The Same Acoustic Evening with Los Lobos

After hearing the amazing Leo Kottke open, we could hardly wait for Los Lobos.  Everyone I talked to told me that we would be blown away by the band.

We weren't.

At least not at first.  Don't get me wrong.  Individually, the members of Los Lobos are all jaw-droppers.  I mean... who wouldn't love David Hidalgo???  Really!  Guitar? Voice?  I'm a fan - for life!

Cesar Rosas was missing due to a family emergency.  Although I've never seen them before in concert, I'm sure that Cesar was greatly missed!  The audience shouted several requests for songs that Los Lobos couldn't play because Cesar was the lead singer on those songs. 

And Steve Rubin???  The man of many instruments.  We were close enough to FEEL the vibration from that baritone sax!  Fantastic! 

Maybe it was because the set was acoustic (which is usually my favorite) - maybe it was because Cesar Rosas wasn't there - maybe I was just "off" - but I was not blown away most of the evening. 

I looked behind me and saw 2 women in one row nodding their heads to the music and smiling - no one else in that row was moving.  Behind those women, a man appeared to be sleeping.  And yes, I know the difference between "feeling" the music with your eyes closed - and sleeping.  Usually "feeling the music" is not done with your head back and your mouth open.  (Just my opinion.)

There was some chair dancing in the crowd, but not much.  At one point David promised to play some songs so that people could dance.  A couple in the row opposite me got up and headed toward the wall to dance.  (You know about wall dancers, right?  The people who just can't sit still and get chased over by the wall so that they don't get in anyone's way.)  I LOVE the wall dancers - as long as they are wall dancers and not "stand-in-front-of-me" dancers!  If I could be one... I would!

So anyway... Great!  But the next 3 songs were undanceable (yes, that's a new word), so the couple went back to their seats. 

About the time I was wondering when it would be over, Los Lobos broke out the electric guitars and the place started to rock.  You could feel the crowd come alive for the last 3 songs.  It was at that point that I totally understood why people love Los Lobos and why the Keswick was sold out!

And why... the next time Los Lobos is in town, I'll be there!

Set List...

Concert at the Keswick ~ Duets

One of the best!  We saw David Bromberg and Jorma Kaukonen (with Barry Mitterhoff) in one of the best concerts I've seen in a long time!

Of course we were almost blinded by all the mother-of-pearl on those two Martin guitars!  Beeeaaaautiful!  I never thought I'd see Jorma play a Martin, though. I'm so used to him with a Gibson.  I mean... if he's not using that Gibson and he'd like to give to me... well... I'd be glad to take it off his hands.  I'm selfless that way.

I love David Bromberg with his Big Band - and I love David Bromberg with the Angel Band - AND I love David Bromberg with Jorma (and Barry), but I love David Bromberg best when it's just David and  his guitar.

Jorma and Barry started the first set and then David came out and joined them. (I think they're taking turns opening each night).  David started the second set solo and it was fantastic!  I don't think I've seen David in concert alone before, but you can bet that I'll be there if it ever happens again!

With Jorma AND David, it was a night of pure guitar picking heaven, but the crowd belonged to David Bromberg.  Every song was an audience sing-along.

There are times when David is playing and singing - and he stops singing for several words.  You can tell that he hears the missing words coming from the guitar. And so could we. 

I think we have a few pictures.  I'll go through them and find a couple to post here.  Maybe Michael will add his two cents' worth also. 

Words and Music by Tracy Chapman

If you knew that you would die today
Saw the face of God and love
Would you change
Would you change
~Tracy Chapman~

So! Guess who WE saw last night????


We bought the tickets a lonnnnnnnng time ago. When we saw that they were available, we HAD to buy them! I mean... well... it IS Tracy Chapman. She had never been to the Keswick before (that I know of) so we decided that we should go. One of our better decisions!!!!

What a great show! It was sold out (of course) and the crowd was amazing - appreciative - enthusiastic - all the things you would want an audience to be. And as you can see by the pictures, we had GREAT seats!


Like guitars? You would have been happy at this show! Ms. Chapman played 8 (count 'em... 8) guitars during the show -
3 Martins
2 Paul Reed Smiths
1 Fender Telecaster
1 vintage Vega guitar that Michael said he thought was from the 50's
AND 1 guitar that we definitely recognized as "her" sound, but that we couldn't identify. Any ideas anyone?


She also played a wooden box and a scrub board, and although it seems she DOES collect guitars, I doubt if she has a wooden box and scrub board collection. You never know, though. She might! Add to that list, a harmonica and a set of bongo-type drums.

At one point in her life, Ms. Chapman studied African rhythms - and we were the benefactors of that last night.


Tracy Chapman possesses a grace that is palpable - not something we've seen very often. It's the same kind of grace and humility that we found when we saw Richie Havens. Quite a presence!


It was a wonderful night! I'm a fan for life!!!

1 - 2 - 3 Marlenas

Great concert last night at the Keswick! Augustana opened for The Wallflowers.

We weren't familiar with Augustana before last night, but when I sent my son a text message asking if he had heard of them, of course - Richard said that he has 2 of their CDs. (He also said "Oh crap!" because a meeting in New York kept him from being with us.) ;)

ANYWAY... they were fantastic! We were late (my fault) and I felt awful that we missed part of their set. They were soooo good! I'd LOVE to see them again! They're touring this summer with The Wallflowers and with the Counting Crows.


Taking pictures of Jakob Dylan is like trying to catch thunder. What an interesting man. There were no rules about pictures. We were all welcome to take them, BUT... there were almost no lights on the stage - no spotlight. The stage was VERY dark. (Michael did a great job with the pictures, considering the darkness of the stage.)

When Stuart (lead guitar) took solos, Jakob moved to the back of the stage, where he was almost invisible. He started every song facing the drummer, his back to the audience. Not a lot of ego there.


The musicianship was terrific, as always. Our seats were in the front row, on the left-hand side - directly in front of Stuart Mathis (perfect seats for Michael, who, being a guitar player himself, is always interested in technique). Stuart Mathis, with his long, thin fingers - (reminiscent of Pete Droge and just made for playing guitar) was mesmerizing as was Fred Eltringham on the drums. I could hardly take my eyes off of him. He drums with every part of his body. He truly becomes the music. Fascinating!


Below is the set list (yup... we were given a set list from the stage) for what it's worth. They did quite a few things that weren't on the set list. Jakob commented on the amazing sound at the Keswick and seemed to indulge himself (and us) with some things they hadn't planned.


Jakob Dylan reminds me more and more of his father. He doesn't look so much like him in profile, but he certainly does straight on. Michael thinks he acts very much like his dad, also.

It was our 2nd Wallflowers concert and I would certainly go again (and again - and again!)

The Duhks!

Oh yeah! Easter was wonderful but busy! We visited with 2 of my 3 sons and their families. Easter dinner at my middle son's house - sooooo good!!! And then - off to Philadelphia to World Cafe Live for a concert with The Duhks! Absolutely amazing!!!!

Michael was not enthused about going to see a band with 1 guitar, a banjo, drums, a fiddle and a vocalist, but WOW! The sound grabbed you from the first note. It DOES pay to hire a soundman! The Duhks are a young band from Winnipeg with music that is hard to put into a genre.

The harmonies were soooo tight and the musicianship was spectacular. One review described them this way: "Celtic fiddles, Irish reels, old-time banjo, gospel vocals, and Latin percussion forge a common spirit within the uncommonly vibrant fusion of the Duhks ". Add a little cajun music to that, and you almost have it!

Tania Elizabeth has to be one of, if not THE best violin/fiddle player we've ever seen. It was worth twice the price of the tickets just to see her! If you get a chance to see this band, don't pass it up! I'm still tapping my toes.