If you are getting this on Thursday night, you can check out Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band on the Today show on Friday. I think they are repeating it on Sunday if you miss it. I listened to a preview of his new CD, "Magic", and I thought it was pretty good. You too can listen to it HERE. I'm sure it will grow on me as I listen more and especially once I see/hear the songs live. Not making the first leg of the tour because of Will, but will surely catch Bruce and the Band when they return in the spring.
Listening to the album got me thinking about when I have heard music for the first time and it has totally grabbed me. Strangely, as much of a Bruce fan as I am, his albums usually have to grow on me for a while. Also, most of the list of instant "Wow!" songs came around college or shortly thereafter. I wonder if as you get older, it becomes harder to impress because your music vocabulary is larger so there is less of a chance to hear something that somehow touches you unlike anything ever before. Anyway, here is a short list of first-time "grabbers", in no particular order, and probably not all of them:
When Doves Cry - Prince
Smells Like Teen Spirit - Nirvana - I was driving to work when this came on a local college station. I arrived at the parking lot before it was over and had to sit in the car until it ended. Didn't know then that the face of rock 'n roll had changed but did know I had just heard a kick-ass song.
Epic - Faith No More - This was really one of the first times hard rock and rap would be blended and the song was truly epic. Another one where I had to sit in the car until it was over. We all know that the rap/rock thing was eventually doomed to destroy rock radio with the dreadful likes of Limp Bizkit and Linkin Park
Drive - REM - I was working at the radio station at the time the single was released. The program director, who knew I liked REM, handed it to me and asked me to give it a listen. I sat in his office and listened to it three or four times in a row. Still a haunting, powerful song and was very different from what they had done before.
Ocean Size - Jane's Addiction - Can't remember what made me throw this on the turntable while I was dj'ing on my college station. All I remember is when it was done, my mind had been permanently blown. "Nothing's Shocking" would be one of my top albums for the next six months.
Should I Stay or Should I Go - Living Colour - This cover of the Clash song was out before they had released their first album. I was studying in the college library and listening to the college station on my Walkman. This came on and I immediately knew that this was an amazing guitarist and a killer band. Still love Vernon Reid and hopefully he'll do something, Living Colour or otherwise, that will bring him back to Richmond.
Icky Thump - White Stripes - My current rave. The car stereo goes up to 11 when this one comes on. With a guitar riff that Jimmy Page would kill for.
On to this week's events. Henry Rollins will be doing his spoken word thing at the Canal Club on Saturday night. Doors open at 6 and tix are $18.50 in advance and $20 at the door. I always find Henry entertaining. Some of his rants are quite insightful and funny and no one's neck bulges like his.
Delbert McClinton brings his rockin' blues to the State Fair on Sunday night. Show starts at 6 PM and is free with fair admission. You can load up on Fried Pepsi Turnovers (I kid you not, they have these), fried oreos and turkey legs before you go.
You may also want to check out the Italian Festival at Broad & 25th in Church Hill this weekend, on both Saturday and Sunday. We will have beautiful weather and if this is anything like the St. Pat's fest, its a good time and a good event to bring the kids too. Will is still a little too little to bring to something like that or we would be there in a second. Also, with no High on the Hog this year, this may be your last chance to party on the Hill until St. Patrick's Day.
Here is some other stuff going on at Toad's Place:
Marty Stuart
Friday, September 28 8:00pm
Marty Stuart is a country music singer, known for both his traditional style, and eclectic merging of rockabilly, honky tonk, and traditional country music.
Tickets are $27.50/advance, $30/day of show, $35/gold circle
RVA's Fist City Fury
Saturday, September 29 2:00pm
Fist City Fury Music Festival and the Canal Walk Arts Flea Market. Music and demonstrations by Richmond Luche Libre and Capoeira Resistancia inside Toad's Place, an Arts Flea Market on the Canal Walk with acoustic sets by Hoots & Hellmouth and late night DJ dance party. Tickets are available at http://www.rvamag.com/fistcityfury and at all Plan 9 Music locations.
Tickets are $10.00
Andrew Bird
Sunday, September 30 7:00pm
Andrew Bird is a musician, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist, whose musical proficiency includes violin, whistling, guitar, and glockenspiel.
Tickets are $20/advance, $22/day of show
Monday, October 1st 6:30PM
with In This Moment
The Confession
Advance: $37.50 / Day of Show: $40
Wednesday, October 3rd 7PM
with Lucy Wainwright Roche
First floor is seated for this show.
General Admission: $25
That's it for me. Have a great weekend!
Tony Jordan
