From 1990 on, the last part of the My Concert series (I'll continue to update this):
November 14, 1997
U2
Smashmouth
Pro Player Stadium
Miami, FL
Took the THC daughter and two of her friends. Although we were quite a way from the stage our seats were directly in line with the speakers and it was incredibly loud (and I like loud music). My ears were full of static for several days after.
August 20, 2001
Crosby, Stills and Nash
Oakdale Theater
Wallingford, CT
Talked into going to this by my sister. Thought CSN would sound outdated and they had this reputation back in their heyday of not sounding good in concert. I went and I was wrong. Very good show. Their harmonies were tight and David Crosby's tenor was strong and beautiful. Suite: Judy Blue Eyes was about 10 times better than the recorded version.
June 15, 2002
Elvis Costello & The Imposters
Oakdale Theater
Wallingford, CT
When I Was Cruel tour. The Imposters were The Attractions without bassist Bruce Thomas, who'd been fired by Elvis. Another terrific Costello concert with three encores, the final one ending with Lipstick Vogue followed by I Want You, which is a very, very creepy ballad and a very, very odd, but Elvis-like choice, to end a concert.
September 10, 2003
Steely Dan
Oakdale Theater
Wallingford, CT
Good, solid but not great show by one of my favorite bands.
July 14, 2007
Los Lonely Boys
New Haven Green
New Haven, CT
An outdoor, free concert on the Green in downtown New Haven on a balmy summer evening, sitting on the grass and listening to Henry, JoJo and Ringo Garza, the brothers of Los Lonely Boys. Guitar-driven improvising, climaxed with a 20+ minute version of Onda. Felt like I was back in 1971. Very underrated band that was not as popular as it should have been.
April 15, 2008
Elvis Costello
Tony Bennett
Saturday Night Live Studio
NBC 30 Rock
New York City
In 2008-9, Elvis filmed 20 shows for Spectacle TV in which he interviewed other musicians and then they performed separately and together. Filming was done in the Saturday Night Live Studio, which was cordoned off into a smaller area with seating for about 250-300 people. At the time, I worked for GE which owned NBC and a couple of people at 30 Rock knew I was an Elvis fan and got me tickets so I took Mrs THC and two close friends. Tony Bennett was immensely cool. He sang The Way You Look Tonight. His voice was no longer what it once was, but he sang that song so beautifully I teared up. Elvis is a fine interviewer and the conversation was lively. Diana Krall, Elvis' wife was seated in front of us (we were three rows from the stage) and Tony impulsively went out into the audience and pulled her up to perform a song with him. A memorable evening.
May 28, 2009
Robert Randolph & The Family Band
Tarrytown Music Hall
Tarrytown NY
Robert Randolph is a unique entertainer and along with The Family Band one of the best club and party acts you will ever see. Everyone in the audience was standing for the entire show. Randolph plays pedal steel like lead guitar.
June 10, 2009
Elvis Costello
Beacon Theater
New York City
The Sulphur to Sugarcane tour with Elvis supported by a country band with no drummer. Excellent, as usual. 32 songs, including encores. Highlight was The Delivery Man.
March 5, 2014
Robert Randolph & The Family Band
Crescent Ballroom
Phoenix, AZ
Mrs THC and I raised the average age in the club by several years. Awesome show by the awesome Robert Randolph. Here's a clip from that show.
June 15, 2014
Kenny Wayne Shepherd featuring Robert Randolph
Ridgefield Playhouse
Ridgefield, CT
Ace guitarist Shepherd and ace pedal steel player Randolph, a dynamite combo.
August 14, 2014
Tedeschi Trucks Band
Simsbury Meadows
Simsbury CT
Susan Tedeschi's voice and Derek Truck, master of the slide guitar, are a perfect pair, as husband and wife and musicians. Unexpectedly started off with a creative cover of Traffic's Who Knows What Tomorrow Will Bring.
April 8, 2016
Elvis Costello
Larkin Poe
Mesa Arts Center
Mesa Arts Center
Mesa, AZ
Mostly an Elvis solo show, with occasional backing by Larkin Poe and Nils Lofgren. Heavy media with clips of Elvis' musician dad and Elvis in his early days. Reimagined versions of songs from his huge catalogue. This venue was designed for concerts and the sound quality was amazing. We were in the last row of the 4th balcony and the sound was crystal clear.
September 2017
Los Lobos
Criterion Theatre
Bar Harbor, Maine
A fun time in a small venue (several hundred seats). Thirty years after first seeing them, the band still sounded good and David Hidalgo's voice had held up well.
November 2017
Tedeschi Trucks Band
Orpheum Theater
Phoenix, AZ
November 16, 2019
The Black Keys
Talking Stick Resort Arena
Phoenix AZ
This was one fine rock n roll show. The sound quality was clear and crisp, particularly for large arena.
November 5, 2021
Tommy Emmanuel
Mesa Arts Center
Mesa AZ
Back to live music! What a great guitarist and showman.
November 10, 2021
Elvis Costello & The Imposters
Federal Theater
Phoenix AZ
Elvis once again. No opening act. Played for 2 1/2 hours. New stuff, old stuff, in between stuff. His voice is not what it once was, but still a fine show. Played half the songs I heard at his first concert in 1977.
May 17, 2023
Billy Strings
Financial Theater
Phoenix AZ
Had wanted to see Billy since discovering him in the fall of 2021. Outstanding show. Nearly three hours highlighted by a 30 minute combo of several songs including Hide and Seek. Incredible guitarist and the players in his band (banjo, fiddle, upright bass, mandolin) are just as good.
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