2000

Bob Dylan
@ Dillon Gym, Princeton University
Princeton, NJ – November 17, 2000

So the ol’ man, coincidentally playing at the Dillon Gym, with such figures as Bill Bradley in attendance, decided to come snotty Ivy League-dom. The best moments were definitely those moments when the under whelmed crowd politely applauded Unky Bob and he stood there in disbelief – the crowd didn’t deserve the patented Dylan bow. But at least I finally got to hear “Like A Rolling Stone” live – as Dylan’s divine something-or-other intended. Another highlight: “Leopard Skin Pillbox Hat”. In attendance with my buddy John and his later-to-be famous Princetonian friend Alex Halderman, I was more amazed by the social setting of the campus than seeing Zim himself. But Zim didn’t disappoint, convincing me further of his continued live revival.

Ani Difranco
@ Liacouras Center
Philadelphia, PA – October 30, 2000

A year after Bob Dylan inaugurated the rock acts at Temple University, the second significant folk-rock artist to arrive was Ani Difranco. Armed with her guitar, Ani brought her talented band, including a horn section, to play her multitude of songs. Jazzy and funky, in addition to folksy, the Righteous Babe, ended the show with an encore that included “Super Freak”. Ani’s technical expertise at making songs gave the audience a hell of a good time (and of course some requisite politicking to boot).

Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band; Mark Selby
@ Theater of Living Arts
Philadelphia, PA – October 24, 2000

Well this is as close to seeing Stevie Ray Vaughn as I’ll ever get. But that is to take nothing away from Kenny Wayne Shepherd himself. In the vein of great blues-based guitarists, KWS follows SRV who lived by the soul of Jimi. So, in that respect, seeing KWS also means this is as close to seeing Jimi as I’ll ever get. All that being said, the show was non-stop textbook blues-rock. Playing all their quality tunes, if KWS has one thing going for him, besides his exceptional guitar skill, is that his band has character. Noah Hunt is a fine lead singer and a warm personality and drummer Sam “Freight Train” Bryant literally dominates the scene. To boot, KWS’ opening act was the mega-talented Mark Selby who led his trio in fine blues-rock. Selby, who writes more material for country acts than even comes close to scoring his own hit, is one of the greatest artists in the world whose known to nobody. When he returned for the encore jam, the night was truly complete. In a far off fantasy world of justice, these two acts would be big enough that this would have been a double-bill mega tour – but then again, thank goodness for life’s little pleasures.

Vetrock
@ Willow Grove AFB
Willow Grove, PA – Sat, May 13, 2000

The charity festival that was Vetrock, which I attended thanks solely to my friend John, began with a Fleetwood Mac tribute band that held true to its mission, though the lead male singer facial expressions matched more for the music of REO Speedwagon than anything sung by Lindsay Buckingham. The morning acts, tantamount to a second stage, were highlighted by the strange and disturbing Brit Smalls, a vet himself whose set was essentially a karaoke set, with his son and grandson, in military attire, faking their guitar and bass respectively. Between patriotic and war-is-hell themed songs (“Captured Eagles”, “Still In Saigon”), Mr. Smalls would rant about the mistreatment of vets by the government, his talk verging on the point of a riot-revolution, but at the same time he professed undying patriotism. Everyone else is a jerk in Brit Smalls’ eyes I guess. The finale of the unknown acts was a redneck-pride outfit called Country Justice, which had the nerve to have a noose as its logo. Starting off with a farm-animal song, CJ continued to bore with its corny dedication to commercial airline pilots (grossly titled “Silver Wings”). The two women guitarists sang better then their two male counterparts, but it was still too early in the day for hoedowns and Tammy Wynette-wannabe ballads. Anyways, the real acts took the stage around noon as the legendary Philly doo-wop act The Orlons took the audience down memory lane with “Don’t Hang Up” and “South Street”. The even more legendary Danny and The Juniors sang their mega hit “The Hop” and the Dovells, humored the crowd when they weren’t singing “The Bristol Stomp” or their cover of “Coming To America” (which they interestingly did not credit Neil Diamond with, nor even remark that it’s a cover; They simply referred to it as their “new song”). What was essentially the finale of the early 60’s pop acts was a performance by Johnny Maestro and Brooklyn Bridge. Mr. Maestro still hits the notes with ease. Blood, Sweat, and Tears, led by David Clayton-Thomas, who threatened to walk off the stage if the emcee photographed him, (it might have been a joke), played their single hit “You’ve Made Me So Very Happy” after much filler. The Marshall Tucker Band did not disappoint but they shockingly played their set without performing their biggest hit, “Can’t You See”. Next was legendary Iron Butterfly, and while John was adamant that the 70-year-old looking bass player could not have been an original member, it was the Kid Rock looking younger guitarist who proved to be the rookie. After about 4 or 5 songs, IB broke out “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida” and made everyone happy. And the drum solo was still amazing. The Animals II, led by Hilton Valentine and a carousel of singers who wished they could be Eric Burdon, were good enough that they started my interest in the Animals. Steppenwolf closed the show with ferocity just as a dangerous thunderstorm brought the activities to an end. After 10 hours of rock and roll, it was time to call it a day, but the named acts really made the show memorable.

Pork Tornado
@ Theatre of Living Arts
Philadelphia, PA – Fri, March 31 2000

The standing-room floor of the TLA became the site of my first by the stage concert, and I was there to see an act whom I only knew of that very day for its drummer, a drummer for a band for whom I had yet had an album. One of my first lessons in college, thanks to my roommate and others on campus, was the lesson of Phish. So I was not going to pass up the chance to see Jon Fishman in illustrated live glory. His side project, Pork Tornado, a supergroup of sorts, livened up the TLA with its Phishy jam but also with elements of 70’s funk and soul and Frank Zappa. In many ways, the organ player led the band while the bassist sang a good portion of the set list. Meanwhile, FishMAN himself entertained with his beer-drinking Irish jig later in the show, as the dread locked saxophonist did a fantastic flute solo. The sax man stole the show not once but twice – first with his fantastic cover of “I Touch Myself” and later singing what was apparently the band’s signature tune, “Kiss My Black Ass”. Casual, relaxed, but fused with spunk, Pork Tornado offered Philly a wonderful night of live rock.