Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews & Orleans Avenue

When: Friday, August 30, 2013
Where: Hyatt Regency, Newport Beach
Accompanied by: KJ
Genre: Jazz Rock

Set List: Unknown at the moment

Amazing. That's pretty much all I can say about this show. This kind of jazz is something I can get behind. It had all the energy of a kick ass rock concert mixed with funky jazz rhythm and horns. I don't know a lick about Jazz, but I sure as hell wouldn't mind finding out more about Mr. Troy Andrews. This kid has talent beyond words, but more than anything, he has character and charisma...and good looks. I've already scouted out the tour dates for the rest of the year and next. I truly hope to see this band again. And again.

Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue - Jazz à Vienne 2011

Steely Dan - Greatest Hits

When: Sunday, August 25, 2013
Where: Nokia Theater
Accompanied by: He Who Endures My Madness
Genre: Pop/Jazz/Rock

Set List: Blueport, Your Gold Teeth, Aja, Hey Nineteen, Show Biz Kids, Black Cow, Black Friday, Time Out of Mind, Daddy Don't Live in that New York City No More, Deacon Blues, Bodhisattva, Rikki Don't Lose That Number, Do It Again, I Want To (Do Everything For You), Josie, Peg, My Old School, Reelin' in the Years

Encore: Kid Charlemagne, Untouchables Theme

It feels just like yesterday that KJ and I were at The Greek Theater watching Steely Dan perform Aja night, but two years have already passed. Where does the time go? And the last time I was at Nokia Theater was about 5 months ago for THE most amazing night of my life - watching Rush get inducted into the Hall of Fame. But tonight, tonight was all about Steely Dan and an evening of their greatest hits. 

I believe I commented when I wrote about the 2011 show, that I didn't consider myself much of a Steely Dan fan. But seeing them live definitely changed my mind and helped me realize how much of their music I actually know (and enjoy). This night wasn't any different. It was yet another perfect evening of amazing live music with my better half.

For a great review, check out this Jazz Weekly Review

QOTSA - Happy Birthday to me!

When: Saturday, August 17, 2013
Where: Gibson Amphitheater, Los Angeles
Accompanied by: Katherine Knox
Genre: Bad Assery

Set List: My God is the Sun, You Think I Ain't Worth a dollar but I Feel Like a Millionaire, No One Knows, Burn the Witch, Monsters in the Parasol, Hangin' Tree, Kalopsia, Long Slow Goodbye, Like Clockwork, If I Had a Tail, Little Sister, Smooth Sailing, Make It Wit'chu, I Sat By the Ocean, Better Living Through Chemistry, Sick Sick Sick, Go With the Flow

Encore: The Vampyre of Time and Memory, I Appear Missing, A Song For the Dead

Queens of the Stone Age scheduled a show for August 17th...the same day as my birthday. Coincidence? I think not.

Best birthday ever!!  Turning 45 was celebrated with a truly magnificent weekend. Between friends visiting from out of town, a successful 10th Annual Beach Blanket Bingo Bonfire (birthday) Bonanza, and the creme de la creme, an evening with Josh, Troy, Joey, Michael and Dean (thank you, Kathryn!), I honestly could not have asked for a better birthday.

And as if this all wasn't enough, my friend, Tiffany, who was front and center for this show, held up a "Please Wish Tai happy Birthday" sign. It would be awesome to be able to say that her amazing efforts brought about a shout out of love from Josh, but no such luck. Regardless, knowing that the band saw the sign, read the sign and in the backs of their minds thought to themselves "it's Tai's birthday" helped make this birthday extra special.

Thanks to all my friends who made this weekend so absolutely perfect! After a certain age, some people avoid birthdays. I guess I'm the minority. I love getting older. I love being 45. I feel good for 45. I plan on making 45 my bitch. And with friends like this, and more shows on the horizon, this being "over the hill" thing is going to be one wild ride!!

Chris Shiflett & The Dead Peasants

When: Sunday, August  11, 2013

Where: Alex's Bar, Long Beach

Accompanied by: Solo, but hung out with Cosmo & Debbie, Lisa, Jen, Daryth, and Rebekah

Genre: Honky Tonk, Country

Set List: New album mixed in with the last album...lots of good stuff!

I think Chris has taken on the personal challenge of converting us rock purists into *cough cough* liking country music. I'm now past the point of just tolerating it and last night I actually found myself singing the words to more than one song. When did that happen?  I guess he's doing something right. And the rest of the band, the Dead Peasants, have a lot to do with it. The band as a whole just works. They sound good, they look good, and dammit, they are good. I still haven't popped the CD into the car stereo yet, but it's definitely a possibility. Someday.

Me & Chris at Alex's Bar, LBC
8/11/13

"Get Along" by Chris Shiflett & The Dead Peasants 

Hall & Oates

When: Thursday, August 8, 2013
Where: Pacific Amphitheater, OC Fairgrounds
Accompanied by: KJ
Genre: pop rock; soft rock

Set List: 

Hall and Oates (not their kiss) has long been on my list of bands I have always wanted to see.  You can't be in my age bracket and not know the words to at least one or two of their songs. In fact, the only songs that I didn't recognize were the ones fronted solely by Oates, who I'm guessing had to have had issues for being in the shadows of Hall. But I could be wrong. I was just a kid back then and a fan of the music. Anything beyond that was of no interest to me. 

It was evident the minute we got to our seats that i was not the only one who had happy memories of Hall & Oates...Pacific Amphitheater was sold out and beyond packed. Sure, the venue isn't huge, but still, we're talking 8500 seats sold out, and then some!  And while it only took about 90 minutes to get through 14 songs, it was the greatest 90 minute flashback ever.

The only downside of this evening were the number of people who thought they could sing the songs better than Darryl & John. Especially the guy seated behind us. But who was I to deny him his happiness. Fortunately, he left for enough beer runs and that made my dreams come true...oooh oooh ooh....