Love Syndicate again at the Bitter End - this time I got to see a good part of the set. Even better than last night. Great vocals, and a guest appearance by a baritone sax. Bought their latest CD. Then next door at Lounge, rumor had it that Ben Harper was playing, though he wasn't on the schedule. Turned out to be true. Unfortunately, it had been announced on the radio and the place was packed. I was at the front of the line and ended up leaving because they were overloaded (Fire Marshal keeping everyone in line) and only people for special connections, like some folks from Waterloo Records, we getting in. I watched Ben walk by me....

They shut down traffic on most of the drag. The street music on 6th was varied, some very good. One, with a rhythm guitar, a tabla and conga, was really terrific. Easy to imagine that guitarist in the big time. With music blaring out of most of the bars and restaurants, it put me back on Bourbon St., but with even more live music. Austin is the live music capital of the world!

3:15:47 AM     comment []   Google It!  

The show ended with a surprise special guest: Ritchie Havens. He started solo on his guitar, playing Freedom. As the energy built, the drums kicked in and Daniel gracefully worked in some sweet rhythm guitar. The crowd joined in the singing enthusiastically and the show ended on that high note. Wonderful.

From there I wandered over the Antone's to see Kathleen Edwards, who has received a lot of press recently and was sure to be a bit draw. Sure enough, there was a line even for the badge holders and I waited after 15 minutes to get in. I liked her and her band, but not enough to spend the full hour there. I left and went around the corner and was drawn into the Fox and Hound by the sounds of Hookah Brown from New York. Cool sound! Only two songs left though...

Back on the street, I next got sucked into a bars, not part of South By Southwest, called Ringside @ Sullivan's. There was a great jazz quintet playing, All U Need - sax, trumpet, drums, guitar, bass. Really good stuff. But then they took a break so on I went....

...and came across another long line at the Lounge. I contemplated waiting in it, but hears some other cool music coming from next door. Turns out to be free show at the Bitter End, a brewpub. The band was Love Syndicate. Really good. Another highlight, again a brief one.

Stopped by Mother Egan's. Nada Surf from NY was playing. Didn't do much for me, so I went across the street to Opal Divine's Freehouse. Brave Combo. What a hoot! Kick-ass accordion, fun, fun polka band. By request, they cranked into the Hokey Pokey and rocked the house. Not your grandma's version of that song! The crowd wanted an encore, but SXSW doesn't work that way.

Finally, I headed down 6th street to the Roxy to see what Pedro the Lion was all about. Seemed like pretty ordinary rock to me. One song was enough and I called it a night.

2:56:49 AM     comment []   Google It!  

At 10:30 I went back to the Austin Music Hall to catch The Improbable Return of Redneck Rock with Steven Fromholz, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Bob Livingston, Rusty Wier, Ray Benson and Billy Joe Shaver. The fathers of Austin rock all together on the same stage, masters of their craft. With Ray Wylie they played Up Against the Wall Redneck Mother. They also played Going Home with the Armadillo, and London Homesick Blues - all classics, favorites of mine. It was a kick. Sweet. Next, back to Antone's for Jon Cleary and The Absolute Monster Gentlemen. I had heard Jon Cleary on the radio earlier, playing the piano live in the studio, giving a sort of clinic on New Orleans style piano styles. Kind of weird the British guy being a New Orleans rocker, but that he is with a top notch band cranking it out. Another excellent show.

I love this town!

1:49:22 AM     comment []   Google It!  

Inside, the dance floor is all that separates me from Marcia. Sometimes it's empty, sometimes full, but never crowded. Now, I've seen Marcia in New Orleans, her frequent stomping grounds. You'd never get a ticket to see her the night of the show. Probably not in San Francisco either. You certainly wouldn't be able to walk up to the stage without fighting an intense throng of people. But here in Austin, I was able to stand there and enjoy a fine, fun show. And take a few snapshots!

11:44:49 PM     comment []   Google It!  

And so easy. I was reminded listening to the radio this afternoon that this was the last of a three-night date. Went to Antone's web site at 4:30 PM and bought a will-call ticket for less than the door price. Left my house after getting the kids to bed, drove 20 minutes downtown (I live way out there!), parked on the street a couple of blocks away, was quickly inside, moseying right on up to the stage and waiting for the show to begin. My ears are still ringing! ;->

2:53:52 AM     comment []   Google It!  

Maybe it will get old next year, but this year it was fun! ;->

11:55:16 PM     comment []   Google It!