Scene and Heard

For the first time since his visit to Louisville at Farm Aid in 1995, Neil Young returned to Louisville. He played only four songs that day in Cardinal Stadium.His last appearance prior to that was in 1983 when he collapsed from flu symptoms  half way through a show in Commonwealth Convention Center causing a near riot. Sunshine Promotions promised a rescheduled show but that never occurred.

The 64 year old music legend spent his 90 minute show wandering the stage playing a variety of instruments and mixings songs from his music catalogue that spans five decades.

His strong voice was majestic and his musical talent is incredible. 

The show had many emotional moments from nearly tears on”I Believe in You” to chills on “After the Gold Rush”. The entire crowd was ready to march after “Ohio”

There were complaints in the local media about the high price of tickets $85-250 each. I spoke to fans after the show most agreed it was a priceless show and would pay every penny to see it again.

Young has earned the right to do and play what he feels. His fans understand that he is a complicated musical genius and what ever he does will be an exciting musical trip.

Set List

My My, Hey Hey (Out Of The Blue) acoustic

Tell Me Why acoustic

Helpless acoustic

You Never Call

Peaceful Valley

Love And War

Down By The River “Old Black” 1953 Gibson Les Paul

Hitchhiker ” Old Black” 1953 Gibson Les Paul

Ohio White  Gretsch Guitar

Sign Of Love

Leia piano

After The Gold Rush Pump Organ

I Believe In You grand piano

Rumblin’

Cortez The Killer

Cinnamon Girl

Encore

Walk With Me

The eccentric, two time Rock and Roll Hall of Famer does things his own way. Restricting drink and food from the theater and repeating announcing to turn cell phones off.

Kevin Skinner

George Jones filled up Horseshoe Casino’soutdoor venue , as this years Summer Concert Series kicked off.

Unlike Friday evening’s Chicago concert, which was nearly washed out by severe thunderstorms, it was a beautiful night. Loyal fans filled he venue to have the opportunity to see a Legend of country music perform.

Jones at 79, complained of allergies, but did show up to the delight of his fans. He ran through his long list of hits as the older crowd sang with him. His songs of drinking and heartbreak still have their impact even if the famous voice has slipped a bit over the years.

The show was opened by “America’s Got Talent Winner”, Kevin Skinner who warmed up the crowd mixing his tunes with covers of Lynard Skynard and Garth Brooks.

See more photos @ http://mikeseye.phanfare.com

When Chicago released its first album in 1969, they weren’t sure how the public would react to a rock band that was dominated by horns. 40 years later the band has sold over 100,000,000 albums including 21 top ten singles, 11 of them were number one. Twenty five of their 32 albums have gone platinum and the band has 47 gold and platinum awards.

Fans braved a soggy night filled with severe thunderstorms and a hour and a half delay to see the current version of the band containing four original members, keyboard and vocalists Robert Lamm, the horn section of Lee Loughnane , Walt Parazaider, and Jame Pankow. The original members showed their love of entertaining by dancing and energizing the crowd.

They were joined by newer members bassist Jason Scheff , who did a great job handling the vocals on songs by departed member Peter Cetera, and Keith Howland on Guitar.

The band continues to deliver a strong performance. This night mixing the early music with their later hits. Legendary songs such as, “Make Me Smile”, “Color my World” , “I am a Man” and “25 to 6 to 4” blended nicely with, their later hits, “Saturday in the Park”, “Your My Inspiration” and “Hard to Say I am Sorry”.

The band has a Grammy, multiple American Music Awards and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. It’s hard to believe the haven’t been elected to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Three and a half years in the making, the efforts of writing and recording THERE IS NO ENEMY led Built to Spill founder Doug Martsch to wonder whether this would be the last album he ever makes. As his wife, I watched him work, pouring hour after hour , day after day into writing. Song lyrics were labored over then thrown in the trash, guitar parts revised again (and again). A musician and artist like Doug edits far more than he keeps.

For over twenty years, Doug Martsch has been writing and recording music. Built to Spill members Brett Nelson (bass), Scott Plouf (drums) Jim Roth (guitar), and Brett Netson (guitar) have all been musicians for two decades. That adds up to more than a century. Doug’s strong aesthetic combines with the band members’ mix of approaches to create an aural topography. Doug sets course and navigates. Each member of Built to Spill comes to the music with a different set of expectations and ideals.

With the complexity and variety of music they have created, Built to Spill endeavors to make songs interesting to themselves and their audience. They hope that the band will remain special and that people will discover the music for themselves. Year after year, new fans show up. Just like the band members, listeners come to the music with expectations and ideals. They make up their own ideas about the songs.

I once overheard Doug on the phone being interviewed. He sounded almost stand-offish in not “telling” an interviewer the meaning of a song or describing its origin. Doug and I have speculated about this sometimes: meaning (whether intended or not )is not inherent in lyrics or in any art. Listening, looking closely, and responding with one’s feelings, thoughts, and senses transforms. Doug simply does wish to disrupt any meaning someone else has found.

I can barely repress the urge to tell you what THERE IS NO ENEMY means to me. When making the new record, Doug literally lived in the studio. To be able to work all day and all night. To spend hours and hours laying down guitar tracks he realized he couldn’t use since the first live takes had the best tone and feel. To undigitally remix the record. With so much work behind the band, the record is here. Now comes the album’s journey into the world. This venture Built to Spill does not map out. The record is yours to respond to.

When I listen to songs Doug writes and the whole band plays, I think, “How can people make music this good?” Even though I witness and minorly assist, I still do not understand how theirs or any beloved music comes into the world. To me, the process and result are magic.

BUILT TO SPILL:
Doug Martsch • guitars, vocals / Brett Nelson • guitars / Jim Roth • guitars / Brett Nelson • bass / Scott Plouf • drums

www.builttospill.com

Sunday, August 29 2010
Headliners
All Ages / 8pm (doors 7pm)

LOUISVILLE, KY – The Forecastle Festival and Nederlander Entertainment are pleased to announce (75) additional artists to the 9th annual festival, July 9 – 11 at Waterfront Park in downtown Louisville, KY. The initial artist schedule has also been released.

DEVO, Cake, She & Him, Umphrey’s McGee, Against Me!, Grace Potter and The Nocturnals, Manchester Orchestra, and many more bands will join previously announced artists The Flaming Lips, Widespread Panic, Spoon, Drive-by Truckers, Bassnectar, Minus the Bear, a reunited Cap ‘n Jazz, and more. Also making their Forecastle debut is a rare daily / nightly performance by “Cirque Berzerk” – a Los-Angeles based circus extravaganza combining aerial acrobatics and French burlesque with punk rock influences. Forecastle will be the first major festival they have performed at apart from Burning Man in Black Rock, Nevada.

Another major artist announcement is coming soon, as well as art and activism lineups, keynote speaker, film schedule, outdoor activities, kick-off parties, and complete festival schedule including hourly breakdowns of all performances and activities. Big Gigantic and Ana Sia will perform on the Belle of Louisville for the Friday night after party and EOTO will perform on the Belle of Louisville for the Saturday night after party. After party tickets are on sale now.

The initial schedule is available on the festival website: www.ForecastleFest.com, along with a breakdown of bands, including live performance videos.

Three day passes, priced at $150, and single day tickets, priced at $60, are on sale now at www.ticketmaster.com or charge by phone at 1-800-745-3000. They are also available at ear-X-tacy in Louisville, Shake-It Records in Cincinnati, CD Central in Lexington, Indy CD and Vinyl in Indianapolis, and Grimey’s in Nashville. VIP packages and other premium ticketing options are also available, as well as campground accommodations and on-site hotel rooms. Visit www.forecastlefest.com for details, along with directions, campground and lodging information, and more!