An Old Friend, Holiday Music and Keri Noble

I Love Facebook.  There, I said it.  I don't admit my dirty laundry very often to others, but it's true.  I love Facebook for a lot of reasons, but mostly because it has brought me back into the lives of so many dear friends that I have lost touch with over the years.  

If it weren't for one of those friends, I probably wouldn't have any idea who Keri Noble is and why you should love her as much as I do.  Let me back up.  A few weeks back, an old friend of mine who I am connected to on Facebook sent me an email.  It went something like this....

Friend: "I think we have similar music tastes, would you like to go see Keri Noble with me?"

Lisa:  "I'm game, I have no idea who she is but up for a show and would love to reconnect."

Friend:  "Great, meet you for dinner and the show."

Lisa:  "Count me in."

...You get the picture...

So, we met for dinner.  I know it's probably cheezy when people say, "It was like no time had passed" so I won't say that.  In fact, 15 years had past, so obviously that isn't even true, but I was so glad to have had the opportunity to catch up.  Our lives were in different places, but there were many common connections between us that made the time fly by and leave me so thankful for this friend.  We finished dinner and headed to the show at the Varsity Theater.  

Here is what I can tell you for sure about Keri Noble.  She plays a wicked keyboard.  She is drop-dead gorgeous and may become my female crush (my friend's too).  She has unbelievable lyrics and a great band.  Typically, I don't love going to shows where I don't know any of the songs in advance - I love to sing along (to the dismay of those around me) and I can't do that if I don't know the songs.  After the show I bought her Holiday EP and most recent band album, When It Don't Come Easy... Yes, she covers Patty Griffin's song and titles her album after it, but don't worry, it all works out.  I love Red Eye Flight and What I Gotta Do.  Can't wait for more.

The Best Show I've Ever Seen

I don't have to tell you what an icon John Mellancamp is, his 30 year career in music speaks for itself.  He's been a professional musician longer than I have been alive.  This is a once-in-a-lifetime show, for sure.  Ever since Words & Music came out a few years ago, I haven't really been too long without a JM fix, but my love of Mellancamp started at a very early age with the song Hurts So Good.  In the early 80s when this song was released, I, like many young girls was an avid gymnast.  My parents were good friends of the owners of the gym where I took lessons and let us use it in the early mornings when no one else was there.  My mom and I spent hours and hours at the gym together working out to this song.  It's strange really.  I don't remember what we actually did in those early mornings, but I definitely remember this song.  Fast forward a few years, and my favorites became Authority Song, Jack & Diane, Your Life Is Now and Key West Intermezzo (I Saw You First).

Tonight, this show had a totally different feel than the "old time" rock 'n roll you might expect (especially with hits like R.O.C.K. in the USA).  The diversity of instruments and how he changed up the tone of some of his hits, was amazing.  From an a cappella Cherry Bomb to a new song, Longest Days, that literally brought me to tears, I must see him again and again.

Ms Sara B

The State Theater and Sara Bareilles.  You might stop right there, but instead, I'll just tell you how much I loved this show!  First, start at the beginning.... Opener Holly Conlan was a treat.  I picked up her album after the show, however, it was a total disappointment.  It doesn't compare to seeing her live.  She needs a new record, stat!

On to the show - Sara was non-stop.  The stand-up piano playing and her energy was amazing.  She cracked me up with her cautious swearing and even her admitted mistakes in the show that no one would have probably even noticed if she hadn't pointed them out.  She definitely did the hits and many songs from her new album.  I think I got a workout just watching.  I, of course, love King of Anything, but Hold My Heart is a great second and Let It Rain could soon become my own personal anthem.  I left wanting a lot more.

Lady A is an A+

Today is a day that I will remember the rest of my life... That's pretty monumental for me.  I don't have many of those, really.  High school and college graduation, my wedding day, the day we bought our first house, the day we got Gus... you get the picture?  Today is one of those days, just with a different sort of memory.... today is the day I got a phone call from my mom and found out she has cancer, and it's Stage 4.  I don't have many of those kinds of memories, so I guess I should think I'm lucky.  Too bad nothing about this feels like the kind of luck you'd want.

What does any of this have to do with a concert?  Well, it might only be fitting that tonight we are going to see Lady Antebellum, who I absolutely love.  And, not only that, I can completely lose myself in the dark theater and try not to think about how everything might look a little different from today forward.

The show starts with David Nail, who I recommend you check out.  I know I am going to.

Lady A's stage is set up with some amazing backdrops, chandeliers and a huge window.  Not what I expected for a one-album wonder.

The show starts with I Run To You, which is my favorite song - it's on my workout playlist and although it has a slower pace than you'd expect, keeps me going.  They continue with hitting their other hits and a few covers.  They play Do I which is a Luke Bryan song that Dave and Charles wrote with Luke.  Man, these guys are so talented.  They cover some Bruce Springsteen, the Police and Bonnie Raitt and end the show with Need You Now, which just seems pretty fitting for the kind of mood I am in.  They play a short encore and the show ends.  I will definitely see them again and never forget this moment for so many reasons.

Division Playoffs Game 2 vs. Yankees

It's Game 2 on the Roof Deck.  Last night was a disappointing loss to the Yankees and if we don't pull out a win tonight, this will be the end of the playoffs at Target Field in 2010.  Pavano is pitching and Mike is wearing a Pavano mustache in his honor.  Despite the great weather, friends, food and confident hitting from the Twins, Game 2 goes to the Yankees... again.  The Twins have never won a division series game 2 and tonight was no exception.  Pavano went 6 innings and gave up 10 hits, which proved deadly.  On the bright side, the bullpen looked its best and combined for 2 scoreless innings.  Hudson and Young were shining at the sticks.  Too bad it wasn't enough.  Damn, it's hard being a Twins fan.

Twins, Blue Jays and More Donkey

So I'm a little behind in blog posts.  Let me finish up the baseball season before spring training gets underway.  On a Thursday night, we caught the beginning of the final homestand of the regular season against the Jays.  Bautista has been on fire this year and we aren't looking our best.  Despite another questionable outing by Baker, Valencia and Young, aka Donkey, pulled out an amazing performance.  Delmon hit his 20th homerun in the game and joined the ranks of Morneau, Puckett, Hunter and Cuddyer as the only Twins players to hit at least 20 homers, 40 doubles and 100 singles in a season.  Anybody missing from that list?  Clearly, Donkey is delivering.  You might wonder why the nickname Donkey?  That is a question only my husband can answer, but I guess it has paid off - this has been a memorable year, Delmon.

BC opens for SC

While in NYC celebrating Mike's Grandmother's upcoming milestone birthday, we decided to catch a show at Radio City Music Hall - Brandi Carlile opening for Sheryl Crow.  If you've been keeping up so far, no surprise Brandi might be involved, but this is my first time seeing Sheryl Crow.  I've been to some amazing theaters in the past.  In fact, just yesterday we were at the Gershwin, but the only way to describe RCMH is stunningly beautiful. 

We arrive just before Brandi starts and she begins with not a cello solo, but a piano solo.  It's a short and  unpredictable set since when I usually see her show, she is the main act.  She manages to get the entire theater on their feet with her Jackson/Folsom Prison staple, despite the crowd being a bit older than I imagine she is used to.  The women next to me who continue to talk very loudly throughout Brandi's show lean over at one point and ask if she is "big in the US."  They are from Canada.  My answer?  "Of course.  Huge."  Brandi can thank me later for that record sale.

The opening show ends with Brandi giving a shout-out to a friend who is turning 40 and playing the 80s hit "Forever Young" on the piano.  I actually love this song and like this rendition even more when she admits she forgets the words and just learned how to play it on the piano recently.  Someday I'll learn how to upload my recording of it.

Sheryl takes the stage in what seems to be record time between sets.  She starts out with a Jackson 5 cover and the 60s-esque vibe of her following songs from her new album don't disappoint.  Don't judge me too much, but we left the show early.  Not because Sheryl was bad, but because we were just downright exhausted and the alarm at 4am was going to be even more painful if we didn't get to bed.  Not sure how many shows Sheryl has left in her - she is nearly 50 years old - but I imagine if she has anything to say about it, this is far from her last.  I'll definitely be back, with or without Brandi.

The Most Historic Rivalry in All of Baseball

On the heals of the Twins clinching the AL Central, they have a real chance to gain home field advantage if they can gain a bit on the Yankees and Rays.  Tonight we land in NYC and head to our sixth ballpark of the year, the "new" Yankees Stadium, to witness the most historic rivalry in all of baseball:  The Yankees vs. Red Sox.  About three years ago, Mike and I were able to catch a game in the old Yankees Stadium.  Fitting that on that night the opponent was the Rays. 

It's a great night in New York for baseball and ends up being a great night for home runs.  Boston takes an early lead in the second with a 3 run homer from Lowrie.  C-Grand answers with a solo shot in the third.  In the forth, Boston hits a series of singles and doubles to send in another four runs to make it 7-1.  At this point, I'm pretty sure that the Twins will gain some ground on the Yankees in the home field advantage race.  Then, it gets even better when Bill Hall hits a three-run blast in the fifth to make it 10-1.  The Yankees seem down, but I know better than to consider them out.  In the bottom of the sixth, A-Rod and Teixeira hit back to back solo home runs and back it up with Swisher and A-Rod each hitting 2-run homers in the bottom of the seventh.  With the score 10-7, its probable that the Yankees could come back, but even with Teixeira hitting another solo shot in the bottom of the ninth, Yankees lose 8-10.  I leave just a little bit happier that I watched the biggest payroll in baseball lose in their own ballpark to their biggest rivals, but my happiness is only short lived; the Twins also lost to the Tigers 1-10.  Just another day in baseball.

Twins and the Three Amigos

Tonight it is the Twins vs. Indians and besides happy hour and hanging out with two of my gal pals, I definitely have baseball on the brain.  The Twins have a shot to clinch the AL Central Division Championship if they win tonight and the White Sox lose.  Magic number is 2.  If the stars align, they will be the first team in baseball to clinch this year.  This game starts out like many.  A few hits by Span, Punto is back in the lineup and actually hits a double and a Jim Thome home run. Scott Baker looks his usual self, giving up 4 hits and can only last 5 innings.  Our bullpen comes in and Mijares gives up another 4 hits and is pulled before the end of the 6th.  Rauch, Perkins and Capps finish out the night and the Twins score 4 in the 8th inning.  By the end of the game, the As are leading the Sox and it looks promising that tonight will be the night... and so it was.  I wasn't like many fans that stayed at the park to see if the title was ours, but had to watch it on TV before heading to bed.  Twins win 6-4 and our 6th ALC Championship in the last 9 years is ours.  Could this really be the year that the post season is more of a fairy tale and less of a nightmare?  In a few more weeks, we will find out.

Sort of San Francisco

I guess you can say I sort of lived in San Francisco.  Mike and I bought a house about 30 miles dead east of the city in a town called Tracy.  Living here was a short proposition; a little less than 2 years, but I still get nostalgic for this area and try to come back at least once a year.  There is lots to see and do here, but this is one of those places that tourist attractions are not on the agenda.  Moving to California was probably one of the hardest things I ever did.  In fact, it was definitely one of the worst times in my life.  But, I met some of the best people I have ever known, and spending a little time with them is truly my top priority. 

This week, I am here for work which affords me the opportunity to take a few extra days to enjoy myself.  I reconnected with a college roommate whom I haven't been in touch with in nearly 10 years.  Who knew you could really pick back up where you left off with someone as if really no time has passed?  Tomorrow I will see some former co-workers who I still consider to be some of my closest and dearest friends, even through I don't get to see them very often.  There won't be any extravagant restaurants or even a nice hotel - the place I am staying in is more closely aligned to the term motel - but I don't need that to truly love it here.  I love coming here to spend time with the people I know, my friends, and that can be done at a Chevy's on a Thursday night at 5:30 pm.  Believe me. 

Rain, Royals and Runs

Today is my birthday.  To celebrate, a few years ago, we started going to watch the Twins.  Because of this, I thought I might introduce you to my love of major league baseball... and especially the Twins.  I love rooting for the underdogs [however, who can say we are the underdogs this year?!]. 

Today we are playing the Royals, a team that has not been very good for awhile, but we tend to have a fair amount of trouble with from time to time.  We have great seats just behind home plate.  I've enjoyed a fair number of games at Target Field this year already, but this is the closest we have been able to get to the action. 

We are at the game just in time to catch the national anthem and to have it start raining on us.  This will continue multiple times throughout the game, but I am neither leaving my seat nor going to be put-off by a little rain.  Clearly, neither are the Twins.  Despite a disappointing outing by Slowey, the starter, the bullpen and the offense pulled through.  Jason Kubel hits a go-ahead home run and Jim Thome hits his 585th career home run just after....  a monster off the flag pole in right-center...  and that is about all we needed to enusre a win.  Thome is now one homer shy of the number 8th all time spot, and I still cannot believe we landed this guy on our roster. 

Twins win 5-4.  What a memorable day.

Goo Goo for Gaga

Mike creatively calls my concert-going obsession, which strangely picks up during the summer months, my summer concert series.  Lady Gaga marks the end of the best season yet; here's why...

I knew I was really in love with Lady Gaga when I thought I should take up running and needed some music that would keep me going through each mile.  Just Dance and Bad Romance are on my run playlist and helped me get through my first race, the Twins 4K, at the beginning of the month.

For those of you paying attention, I should tell you that it is not common for me to catch back-to-back concerts on school nights, but for Lady Gaga, I'll definitely make exceptions.  This is a night I had been waiting for since March when we caught Black Eyed Peas in concert with some friends and learned that she would be coming to town.  Our friends were game to go together and tickets were subsequently purchased.  Okay, I guess I should clarify... my girlfriend and I decided we should go and our husbands didn't completely negate the idea.

We were off to a rocky start when, a few days before the concert, I learned that although Jason Derulo was touring with Lady Gaga earlier in the year, he was now too big to be an opening act, and we were going to be blessed with Semi Precious Weapons instead.  Big bummer since I actually somewhat justified the ridiculous ticket price for the nose-bleeds thinking that I was getting 2 shows I'd like to see for my money.  Putting all of that aside, we arrived in time for SPW to start.

There isn't much to tell you about SPW other than they are terrible.  If you are interested in watching a guy jump around, change clothes on stage - down to less underwear than I wear, and ask you repeatedly if you want to have his baby, you should consider finding these guys in the basement of a very sketchy club in NYC where I am sure they hang out hoping they will someday be able to "bring back rock and roll" like they keep telling you they are going to do.  Best of luck to you.

Finally, it's time for Gaga.  She starts off with a few of the radio hits and you figure out quickly that this is going to be as much like watching a freaky musical as it is a concert.  Between the costume and set changes, an interesting story develops of how Gaga and her friends are trying to make it to the Monster Ball, despite being "dropped off" - by car, subway and tornado - in sketchy places.  The people-watching around us is just about as entertaining as the show.  There are quite a few moms/daughters of all ages dressed up to match the artist.  The soda/beer can hairdos are my favorite.  Gaga spends time between songs itching her nose and playing with her hair (interpret as you wish), telling her "Monsters" how much she loves them (and to put their paws up, which cracks me up) and making call outs to her sponsor.  The show takes on a bit of a cult like undertone with Gaga covered in faux blood, praying to a statue that shoots sparks from it's wings and playing in a bloody fountain.  Despite all of this, I can't take my eyes or ears off this show and leave more than satisfied I got my money's worth...

Me, Brandi Carlile and 6,000+

It is a funny little tradition of mine to spend a little time at the organism known as the "Great Minnesota Get Together" AKA the Minnesota State Fair every year for a few reasons.  First, because when I moved to Minnesota in 1996, it became an annual event and I have a thing for anything I can look forward to once a year.  Yes, I realize that is a lot of corn dogs.  One of the other reasons I love the fair is because it nearly always falls sometime around my birthday, which should be a month-long event, if you ask me.  Having your birthday around a misunderstood national holiday pretty much sucks until you are old enough to no longer want to remember you are another year older.  And finally, there is nothing better than watching all the crazies come out to this annual event.  Well, the corn on the cob isn't bad, either.

This year, I had another reason to head out into this insanity... Brandi Carlile.  I have to admit up front, I carry a fairly unhealthy obsession for Brandi, Josh, and Tim and Phil, the twins, right now, and have seen them potentially more than anyone else - I may have to fact check that someday.  In fact, the Grandstand at the MN State Fair is not the first time I have seen Brandi & Co this year, nor the first time I have seen them at the MN State Fair, but who's counting?  Isn't that why I decided to blog about this stuff, anyway?  So here are some thoughts from the event...

First, one sentence about the Watson Twins, who opened the show.  That's good enough.

A shout out to Amos Lee, the second opener.  He's been on my list to see for some time and I absolutely loved him.  Thanks to Cities 97 for introducing me... he's on at least 1 sampler, maybe 2, and whenever he comes up in my playlist, I am reminded that I need to go see this guy!  He did not disappoint.  Supply and Demand makes me love him, check out Keep it Loose, Keep it Tight and Listen is a good deeper cut.   

On to Brandi, or should I say, Josh.  Josh opened the set with a cello solo that makes you melt.  I love the cello for a few reasons:  First Josh is not bad to look at.  Lets be honest, for an instrument that you have sit to play, you need a little bit of interest to keep your attention.  Second, the cello is the only instrument that I ever attempted to learn.  I still love the sound of it today.  I can tell you all of the notes to "Ode to Joy" in bass clef, but that is the range of my retained knowledge.  If I had more ambition, I may actually pick it back up, but don't hold your breath for that to happen.  I thought you needed a little context for my love of Josh.  I have not seen Josh start the show too many times, but hope it happens more.  I read once that he gets really nervous to be out there alone at the beginning of the show and that is pretty endearing. 

Being one of 6,000 (or should I say two - my husband Mike was also a willing participant) is a pretty cool thing to experience for a singer/songwriter/indie/folk/lesbian artist who is still rather early in her musical career and whom you have seen in much smaller places with much less excited crowds.  The usual set antics were included in the show this time... the "acoustic set" which couldn't be completely unplugged because the grandstand was too large and those that were in the cheep seats wouldn't be able to hear a thing... The 3 part harmony in Turpentine... Jackson/Folsom Prison cover of Johnny Cash and the newest addition that I first saw on Cayamo 2009, cover of The Beatle's Let it Be that ended just as the fireworks began (priceless).

If you are not as familiar with Brandi, check out her first album first.  It made me fall in love with her...  songs like Follow, Fall Apart Again and Closer to You are some of my favs.  At this show, when I'm contemplating getting serious about starting a blog, I had what Oprah would call [insert a little/lot of cheez] an "Aha! Moment"... the lyrics to My Song were pretty much calling out to me (I did warn you about the cheez!).   Here's a little glimpse...

everything I do 
surrounds these pieces of my life 
that often change
or maybe I've changed...

This is My Song...

I live every day like 
there'll never be a last one 
till they're gone
and they're gone
but I'm too proud to beg
for your attention and your friendship
and your time
so you can come and get it from now on...

This is my song...come back if you want to hear more.  Or don't... you choose.