Big Sur - Jack Kerouac - Ben Gibbard - Jay Fararr
The concert involved Ben Gibbard from Death Cab for Cutie and Jay Fararr the lead singer of Sun Volt. What a great show! I didn't want it to end. There are some shows, that when it ends, its time and your ok with that. This show should not have ended, it was so spectacular. The whole Big Sur album, some SonVolt, some DCFC, some solo Gibbard tracks, and a cover of Donavon.
Utterly Amazing. The DCFC and Gibbard songs sounded really great with an alt-country twang to them and were a bit spruced up and had quite a lot of emotion behind them. The show began with Transcontinental and just continued to grow in emotion and sound from there. Ending with 2 encores, this show was truly one not to be missed.
If you get the chance, find a ticket in the city closest to you and GO to the show!
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Nick Jonas & The Administration
Wow time has flown by.
Well I'm back and it is a new year and also my first concert of the year. Nick Jonas and the Administration. I know there will be non-believers, but the show was exceptional. The Administration is a killer backing band, great tone and sound coming from these guys, who are all probably close to double Nicks age.
Yes - Was I surrounded by crazy screaming teenagers and young girls.
Yes - Did the mom in front of me ask her kids what OMG meant.
Yes - Did they play some Jonas Brothers songs.
No - I did not pay $40 for the Nick Jonas t-shirt.
The Admin songs are killer, a little Stevie Wonder and some blues licks. Can't wait for the album. On the other hand the JB songs, just not that into. However, that Nick is one performer, every song is played full out, like it is going to be the last song of the night.
Pretty great show and I am glad that I attended.
Final Grade: A-
Thursday, April 2, 2009
The Fort - Morrison, CO
Who doesn't want to eat in an adobe building, the largest in Colorado, modeled after an old military fort? Well, I for sure did, and so, during 5280 week in Denver, I did just that. The Fort is nestled near the top of a large hill. The large patio overlooks all of Morrison, Golden, and a distance Downtown.
Walking into the courtyard of the Forty, you are welcomed by the smell of campfire burning and a glowing light through the windows where diners are laughing and swooning over the meal before them. During 5280 week, restaurants offer prie-fix menus at a cost of $52.80 per couple. The menu was a treat in and of itself, but we also ordered a few appetizer's prior to the start of the meal.
The shrimp shooters and lamb ribblets were both very tasty. But the piece-de-resistance was the buffalo bone marrow. Two bones that had been halved and the broiled to perfection. The marrow was savory and melted in your mouth. The meal started with the house salad and bread. The main dish was a skewer of buffalo sirloin grilled to perfection and a quail glazed in Teriyaki. Accompanyed by mashed potatoes and green beans almonde, the plate was perfectly executed. meat cooked perfectly, beans done just right, and potatoes with just the right amount of garlic.
The only disappointment of the meal was the dessert. Cherry peach cobbler, ala mode. It was an ok dessert, nothing to order again.
Overall the meal was delicious and the company was ideal.
Grade: A-
Walking into the courtyard of the Forty, you are welcomed by the smell of campfire burning and a glowing light through the windows where diners are laughing and swooning over the meal before them. During 5280 week, restaurants offer prie-fix menus at a cost of $52.80 per couple. The menu was a treat in and of itself, but we also ordered a few appetizer's prior to the start of the meal.
The shrimp shooters and lamb ribblets were both very tasty. But the piece-de-resistance was the buffalo bone marrow. Two bones that had been halved and the broiled to perfection. The marrow was savory and melted in your mouth. The meal started with the house salad and bread. The main dish was a skewer of buffalo sirloin grilled to perfection and a quail glazed in Teriyaki. Accompanyed by mashed potatoes and green beans almonde, the plate was perfectly executed. meat cooked perfectly, beans done just right, and potatoes with just the right amount of garlic.
The only disappointment of the meal was the dessert. Cherry peach cobbler, ala mode. It was an ok dessert, nothing to order again.
Overall the meal was delicious and the company was ideal.
Grade: A-
Tulsa, OK in February
Well, I know that Tulsa isn't the travel destination for the stars, but when this is the closest you can get to your musician of the moment, it is hard to not go. Driving to Tulsa, via Kansas City, MO was actually not so bad. Besides a random snow storm on the drive, it was clear sailing.
When in Tulsa, stay downtown at the Crowne Plaza. You may pay a few extra bucks, but with the newly remodeled rooms and lobby, it is worth it. For checking in last minute, the room was quiet, and clean, a bounty of pillows on the bed, and a birds-eye view of the venue.
After a nice nap, the concierge was able to direct me to some really great shops and restaurants. I headed out with navigation in tow, to tour around the town. Heading to Cheap Thrills (http://cheapthrillsvintage.com/) first. I love a Vintage shop that takes pride in their merchandise, even if it is a hand me down. It so happened that the day I visited, the whole store was 50% off, can't go wrong with that. After the purchase of a few belt buckles and a coat, I was off to the next shopping spot.
Down the way, the Little Black Dress Boutique (http://www.littleblackdressok.com/) and Chrome awaited. Situated across from the street from each other, both offered solid fashion and good prices. After finding local designer, Happy First at LBD, it was over to Chrome to peruse. Although I only left with some new jewelry at Chrome, I am on their facebook fan page now too.
The last place I stopped was Vintage Stock. Closer to the University, this music and game emporium was full of some really great items. Nintendo games lined the back wall, while racks upon racks of VHS were alphabetized. You could also purchase vinyl, role playing cards, and comic books. It is the stop for the ultimate geek in all of us.
All-in-all, Tulsa was a pleasant surprise. Great people and an interesting atmosphere.
When in Tulsa, stay downtown at the Crowne Plaza. You may pay a few extra bucks, but with the newly remodeled rooms and lobby, it is worth it. For checking in last minute, the room was quiet, and clean, a bounty of pillows on the bed, and a birds-eye view of the venue.
After a nice nap, the concierge was able to direct me to some really great shops and restaurants. I headed out with navigation in tow, to tour around the town. Heading to Cheap Thrills (http://cheapthrillsvintage.com/) first. I love a Vintage shop that takes pride in their merchandise, even if it is a hand me down. It so happened that the day I visited, the whole store was 50% off, can't go wrong with that. After the purchase of a few belt buckles and a coat, I was off to the next shopping spot.
Down the way, the Little Black Dress Boutique (http://www.littleblackdressok.com/) and Chrome awaited. Situated across from the street from each other, both offered solid fashion and good prices. After finding local designer, Happy First at LBD, it was over to Chrome to peruse. Although I only left with some new jewelry at Chrome, I am on their facebook fan page now too.
The last place I stopped was Vintage Stock. Closer to the University, this music and game emporium was full of some really great items. Nintendo games lined the back wall, while racks upon racks of VHS were alphabetized. You could also purchase vinyl, role playing cards, and comic books. It is the stop for the ultimate geek in all of us.
All-in-all, Tulsa was a pleasant surprise. Great people and an interesting atmosphere.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Joe Momma's - Tulsa, OK
When in Tulsa, try and find a local joint to eat at. That was the game I decided to play while in the Heart of the City. It was a weekend and downtown Tulsa was a ghost town. Only did it liven up after 10 o'clock. After attending a concert, I was a bit hungry, so I sought out a local place to dine. Staying close to my hotel, I was able to step into Joe Momma's, http://www.joemommas.com/, a local pizza joint, open late with formal dining, a tiny bar, and pizza by the slice.
Wanting something to spice up my life, I created my own pizza. It was made with the spicy arrabiata sauce, which had jalapeno pieces in it. Then I kept it simple and added mozzarella and andouille sausage. So spicy and delicious. Paired with a Mexican Coke, it was the perfect midnight snack.
Joe Momma's is an absolute must stop for Tulsa, especially on the weekend when they are open until 3am.
Grade: A-
Wanting something to spice up my life, I created my own pizza. It was made with the spicy arrabiata sauce, which had jalapeno pieces in it. Then I kept it simple and added mozzarella and andouille sausage. So spicy and delicious. Paired with a Mexican Coke, it was the perfect midnight snack.
Joe Momma's is an absolute must stop for Tulsa, especially on the weekend when they are open until 3am.
Grade: A-
The Daily Grill - Tulsa, OK
As you all know, or should have guessed, I am not such a fan of chain restaurants. With that being said, on a recent visit to Tulsa, many recommended places did not open until 6pm. Well when it is 5pm and my stomach growling, chains seem to be the only place open. I went back to my hotel and dined at the Daily Grill. A pre-concert snack, of sorts.
I sat at the bar, and with only 7 seats of the 25 filled, I expected the service to be spot on. That was my first assumption to go wrong. Being a fully stocked bar, I also expected there to be ginger ale or at least bitters. Wrong again. After perusing the menu, I finally decided on a side order of Mac & Cheese and a slice of the 6-layer carrot cake.
They came out at the same time, which was perfect. The mac & cheese was a blend of four cheeses including Gruyere and cheddar. A very nice combination and although it was baked, it retained the creamy sauce texture. The carrot cake was 6-layers with a nice cream cheese frosting. Overall, really a flawless cake.
Although the Daily Grill is a chain, with locations in a few major cities, the atmosphere and food masked the service issues and the chain issue.
Grade: B
Last Bite: Carrot Cake
I sat at the bar, and with only 7 seats of the 25 filled, I expected the service to be spot on. That was my first assumption to go wrong. Being a fully stocked bar, I also expected there to be ginger ale or at least bitters. Wrong again. After perusing the menu, I finally decided on a side order of Mac & Cheese and a slice of the 6-layer carrot cake.
They came out at the same time, which was perfect. The mac & cheese was a blend of four cheeses including Gruyere and cheddar. A very nice combination and although it was baked, it retained the creamy sauce texture. The carrot cake was 6-layers with a nice cream cheese frosting. Overall, really a flawless cake.
Although the Daily Grill is a chain, with locations in a few major cities, the atmosphere and food masked the service issues and the chain issue.
Grade: B
Last Bite: Carrot Cake
Monday, March 2, 2009
The Cardinals - Kansas City, MO
The Uptown Theater is in the heart of Kansas City, MO, located on Broadway. The marquee read 'Ryan Adams & The Cardinals - Sold Out'. Boy do I love a sold out show. The crowd is usually in great spirits, the band is amped, and the set list tends to be one that would rival any other. The sold out show lived up to half of the statements above.
I was lucky enough to sit by another super fan, so we were able to geek out about Ryan, The Cards, Whiskytown, and tattoos, prior to the show starting. Although the band took the stage 45 minutes late, The Cardinals started off with the jams straight-away. Kicking of the set, 'I see monsters' was filled with emotion and life.
The Cardinals presented a grand mix from all of their albums. This evenings version of 'Born into the Light' was much more rock filled than the 'Cardinology' version. Another highlight was 'Rescue Blues' where the band changed it up a bit, Ryan on piano and Jon Graboff on guitar. A really great version, the best I have heard yet. Neal Casel was also able to showcase a tune from his brand new album.
Overall, the show was an A-, mainly because of the tardiness and the short show, they played for 1.5 hours. Nevertheless, the boys never disappoint and played plenty of my favorites.
Set-List
I see Monsters
Everybody Knows
Fix It
Let it Ride
Two
*Evening Joke with JonGraboff*
Dancing when the Stars go Blue
Come Pick me Up
Born into the Light
Wonderwall
Neal Casel Jam
Mockingbird
Goodnight Rose
Oh my God Whatever, etc.
Rescue Blues
Peaceful Valley
Bartering Lines
I was lucky enough to sit by another super fan, so we were able to geek out about Ryan, The Cards, Whiskytown, and tattoos, prior to the show starting. Although the band took the stage 45 minutes late, The Cardinals started off with the jams straight-away. Kicking of the set, 'I see monsters' was filled with emotion and life.
The Cardinals presented a grand mix from all of their albums. This evenings version of 'Born into the Light' was much more rock filled than the 'Cardinology' version. Another highlight was 'Rescue Blues' where the band changed it up a bit, Ryan on piano and Jon Graboff on guitar. A really great version, the best I have heard yet. Neal Casel was also able to showcase a tune from his brand new album.
Overall, the show was an A-, mainly because of the tardiness and the short show, they played for 1.5 hours. Nevertheless, the boys never disappoint and played plenty of my favorites.
Set-List
I see Monsters
Everybody Knows
Fix It
Let it Ride
Two
*Evening Joke with JonGraboff*
Dancing when the Stars go Blue
Come Pick me Up
Born into the Light
Wonderwall
Neal Casel Jam
Mockingbird
Goodnight Rose
Oh my God Whatever, etc.
Rescue Blues
Peaceful Valley
Bartering Lines
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
