Musical ambitions?

Bob-Dubery · 2010-02-08T08:54:11+00:00

Do you have a list of artists that you want to see, feel that you MUST see? There are quite a lot of artists that I would see if I got the chance, the list of those that I really BURN to see is a bit shorter. No prizes for guessing one of the names on my list - and he's ticked off anyway, I've seen him three times now though I wouldn't turn my nose up if the opportunity came my way again. Last year I was making vague mumbling noises about making a trip to the USA in the "fall" (as they so quaintly call it). In the end we headed for England again and I took the opportunity to see Bruce Molksy and The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain, both of whom were fab but were not on the list of people that I would die regretting I had not witnessed. In October, when I'd intended to go to the east coast of the USA, Thompson was touring the same area. But not any tour. A double bill with Loudon Wainwright III. Now Wainwright, who I regard as one of the finest songwriters of the last 40 years, is another name on my short list of artists that I would really want to witness live and would go out of my way to see. So if I'd stuck to my plans I would have not only seen Thompson in concert again (not an unattractive prospect for me) but also would have got to see Wainwright. Should have stuck to the plan.... I am ruminating on this because I see that the "Loud And Rich" tour has been revived for this (Northern hemisphere) spring. I can't see how I could make it, but the itch is there. I draw a distinction between the many acts that I would see if our paths crossed (Bruce Cockburn for example. or John Hiatt) and those whose music resonates so deeply with me (or within me) that I really feel I need to make the pilgrimage. That latter category is small, which is fine by me. I exclude from my list-making artists that I would never have got the chance to see EG Hendrix. Do you have such a list? Who is on it?

lindsmuse

You saw the 'Dead Live(still one of the best album names, the 1969 Live/Dead)? Must have been an experience. I saw John Martyn in 2007 in Basingstoke UK, it was my first experience of a concert abroad so it was a magical experience for me, even more so, that he died not long after that.

I actually never knew Grateful Dead's music that well so perhaps I can't really say. But I remember thinking - 'they're not so hot - they're actually boring'. Decay is perhaps the stage they were at - tired. (Early 80's)Lots of hype because of what they represented. It might be interesting to see a well-made movie about them. I read and article in a New Yorker sometime back where Jerry Garcia more or less apologises for all the drug-usage he and his band set in motion. I wonder with them if you just HAD to be stoned to enjoy them.

John Martyn (early 80s)- he was plonked on a stage - school hall style - with us the audience - as if we were at assembly - it may have been Drury Lane or something. Anyway there was absolutely NO ambiance, no vibe. And he seemed a bit tetchy. But I loved him and always will. What the hell!

singemonkey

I was involved with a woman who used to sneak into the States from Canada - pretending to be at her buddy's house - to see the Dead. That was the early 90s. There were good shows and bad shows, but enough good ones that she and her friends were just insanely loyal to the band, and really cut up when Garcia died. It was music that could take you on a trip - on acid or off - and a lifestyle club at the same time. She had about four big boxes of taped shows ?

I don't know if the Dead got anyone to take drugs who wouldn't have otherwise, it's just that they were the de facto carriers of 60s counter-culture - a little boat that kept sailing out of that decade, with all the strict adherents on board, picking up refugees where they could. The real sadness was the contrast between Garcia's hippy father christmas vibes, and his miserable life living on, "heroine and haagen-das."

[deleted]

I saw a whole documentary dedicated to Garcia's bluegrass, folk and seafarers' songs, completely discrete from his work with the Dead. And he didn't come off as a hippy father christmas at all. Bizarro.

Jack-Flash-Jr

singemonkey wrote Got a few reminders now:

I'd also love to see:

The Queens of the Stone Age
The White Stripes
AC/DC

Saw Queens of the Stone Age original line up on a bill with Ben Harper (hell yeah), Blur, Beastie Boys and a bunch of other bands at Coachella a few years ago. Missed Day 2 with Iggy, White Stripes. Still bummed. QOTSA were as good as I hoped! Heard The White Stripes doing a free out door lunch time gig in NY round the corner from where I worked... so pissed I didn't just skip out to see them!! A curse I tell ya.

Want to see ACDC, Bob D, The Black Angels, Clutch, The Dead Weather, Black Crowes (saw Chris R solo and Rich R solo), Motorhead, the Stones (again) but in a smaller venue... hell, I want to see almost any band you'd care to mention.

Bob-Dubery

What I was thinking of were the bands you HAVE to see. The guys that if you didn't see them you'd be lying on your death bed KNOWING that your life has been incomplete because you didn't see ........ in concert.

Jack-Flash-Jr

X-rated Bob wrote What I was thinking of were the bands you HAVE to see. The guys that if you didn't see them you'd be lying on your death bed KNOWING that your life has been incomplete because you didn't see ........ in concert.

Aaaaaaah.
Led Zeppelin. ☹
The Jimi Hendrix Experience and Band of Gypsys. ☹
Rolling Stones small venue. There is hope.
ACDC. There is hope.
Faith No More. There is hope.
Bob Dylan. Thank God for the Never Ending Tour... there is hope.
Suicidal Tendencies ☹ but you never know.
Ben Harper. Tick. ?

arjunmenon

Al DiMeola
Guthrie Govan
Sting / Police
Billy Cobham
Return to Forever
John McLaughlin
Greg Howe + Victor Wooten + Dennis Chambers
Steve Morse

Fingerpicker

On my list remain:
Paul Simon
Monte Mongomery

I have seen most of my favourites:
Bob Dylan
Crosby Stills and Nash
Magna Carta
Doyle Dykes

Missed one of my favourites when they were here:
Mark Knopfler

Saw Dylan totally by chance. I was in a music shop in Ashland, Oregon, USA where I was doing a bicycle frame building course. While jamming with the owner, he asked me if I was going to see Bob Dylan. WWHHHAAAAAAATTT!!!! I said.
Anyway it turned out that he would be playing in Medford, a few miles away. I was not expecting much, the remnants of Grateful Dead were opening, but when the little man came on stage, 10,000 people in the sand floored agricultural shed went absolutely apeshit. He mesmerised the crowd for two hours. Never said a word. It was as if I had personally chosen the songs. He was absolutely overwhelming.
I left there looking like I'd been hit on the head with a frozen snoek.

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