Guitar Musings

I asked in my last post if the statement, “This is acoustic music in your face”, was a warning or a prediction.  Still not sure which one it was but CD 2 was in my face and  Tommy got a little bit of help from Bob Littell on Harmonica.

Highlights:

• The mix: I know I said this in the last post but it’s so good and really makes the CD’s an experience to listen to.
• Working Man’s Blues:  Good old fashioned blues with Littell on the harmonica.  They played off each other well and had a nice little jam going at one point.  I’m not a huge fan of the harmonica but this was truly impressive.
• Morning Aire:  Beautiful song.  I don’t know if there is more I can say.
• Initiation:  Tommy Does a long version of this where he’s really working the delay but in the end there’s a point where you could tell he just releases and lets the music take over.  “Primal Guitar” as Michael Hedges used to say.
• Questions:  Last track on the CD and all I would write down in my notes was, “Wow!”

Any “lowlights?”  For me, I would say too much harmonica.   The first four tracks felt like they were Tommy featuring Littell.   There was great guitar in those tracks but the harmonica seemed to butt in like a third wheel at times.  My thoughts were, “I bought this CD for Tommy Emmanuel, not the harmonica.”  As I said before, I’m not the biggest fan of the instrument.  Great playing and I have a great respect for Littell’s playing but it was too much for me.

Final Thought:

Once again, if you don’t have it get it!  If you are still wondering and waiting, get it anyway.  You won’t be disappointed.  Can’t wait for the DVD!

“This is acoustic music, in your face…” is the introduction on the first track on Tommy Emmanuel’s  “Live, Center Stage” CD1.  Was that a prediction or a warning?  Either way, Tommy didn’t disappoint with his 2nd live double CD set in three years.

Highlights:

• The Mix:  Every song on CD1 was engineered to perfection.  From Tommy’s playing to the just the right mix of crow noise makes you feel like your there at times.
• Nine Pound Hammer:  Great improv solo much like Guitar Boogie.  At one point, Tommy is playing guitar with one hand a moving baseline on the other.   Oh yeah, he’s singing on top of all that.
• And So it Goes:  Beautiful arrangement of a timeless Billy Joel song.  This performance just might bring a tear to ones eye.
• I Go to Rio:  Just love that he plays this.  It’s partially because I performed this in Jr. High choir and he does an awesome job with it.
• Beatles Medley:  Not the best one that I’ve heard but it’s still worth mentioning.  He does like to mix it up so this version had “Here Comes the Sun”, “When I’m Sixty Four”, “Day Tripper” and “Lady Madonna.”

No “lowlights” that I could find.  Some of the Tommy detractors might not enjoy some of the rhythmic montages that Tommy has been known to get into.  I believe he goes into a three or so minute rhythmic trance during Mombasa.  If you don’t already have it, get it.  If you’re still wondering and waiting, my thoughts on CD2 will posted soon.

In a previous post, I did a review of Bruce Cockburn’s performance at the Swallow Hill Folk and Roots Festival last March.  I also posted my report to CockburnProject.net and found an interesting addition to my review by someone called Audrey.   Audrey had some really good “inside” information regarding the circumstances surrounding Bruce’s performance.  Apparently, Bruce’s normal stage crew wasn’t there to set his rig and so there was a bunch of “fiddling” around trying to figure out what was wrong and Bruce’s in ear monitor was also on the fritz.    Plus, with the long delay Bruce had to keep focused because there was a curfew and if they went over that curfew, there would be fines.   Therefore the reason why Bruce wasn’t engaging the audience like I mentions.   Anyway, thanks to Audrey for shedding some light on the situation and knowing what I know now, I’m even more grateful for Bruce’s performance.  He could have thrown in the towel and just showed up but he still played a great show.  THANKS Bruce!

Good news for all of us TE fans out there!  A new live 2 CD set, “Center Stage,”  is set to be released April 29th.   Recorded October 2007 in California, “Center Stage” is a compilation of 3 nights recording and the word is that there is a HD DVD coming in the following.   According to CDP, some previously un-recorded songs will be featured like “Ruby Eyes.”

Certified Guitar Player is pre-selling “Center Stage” for $15.95.  I’ve already placed my order, have you?

After a long night of great music at the Swallow Hill Folk and Roots Festival in Denver, Bruce Cockburn was the last to play.  We had quite a long wait after Nanci Griffith’s set, probably about 45 minutes.  Good thing the emcee’s Harry Tuft, Mollie O’Brien and Rich Moore had quite a few songs in the repertoire to keep us entertained.  But we were ready for Bruce and he was finally on stage, just him 3 guitars and a mic.

The show started off a bit tough because the mix was a bit hot and Bruce even mentioned it and asked for the mix to be turned down a bit.  A few songs in, the mix was pretty much dialed in and we were on our way.  As always Bruce’s playing was spot on and that thumb never quits.  Had some great solos on “Stolen Land” and “If a Tree Falls” and surprised me with “Kit Carson” and “Trouble with Normal.   Ended the night with “Rouler sa Bosse” and “Tie Me at the Crossroads.” 

Great show by Bruce, one of the better shows that I have seen him do.  The only thing that was different about Bruce, this time was that he didn’t really converse with the crowd all that much.  He would respond to some of the comments the audience made but wouldn’t offer anything on his own like he usually does.  So sometimes there was an awkward silence when he was tuning or switching guitars.  Maybe because of the long delay before he went on, bad day, etc…  Who knows?  Either way, his performance was awesome and he never fails to deliver.

Set List

1. Last Night of the World
2. See You Tomorrow
3. Lovers in a Dangerous Time
4. Pacing the Cage (wow!)
5. Trouble With Normal
6. Stolen Land
7. Kit Carson
8. Put it in Your Heart
9. If a Tree Falls
10. Wondering Where the Lions Are

Encore:

1. Rouler Sa Boss
2. Tie Me at the Crossroads

Other Bruce Cockburn Concerts I have reviewed:

1. 7.22.03  Boulder Theatre  - Boulder, Colorado (First time I saw Bruce Live)
2. 10.30.05 Gothic Theatre - Denver, Colorado (solo)
3. 8.17.06 Chautauqua Auditorium - Boulder, Colorado (Sarah Harmer, opening act)
4. 8.18.06 Denver Botanic Gardens (Sarah Harmer, opening act)

* I also was at the the November 12, 2003 show at the Paramount Theatre in Denver but didn’t leave submit a review.  Should-of though because he did a version of “Stolen Land” on electric guitar that was amazing.  I remember thinking that he was channeling the spirit of Jimi Hendrix during that song