Bob Walkenhorst, June 14, 2006, The Record Bar

This show had a small crowd (is it summer vacation time?) and a mellow feel. Which didn't keep a couple of us from dancing to quite a few songs. :)

Opening song was... uh oh, I looked up the actual title from a snippet of the lyrics, and now I forgot. It's a Dylan song. Though I didn't know that when they were doing it. It's the one that goes "Tomorrow's the day my bride's gonna come". Okay, title is 'You Ain't Goin' Nowhere". Made famous by the Byrds. Not that I knew any of that till a few moments ago. Except that snippet of lyrics, which I wrote down. Yeah, I took notes. I wanted to make sure you all knew what you missed. :)

Bob commented that they always try to play a different first song each week, but he doesn't pay attention to what the 2nd, 3rd and such are, and for all he knows they are the same each week. Actually, he specified downloaders, saying maybe they are getting the same 2nd and 3rd song, but, I can't figure why he mentioned the downloaders in particular. Don't we in person get the same stuff? I guess I'm not following Bob's thinking. Once in a while that happens. Not often, but once in a while.

I quite enjoyed "Skin", and then we got a double dose of songs from the album Skin, with, "Eclipse Has Begun" right after it. Two great songs. And great to hear two songs from that album back to back.

"Life Can Turn", Bob (and Norm and Jeff) played it in such a way (feel, tempo) as to make me wanna dance, but it wasn't quite dancable. Or at least quite a challenge to dance to.

"Proof" was played for Faron's birthday. Which is actually today. And I don't know if that's how his name is spelled.

It was good to hear "Masters of War". Good song.

Jeff treated us to "15 miles", and then Norm left the stage and Jeff, with Bob playing with him, sang "Road Behind Me".

Then Jeff left the stage and we got a couple songs from Bob solo.

First was "Government Cheese", a birthday request from Ernie. And Ernie requested that Bob talk about the song, which he did. It was interesting hearing Bob comment on the song. And he also commented on that list of the 50 greatest conservative rock songs, and being on it, and he said if "Won’t Get Fooled Again" is number one, he's proud to be on the last. Or something like that. Exact wording not guaranteed. He also said it seemed more an anarchist list. I think that's what he said. If I got that wrong, someone who was there correct me.

Okay, what I recall of what Bob said about the song... he said it came from seeing, and I totally forget the word or phrase Bob used, but the impression left in my head was government housing, big ugly boxy apartment buildings. Anyway, Bob seeing what ever it was he saw, and seeing how people lived there, and the song wasn't meant to be a political statement, just a gut reaction. And he said, there's a down side to the welfare state, but not having welfare isn't the answer either. And he said, and this I wrote down so I know I'm quoting right, "Not that I have any answers, but I do have a guitar"; I like that.

As for the song, listening to Bob sing it yesterday, it's actually an okay song. Bob singing it now (or yesterday in particular), it just doesn't have that nastiness that, for me, the original seems to have. Though maybe that reaction to the original has a lot to do with what I bring to the song as a listener.

What was weird for me, listening to Bob talk about the song before playing it, is Bob was looking at Ernie while talking about the song, and Ernie was, not directly behind me, but close enough to that so that Bob was looking near to my direction. Given my own feelings for the song, that felt kinda weird. But it was okay. And I appreciated hearing what Bob had to say.

Okay, that was a lot of talk about one song.

Next up. Okay, so, back in February, at Knuckleheads, Bob and Norm and Jeff played a song that Bob had just written that morning, and Jeff and Norm had never heard.

Well, last night Bob (by himself) sang a song he'd written only 3 hours earlier and hadn't ever played. Like, he'd had it in his head, but not played it. It's called "Across the Silver Lake", and though lovely isn't a word I usually use, lovely is the right word for the song. It was inspired by the trip to Jeff's cabin. Or Jeff's wife's family's cabin. Or however that his.

Jeff shared about a friend having his ashes scattered (er, I think scattered as that seems to usually be what's done with ashes) up there, and Jeff was saying (putting his point as I understand it in my own words) that with this song, we, those listening, can understand the beauty, the specialness of that place. And Jeff was crying as he told that. He said it's okay, he cries often and his kids are used to it. Bob noted "Jeff's crying, and I'm smiling". Or maybe he said grinning. But I think smiling.

So, one of them said "Let's play something up". And Bob goes "George Jones".

That made me laugh a little. Yeah, the song they played, "The Race is On" is a good uppy song. In feel, not subject matter. A good cheery heartbreak song. :) Anyway, the thing is, though, the name "George Jones" makes me think sad depressing songs. Probably because the first song that comes to mind, thinking George Jones, for me is "He Stopped Loving Her Today". A beautiful song, but a definite downer. (Lyrics in case anyone's curious.) The next two George Jones songs that come to mind when I think of him are not quite so depressing, but still, far from uppers, "She Thinks I Still Care" (which Bob's done several times, and sings quite nicely), and "Who's Gonna Fill Their Shoes" (a really nice tribute to various country singers, some still alive who'd been around a while, some dead).

Athough, unlike those 3 songs that are the ones I think of when I think "George Jones", "The Race is On", which Bob and them played, is one George Jones co-wrote. But I know it from Sawyer Brown doing it. And now Bob and them doing it.

After that was "Any Old Wind That Blows". I was thinking while listening to that, Bob's turning into a country singer. Which ain't at all a bad thing. Though perhaps more, adding that to his repetoire of who he is as a performer.

After that was "Doomsville".

Later on, "Tupelo Honey". And the word to describe their performance of that song -- heaven. And some nice guitar on that song.

The last song of the evening was "Width of a Line".

Bob Walkenhorst at the Record Bar, 7 June 2006

(posted at the Rainmakers Message Board)

Opening song was "Like a Rolling Stone". Good song. Except I didn't recognize it till it got to lyrics I recognized. Bob sings it quite differently than Jimmy Nace and Bob and company play it quite differently than the Nace Brothers. Both versions good, but definitely different.

Last song, "The Other Side of the World".

In between, other good songs.

Lilli came to a show for the first time in a while and got mentioned by Bob... "Welcome back to the dance floor -- Lillli!" :)

Bob said he got a call from a radio station. They said they wanted the Rainmakers to reunite because someone is coming to Kansas City. Then Bob takes a break in telling the story. Letting us contemplate that. Someone said Mark Twain. Someone else pointed out that Mark Twain is dead. I said "That [Mark Twain coming to KC] would be worth a Rainmakers renunion". Except I don't think that was my wording. Something like that. Same point. But, anyway, short a resurrection from the dead of an esteemed Missouri author, I have to say, the idea of a Rainmakers renunion doesn't interest me. Though I would love to see Ruth Rich play some time. Anyway, so, Bob continues... Mancow is who will be coming to KC. Bob said, no, the Rainmakers won't be getting back together.

Deja vu... I was just reading my post from the March 29 show because that was the previous time they did "Like A Rolling Stone". That week, Bob breaks a string, Jeff and Norm sing John Prine's "Souvenirs" and then they all do John Prine's "Paradise". This week.., Bob breaks a string, Jeff and Norm sing "Souvenirs" and then they all do "Paradise". I'm listening to "Souvenirs" from the March 29 show right now.

Conversation from the March 29 show audible in the recording: (from the audience) "Whose song is that?"; "John Prine"; "Aw, man, I need to get all of his stuff then". :)

Which relates sorta to what was said after the two John Prine songs this week. No comments from the audience that I recall. But Jeff and Norm were promoting John Prine. Jeff said something like "If you don't like John Prine, what's wrong with you?". Or was is, "If you aren't a John Prine fan..."? Something like that. Norm said, well, maybe we (we because I'm including myself, Norm said "they") haven't been properly exposed yet. I forget his wording. Yup, that's me. I've a definite lack of familiarity with John Prine. Perhaps I should rectify that. Okay, visiting library catalog now.

You know, I have a Warren Zevon CD I haven't opened yet. I borrowed it from the library, listened, liked it enough to buy it, but, being as I'd already listened to it (quite a few times), I didn't open it up and listen to it when I got it. :)

Anyway, John Northern joined them on stage for some background vocals on a few songs, as well as singing "I Carry No One's Cross But My Own". And, a first, he did some background/harmony vocals on one of Jeff's songs.

Yes, cakes and balloons for Bob's and Dan's birthdays. Bob's last Thursday. Dan's was that night. The cake was really good. Well, the one I had anyway -- there were two. I'm sure they other was really good as well. Okay... I'll confess... for Bob's birthday, I drew him a cake. :) Much less messy than baking a cake. And easier to transport. But less tasty. But lasts longer. :) Chocolate icing. And I have no idea what flavor/color cake, because I didn't have to draw the inside. 8 candles. I figured if I drew 53 that might burn up the card (that I was drawing on). ;) Okay, kidding on that last bit. 53 candles was beyond my artistic abilities. :)

Good show. The lighting was very uneven. Made non flash photography interesting. Like, one photo I took, Bob is really majorly bright, John Northern just about right, and Norm nearly invisible. (Number 19 in the photo album linked above. I trimmed mostly invisible Norm out of it when posting it in the post above, 2nd picture.) I got some good photos though, and, like I said, one I particularly like. And I did take several with flash too.

Elders, Children for Peace in Ireland fundraiser (outside at McBride's), June 3, 2006

Last night was the benefit for Children for Peace in Ireland with the Elders headlining.

I only was there for the Elders. I didn't come earlier, just because I wasn't really in a hanging out mood. Plus I'd stayed up late the night before and had dishes to do before heading out to McBrides.

So, alas, I can't report on the whole event.

They had the parking lot in front of McBride's blocked off, and that's where the stage was. And the people. Well, those not drinking alcoholic beverages anyway. Those were restricted to inside McBrides or the padio. I'll admit to spending a few songs back in the padio. "Love of the Century" was a good song for drinking to. On the other hand when they started "Moore Street Girls" I quickly finished my Harp and headed back out closer to the stage.

But back to the begining. Of the Elders portion of the day, anyway.

The people who had brought their lawn chairs were set up in nice rows, with the first row a full four parking spots back from the stage. Well, after the first or second Elders song, Ian told everyone to move forward. They did. :)

My favorite moment, or moments maybe, of the concert, "Fire in the Hole", Steve and Brent. Like, there's that part, which I always love, where Brent plays this sweet little violin part, and then Steve comes roaring in on guitar, and then after he plays a bit Brent comes back in and Steve and Brent are both going at it, musically. For watching I particularly enjoyed the last bit of that section when they are both going at it. And then again near the end of the song both of them going at it. Good stuff. Wonderful.

One guy yelled out a request several times for "1848". Maybe his ancestors got here a year before Michael Bliss's? :) The Elders did play "1849". I think that was one of the last songs before the encore. The encore was "Devil's Tongue".

"Fire in the Hole" and "1849" are the only songs I recall them doing this week which they didn't do last Sunday.

And I still love "Right With the World". :)

Enter the Haggis with the Kelihans at the Record Bar, May 31, 2006

(posted on the Elders message board)

Wonderful. :)

The Kelihans opening, I enjoyed them. I always enjoy the Kelihans. And that's why I'm a Kelihans fan. Because I always enjoy them when I hear/see them live.

Enter the Haggis were awesome. Me like. I was too awed to dance much of the time. Brian, on fiddle, vocals, keyboards, accoustic guitar, got my attention. Hm... all those instruments... he could be Brent. Except I don't get to watch Brent play keyboards and guitar. And I don't think Brent could pull off the pierced eyebrow thing. :)

Photos.