me wanting more.

Finally, I'll get my wish. Just purchased my tickets to see Caplan and the Casual Smokers, Wednesday, March 29 at SPACE in Evanston. Until then, I'm still grooving on the fumes of his 2015 SXSW performance.

Ben Caplan at SXSW 2015, Canadian Blast (Mike Barzacchini Photo)

Ben Caplan at SXSW 2015, Canadian Blast (Mike Barzacchini Photo)

Ben Caplan at SXSW 2015, Canadian Blast (Mike Barzacchini Photo)

Ben Caplan and the Casual Smokers, SXSW 2015

365 Days of Dylan, Day 37: One Too Many Mornings

365 Days of Dylan, Day 37: One Too Many Mornings from Bob Dylan's third album The Times They Are a-Changin' released in 1964. 

Like many of Dylan's songs, One Too Many Mornings had multiple lives, with various live and outtake versions released by Dylan, not to mention a slew of covers from Johnny Cash, Joan Baez, Jerry Jeff Walker, Dion and even the Association.

One Too Many Mornings, Lyrics.

The originally released version from The Times They are a-Changin'

Live from Hard Rain.

A live version from The Bootleg Series Vol. 4, Bob Dylan Live 1966.

A version from The Bootleg Series Vol. 11, The Basement Tapes.

Johnny Cash from Chimes of Freedom: The Songs of Bob Dylan.

Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash, One Too Many Mornings.

Johnny Cash and Waylon Jennings.

Joan Baez from Baez Sings Dylan.

The Highwaymen

Love this version by Jerry Jeff Walker

And Dion, live in 1971 at the Bitter End.

The Association cover Dylan? Why not. Everyone else did.

Support 365 Days of Dylan. I make a small commission from purchases made through the Amazon Associates links included in this post.

Dash Rip Rock at the Continental Club, Mojo's Mayhem 2016

Couldn't resist posting one more, this collage I put together for Instagram this morning. Such a great set of live music. Still zooming of its fumes.

You can follow me on Instagram at @mjbarz78 

Music. Food. Nature. And lots of dog photos.

Dash Rip Rock at SXSW: Best of 2016

I first saw Dash Rip Rock with my friend Kevin when the band opened for The Beat Farmers at Canal Street Tavern in Dayton, Ohio, July 1986. My adrenline surges and smile widens thinking about that show.

Dash Rip Rock, Mojo's Mayhem 2016 at the Continental Club. (Mike Barzacchini Photo)

It was amazing when Kevin and I had the chance to see the band again at SXSW 2016. I spoke briefly with Bill Davis after DRR's Saxon Pub showcase. He not only remembered the Canal Street show, but told us that after the concert, Dash Rip Rock and the Farmers went bowling at a local lane. That would have been something to witness.

DRR's Bill Davis with the Butter-Spray Slide (Mike Barzacchini Photo)

Bill Davis' Gator Guitar (Mike Barzacchini Photo)

Long live Dash Rip Rock. Long Live Rock and Roll. Which is kind of saying the same thing.

                

More photos on my SXSW 2016 Dash Rip Rock Gallery on Flickr.

Rip Rock Official Website.

I make a small commission for purchases made through the above Amazon Associates links.

Harts at SXSW: Best of 2016

Another great Aussie BBQ memory from SXSW 2016, Harts sending out sonic guitar riffs to a sunsoaked beer-blissed crowd.

Harts at SXSW 2016 Aussie BBQ (Mike Barzacchini Photo)

Harts official website.

View my Harts SXSW 2016 Gallery on Flickr.

Stonefield at SXSW: Best of 2016

Sorting through photos, notes and memories from some of my top live shows of 2016. When I'm in Austin for SXSW, I try to not miss the Aussie BBQ. The event introduces me to new bands and sounds and the overall vibe in Brush Square Park is festive and fun.

My Stonefield gallery from the Aussie BBQ at SXSW 2016.

One of my favorite 2016 Aussie BBQ bands was Stonefield, four sisters who play beat-heavy, guitar-driven psychedlic influenced rock and roll. The band tore through a blistering 30-minute set, thrilling a few faithful fans and quickly converting the rest of the crowd.  Stonefield's music has a great summer festival feel. Hope they make many return visits to the states.

     

I make a small commission for purchases made through the above Amazon Associates links.

River Whyless at SPACE in Evanston: Best of 2016

A great live-music memory from 2016 -- River Whyless at SPACE in Evanston in August. They opened the show with a stirring cover of Bob Dylan's "It Ain't Me Babe." The band's "We All the Light" is one of my favorite album's of 2016.

Check out upcoming shows at SPACE, one of the best live music venues in the Chicago area.



I make a small commission for purchases made through the above Amazon Associates link.

Who has more fun than Steve Poltz?

Steve Poltz at SPACE in Evanston, June 19, 2012

I don’t remember my Grandpa Fred. He died when I was young. Though I understand he had a saying, one my dad would repeat after I’d come home from a long night of misadventure and have to rise and shine the next morning:

“Who has more fun than you?”

It’s become a mantra question for me. One I routinely ask my wife, my son, other family members and friends as we continue on this messy adventure called life. Usually, I don’t get a verbal response. Depending on the circumstances, I may come away with a smile, grimace or groan.

Now, after almost 56 years of searching, I have my found the answer:

“Who has more fun than you?”

“Why Grandpa, that would have to be Steve Poltz.”

I first saw Steve perform a hyperkinetic set at the 2008 Guitartown/Conqueroo Kickoff Day Party. Immediately hooked, I learned that it was Steve’s tradition to play a zillion times during SXSW week. My SXSW experience ended that year during Mojo’s Mayhem where I witnessed Steve nearly get a haircut from the Continental Club’s venerable ceiling fan while surfing the crowd after a graceful stage dive.

I’ve been hooked on Steve Poltz, his music, humor and indomitable spirit since. I followed him around SXSW two more years and witnessed three original and captivating shows at SPACE in Evanston, Illinois. 

Me and Steve and Jonathan, SPACE in Evanston, Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Even better, through Steve’s Instagram feed, Facebook page, blog and other digital smoke signals, he lets me and all his fans in on his ongoing adventures, including weird signs, what’s for breakfast, freaky-cool socks, insta-songs, unique people met along the way and wholly original insights on culture and life.

So it was with great anticipation in 2015 that I started planning my SXSW adventure by trying to figure out all the bars, hotel lobbies and laundromats where Steve would perform that week.

That’s when I learned that Steve wouldn’t be coming to Austin in 2015. Instead, he’d be in Australia -- for more than a month! I figured SXSW must be cancelled. I mean you can’t hold the festival if the unofficial mayor is out of town.

Because of my selfishness (“Why can’t I see Steve perform in Austin?”), it was temporarily painful to follow Steve on social media that spring. But finally, I figured it out:

Why take over a town for a week when you can charm an entire continent for a month or more? See, Australia loves Steve too. They have for years. And in Australia, Steve has found a land vast enough for the enormous fun he radiates.

Have I missed him in Austin these past two years? Sure, but  here’s the best part: I may never make it to Australia, but through Steve’s messages in various Internet bottles, I’ve traveled along like I’m tucked in a secret side pocket in Smokey Joe’s guitar case, experiencing the people, food and places.

Steve wraps his latest Aussie takeover today with a performance at the Athenaeum Theatre in Melbourne. Up next he’ll sing the National Anthem on Thursday, April 21, at PETCO Park in San Diego before his beloved Padres take the field. 

Welcome back to the USA, Steve. Thanks for taking us along to Australia again this year. Hope to see you at SPACE in a few weeks.

And seriously, “Who has more fun than you?”

P.S: Steve, if you’re reading this, please let me know where I can buy my “El Poltzo for President” trucker hat. There’s at least one contested convention coming up and I need to represent.

P.P.S: If ya’ll haven’t bought Steve’s new CD, Folksinger, yet, I honestly don’t know what you’re waiting on. It’s loaded with heart-warming, -breaking, -persevering songs and a belly full of laughs, too.

My 2015 SXSW Must-See List

Of course, I won't see them all. And they'll be some not on the list that I will see along the way. With that disclaimer out of the way, here's my 2015 SXSW Music Must-See List. Who's missing from my list? Who will you see at SXSW 2015?

1	Count this Penny
1	The Family Crest
1	Irene Diaz
1	Madison Ward and the Mama Bear
1	Aisha Burns
1	Ben Caplan
1	Fantastic Negrito
1	Courtney Barnett
1	Soak
1	LuLuc
1	Amason
1	Family and Friends
1	Ruby Jane
1	Steve Gunn
1	Waxahatchee
1	Jorma Kaukonen
1	Ray Wylie Hubbard
1	Hypnotic Brass Ensemble
1	Jitterbug Vipers
1	The Lowest Pair
1	Del Barber
1	James McMurtry
1	Jon Dee Graham
1	Asleep at the Wheel
1	The Lowest Pair
1	JC Brooks and the Uptown Sound
1	Bill Kirchen
1	TV on the Radio
1	Jon Langford
1	The Zombies
1	Chuck Prophet
1	Giant Sand
1	Chip Taylor
1	Bill Carter
1	Prettiots
1	Wild Child
1	Grand Analog
1	Tuxedo
1	Whiskey Shivers
1	The Mastersons
1	Doug Seegers
1	Leon Bridges
2	Ibeyi
2	The Stray Birds
2	Kaleo
2	Charlie Belle
2	Baptiste Hamon
2	Kristin Diable
2	San Fermin
2	Lila Anne
2	Big Phony
2	Cleopatra Degher
2	Della Mae
2	Jesse Moore
2	L'Aupaire
2	San Tanveer Brothers
2	Skinny Lister
2	Pirate Canoe
2	American Aquarium
2	Delaney Davidson
2	Elsa Cross
2	Velvet Caravan
2	Strong Like a Horse
2	Laura Marling
2	Bobby Bare Jr.
2	Spoon
2	Jeff Austin
2	Heartless Bastards
2	Julianna Barwick
2	Call Me Lolla
3	Meg Mac
3	Austin Basham
3	Strawberry Runner
3	Oxford & Co.
3	Jukebox the Ghost
3	Summer Cannibals
3	Houndmouth
3	Alvvays
3	Hanne Kolsto
3	Emmy the Great
3	Wilson
3	The Dove and the Wolf
3	Humming House
3	The Last Bison
3	Magic Giant
3	Tom Brosseau
3	Vandaleez
3	Portugal, the Man
3	Twin Peaks
3	Waco Brothers
3	Robert Earl Keen
3	Freedom Fry
3	The War On Drugs

Sunday Morning Daylight Savings Time Playlist

Recently played on Radio Barz:

Steve Poltz – Rains
Nick Drake – WInter Is Gone
Smith Westerns – Be My Girl
PURO INSTINCT – I've Got Some Happiness
Wild Flag – Future Crimes - 11/13/10 (Portland)
Wild Flag "Romance" – Seattle Nov 12, 2010
Cream – Badge
Eddie Cochran – Twenty Flight Rock
Steve Poltz – Dreamhouse
Led Zeppelin – D'yer mak'er
Paul McCartney-Junior's Farm
White Room – Cream
Highway Star – Deep Purple
Janis Joplin – Mercedes Benz
Andrew Belle – Static Waves (feat. Katie Herzig)
Led Zeppelin – Babe I'm Gonna Leave You

5 X McMurtry

Going to see James McMurtry tonight at the Old Town School of Folk Music. Here are 5 tunes I hope he plays:

• Ruby and Carlos
• Choctaw Bingo
• Hurricane Party
• Just Us Kids
• Rachel's Song