The Good Life: December 2022

Wednesday, December 28, 2022

271 -- Straight No Chaser -- Wednesday, December 21, 2022 -- The Theater at MGM National Harbor -- Oxon Hill, MD

Brody’s first concert!

On the one hand, it wasn’t the resounding success of the Straight No Chaser concert in Baltimore with Kevyn, Lisa, and Hark. I knew too few of the songs, they played almost nothing from their first Christmas albums, and an event with a three-year-old remains a slog. A seat without a strap is still a tall order.

That said, Brody was definitely better than he was during Frost Shrek and Woodson football, basketball, and chorus. The band also played a bunch of cool new songs and thrilled us with “12 Days of Christmas” by the end. Here’s a live blog of the rest of the show…

--- Loved hearing flight-attendant tidbits from James Porter on the way to the show. Some people are crazy…

--- Brody insists he won’t explode if he takes a nap in the car. Explodes the moment we park -- on schedule. Recovers a minute later as if nothing had happened. This is my life.

--- Brody, upon arrival at MGM: “Daddy, it’s so BIG. It’s so BIG!”

--- Brody meets Brady! A Frost student of mine comes up to us to say hello. He’s such a good kid.

--- The unannounced opener, T3, plays “Into the Unknown”! I love that Brody’s first concert features a song from his first movie!!

--- Thank God for chicken nuggets. Parceling them out one by one is critical for toddler and parent survival.

--- The filmed montage is funny. It gets a bit strained, but LOL at ending with the pope saying the band’s name!

--- Wow, Jerome Collins is incredible during The Jackson Five’s “Don’t Blame It on the Boogie”!!

--- HA at the Commanders riff. “I thought it was mean that they made the Commanders change their name like that. Based on that product on that field, could they really have been called a football team? Ok, that was mediocre.” I disagree – great joke!!!

--- “One Love”: so smooth. Hahaha, I have Danny in my head asking: “Is this reggae?” Aww, at Brody bringing up King Triton’s Rainbow!!

--- Heh: “absolute silence between intros please.”

--- Louis Armstrong’s “La Vie en Rose”: Aww, Brody keeps repeating “press me.” Nice transition into Nat King Cole’s “L-O-V-E.” The singer’s voice is a bit strained though.

--- Lol at the caustic descriptions of tenor, baritone, and bass. I can’t type fast enough to transcribe them, but HA.

--- Awwww at Brody during the vocal percussionist -- full wonder!!!!

--- Harry Styles' “As It Was” happened.

--- Heh: “This is what I call the African American portion of the evening. There’s about 15 of us in here.”

--- “Proud Mary”!!! It works with Trenyce, it works with Taylor Howard, and it definitely works with Jerome Collins. What talent.

--- “Any Etta James fans out there?” Brody, to the world: “YES!” Lol.

--- I actually Their “Tennessee Whiskey” brings me back to Will Baskin's version in Poetry Club -- so smooth.

--- Love the straight singing of “Creep.” The earnest approach is powerful!!! Heh at a band member describing it as “a real toe tapper.”

“Please support our military and your local PBS station.” Amen.

Brody does the “ooh” and motion along with the "Thriller" / "Uptown Funk" mashup!! He then raises his hand mid song, all serious, and adds “Daddy, it’s so big.”

--- Heh at their Nutcracker takedown and the Tetris during Home Alone.

--- It was only a matter of time: the toddler attention span is starting to rear its head….

--- Wow, the vocal on Kenny Rogers’ “Mary, Did You Know” is incredible!!!! Jerome Collins is by far the best. I need to YouTube it on the way home.

--- There’s a concert first: the last five songs spent at the potty. MGM has a great setup though: full audio in the bathrooms! Plus, no accidents. WIN!

--- We made it back for “Play That Funky Music” and…..“The 12 Days of Christmas”!!! So glad they fit it in.

Grade: B/B+

270 -- Jimmy Eat World -- Wednesday, December 7, 2022 -- The Anthem -- DC

--- “Futures” is good, “Pain” is better, and “Bleed American” is foolproof!!! The crowd isn’t top-tier, but “Bleed American” burns with anyone.

--- “The Anthem is amazing. We’ve never played here before.” This is true. Points for personalization.

--- I wish “All The Way” would not “Stay”!

--- “Big Casino”!! Glad I got to share it with New Jersey Success Story Gail Schiefelbein.

--- I’m “Sure and Certain” there are better songs they could have included.

--- “A Praise Chorus”!!!!! The best rendition of “A Praise Chorus” I’ve heard since my wedding. The audience decided to shift from solid to superstars, singing, feeling every moment. Ben and I leap, sway, and scream the whole way through.

--- Heh, Ben is making me doubt “Big Casino” is on Chase This Light and “Work” is not “23.” Right on both counts.

--- Awwwwww at Ben not being able to go to the bathroom, wanting Tyler to like them, tearing through lyrics left and right, and geeking out on “23”‘s similarities to “Goodbye Sky Harbor”!!!! Love having someone to match my animation/appreciation.

--- “Blister” after “23”!!! Smart placement.

--- “It’s crazy that 30 years later, you still care”!! That we do.

--- “We didn’t have ambitions to have financial stability or freedom. We did for the music -- and you.”

--- “Something Loud” is strong for a new song!

--- “Lucky Denver Mint”: aww at the jumper in front of me who’s all into it. Danny and I both lol. Good for him.

--- And…down goes Frazier. The jumper falls to the floor. My group help him up.

--- I wish "The Middle" had been second-to-last and "Sweetness" last, but as long as we get "Sweetness." It was especially rewarding to see Ben's friend so into the song, livestreaming it for her. It's worth a livestream!!!

--- Aww at talking briefly with Ben and Gail’s group after. I’m almost never with a group at a show, so it’s nice.

--- Awww at a guy listening to songs on his phone in the street on the way back! Plus, Danny and I tear through “Always Be,” “Pass The Baby,” and in the car on the way home!! It’s been a pleasure, Danny: gracias por los recuerdos.

Grade: A

268/269 -- The Struts / Spoon -- Wednesday, December 7, 2022 -- The Anthem -- DC

Danny’s last night out before returning to Mexico was this DC101-derland show featuring The Struts, Spoon, and Jimmy Eat World. An awesome surprise was being joined by Ben Markouk, his friend Tyler, Gail Schiefelbein, her husband Tyler, her grad school roommate, and a fourth friend.

Even better, the group was able to gather feet from the stage, avoiding the view issue that plagued the Minnesota Noah Kahan show. It seemed like we wouldn’t be able to at first, when a random lunatic hissed, “that’s not how concerts work” when I stepped off the rail for a moment ten minutes before the set.

Fortunately, she soon left, and all we settled in. Here’s a live blog of the rest of the show…

--- I love how Luke Spiller, the Struts’ frontman, is giving it his all. In his mind, he’s not an opener. He’s headlining Coachella.

--- “Could Have Been Me” sounds good, and I like how they changed the lyric to “could have been DC.” Wish I’d gotten to see more of them.

On to Spoon:

--- “Wild” is useless. Zero presence.

--- “Cherry Bomb” is better – a lot better.

--- Frontman Britt Daniel attempts to scream “DC!” but his heart’s not in it.

--- “Don’t You Evah”: I blanked out. The charisma was too great to concentrate…

--- “The Way We Get By”: nothing to write home about, but I like it was featured in Everwood. Any reminder of Everwood boosts my mood.

--- “My Mathematical Mind” is spooky cool. Badass keyboardist!!!

--- Ooh, unique intro to “The Underdog.” Such a catchy, enjoyable song. Not something I can often say with Spoon, but I’ll take it!

--- Ben makes it across The Anthem to Stage Right! #Commitment.

--- “My Babe”: better than when we heard it in the car. Solid midtempo change-up. I like that the guy in front of me is into it.

--- “The Hardest Cut”: diverting enough in the moment. No hook or tone to grab onto though. In other words, classic Spoon…

--- The intro to “I Turn My Camera On” sounds eerily like Franz Ferdinand -- especially “Michael.” It goes on too long, but I still dig it.

--- Heh, the drummer’s name is Jimmy Chips. Cool name, plus it reminds me, in less than half an hour, I’m about to hear Jimmy Eat World!!!

--- “Got Nuffin” has an addictive dark mood!!! There’s no flash or histrionics. It’s pure drive.

--- “Rent I Pay”: Odd closer…Weak.

--- Overall, Daniels did try to engage the crowd more than last time, so I’ll add a plus. TIME FOR JIMMY.

The Struts Grade: B+

Spoon Grade: C+

267 -- Noah Kahan -- Sunday, November 5, 2022 -- First Avenue -- Minneapolis, MN

This concert was a major disappointment. It wasn’t a Givers-level gut punch, but it makes me sad whenever I think about it.

This was not the fault of Noah Kahan, the crowd, or Danny. It was mine. Danny and I spent weeks prepping it, literally flying across the country for it . . . and then she couldn’t see the stage. Given how hard tickets were to get for the show, I should have anticipated it being packed, and got there early to reserve a spot up front. Instead, her view was blocked no matter where we went. We could not connect emotionally with most of the songs.

Fortunately, there were still good moments, Kahan is a first-rate performer, I’ll be back on the horse in June, and the rest of the trip was awesome. After the live blog, I’ll include a list of some of the many things that made Minnesota special.

LIVE BLOG:

--- I can’t believe we made it to the show on time. During the walk across Minneapolis, my hands felt like they were about to fall off, and AXS made accessing the tickets as difficult as humanly possible.

--- “False Confidence”!! Can’t go wrong with that song.

--- “All My Love”: not my favorite, but the crowd’s got Beatles energy.

--- Awww at this being a big night for the guitarist since he’s all about Prince. (Prince is from Minneapolis and played many times at First Avenue!) HA at Noah’s bandmate dropping out of college to play for him and one not wanting them to know about his meeting Tom Hanks.

--- “You guys are already loud AF. I’m gonna need that.”

--- “Everything Everywhere”: hahaha at hearing “fingers decompose” as life finally comes back to my fingers.

--- Can’t enjoy “New Perspective,” “Glue Myself Shut,” “Growing Sideways” or “Halloween” as we wander in a fruitless search for a suitable spot.

--- “Maine” slays – maybe in part because it sounds like it’s part of This Is Us!!

--- “Come Over”: Noah’s falsetto!! “Su voz es muy claro…Tiene su propio estilo.”

--- “She Calls Me Back”: really enjoyed it on the album. Ok live.

--- “Passenger”: the crowd loves it.

--- “Carlo’s Song”!! The backstory and the way he comes back acapella at the end can power through anything.

--- “Homesick”!!! The discovery of the night. Fits Danny’s current feelings towards Oaxaca.

--- “Orange Juice”!!! Awesome banjo interlude / song.

--- Aww: “I’ve played this venue six times, and I think this is the first time I’ve sold it out.”

--- “Young Blood”!!! Love his spoken variations at the end. His ability to modulate his voice is unreal.

--- “The View Between Villages”: heh at the audio error. Killer ghost intro.

--- “Stick Season”!!!! The crowd energy and the song itself gives me hope. I will see him again, and it will measure up.

Grade: C

MINNESOTA MEMORIES:

--- At the BWI airport, mentioning to Danny the states on the big map – especially those that would have the biggest impact on the midterm election the following Tuesday.

--- Danny being shocked that mom’s beloved Dr. Oz was running and cracking up at the Hershel Walker police-badge lunacy.

--- The two glorious hours spent prepping food packets at Feed My Starving Children. The energy, efficiency, and positivity at that place was outstanding.

--- The two hours spent distributing toiletries at the homeless shelter afterward. Totally different vibe (more The Wire than The West Wing), just as meaningful.

--- Thin-crust delight, the Work Friend episode of Abbott Elementary, and the Fagan episode of The Crown to end the night.

--- Lifting with Aaron Thom 18 years after our last workout. I felt the nearly-all-bicep routine for days after, but it was worth it. Loved the discussions about Smashing Pumpkins, marriage, politics, William and Mary, “my favorite bar,” and the “Lose Yourself” plank-off at the end. Hope Aaron can return for a workout in Virginia less than 18 years from now!

--- Devouring a Juicy Lucy and more interesting conversation with Aaron and his girlfriend at Matt’s Bar and Grill.

--- Surveying the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden and the Mall of America theme park – which was 20 times bigger than when I visited in high school. Gail Schiefelbein was right to recommend them.

--- Laughing about an earbud miracle, a Cinnabon savior, and the rudest taco woman in the Midwest.

--- Last but not least, seeing 12 Angry Men for the first time in more than a decade. It held 100% held up and got better. Danny’s experience with the court system in Oaxaca added another layer.

266 -- Arcade Fire -- Friday, October 28, 2022 -- The Anthem -- DC

--- “Age of Anxiety 1”: still mediocre.

--- “Black Mirror”: I’m shocked and thrilled to hear it. I went through endless setlists to prep for the show, and I’m not sure they’ve played it in years! Danny’s into it too!!!

--- “No Cars Go”!!!! Epic. Apparently it’s one of the first songs they ever wrote. When I get home, I need to check out Foo Fighters’ cover. [Update: apparently Foo Fighters covered "Keep The Car Running," another great song. Linked here are the Arcade version and the Foo version.]

--- “Neon Bible”?! Are they designing this entire setlist for me personally?! It’s actually much better on the album, but love the boldness.

--- Omg, “My Body is Cage,” all old stuff!!! I actually hate it on the album, and this is my favorite version ever. Has identical vocal strength, but it’s so dark and different than the rest, so it works.

--- “Afterlife” is not a great song, but ~disco is another cool shift. LOL at Danny doing a Travolta Saturday Night Fever impression.

--- “Reflektor”: estilo que chulo!! Nice keyboard solo towards the end.

--- “Age of Anxiety 2 [Rabbit Hole]” works much better than the album because, once again, it’s a change -- this time to ballad and electronica.

--- “The Lightning 1” features maybe the coolest visual intro I’ve ever seen!!!! 2 then amps up the energy before “Rebellion (Lies), “Haiti,” and “Keep the Car Running” take the roof off!!!! Love the dreadlocks guy running around with the Haiti flag and Win describing how they’ll spend the rest of their lives indebted to Haiti.

---- “Ready To Start”!!!!! Nothing deep or thematic — I just love it. The notes throttle through me.

--- “We are extremely lucky to do this and don’t take it for granted for an f’ing minute.”

--- “The Suburbs”: heh, a chance to catch our breaths. Low energy, catchy.

--- “Unconditional (Lookout Kid)”!!! Upbeat, wise, a new color yet again. Hahahahahaha at the inflatable rainbow gumbies. Recalls Brody: “what is that?!”

--- “Mountains 2 (The Sprawl)”: by far my favorite version!!!! So smooth and fun. A band member is now dancing feet from us. Wooo. Hahahaha at “cut the light.”

--- Wow, “Everything Now” is not a song to leave on. Oh well. Woo for the encore.

--- The maquina toca en su propio?!

--- “End of the Empire” works much better here. Vulnerable. Shades of the end of the Paul McCartney finale. Love the transition to dark opera by the end.

--- “Ocean of Noise” / “Wake Up”!!!!! Awww at the woman behind me – she’s in a blue disco wonderland. The contrast in the style, tone, and fame of the two songs is brilliant. Aww at them communing with the crowd as they walk to Sugar Boy And His Cane Cutters’s “Iko Iko.” Pitch-perfect coda.

Grade: A+

265 -- ‘Bruce Springsteen’ at Paul Verbesey’s ‘Surprise’ Party -- Saturday, October 15, 2022 -- Hill Country BBQ -- DC

This Bruce ‘concert’ was not a traditional show featuring The E Street Band. It was a much-delayed (much-anticipated!) birthday party for perhaps the world’s biggest Springsteen fan, Paul Verbesey. No one could replace Bruce, but the cover band did a great job, as did Jenn Verbesey arranging the whole thing.

Here are my top moments:

— Arriving, finding that Danny Verbesey and Jonny Verbesey were there. Woo for last-minute Pittsburgh / Ohio State road trips. Glad I wore my Jets jacket.

— Kevin, upon seeing my jacket and River tour t-shirt underneath: “That has to be my all-time favorite outfit.”

— Finally meeting Adam, talking more with Julia than ever before

— Karen Ehlin telling me at the bar not to “give away who’s downstairs — Paul doesn’t know.” I literally stopped talking (and breathing) for ten seconds, assuming she meant the giant surprise was The Boss himself — that an hour from then I’d have the meeting of my life. The band ended up being more than enough, but lol at the misunderstanding.

— Hearing from Mike McDonald about his son’s first year at William and Mary. Remembering “Atlantic City” with him at the Meadowlands 14(!) years earlier.

— Hearing from numerous people I didn’t know about their favorite Bruce memories.

The decades-old shirts alone made me misty.

— Live streaming “Hungry Heart” for Aunt Mary – it’s her favorite Bruce song.

— Bonding with Danny, Jonny, and Julia about studying abroad, Three Identical Strangers, and rare people who are impossible to talk to. After three years apart (thanks, Covid), it was a super-satisfying cousin reunion.

— The delicious buffet at Hill Country and the staff’s determination to get me a doggy bag to take home to Danny Ibanez. I wish Danny could have been there, but the food and songs before and after made up for it.

— Watching Hark once again make seniors’ nights, dancing up a storm with them. That and the lights-on “Born To Run” brought me back to Williamsburg. Lucky Evelyn was not there to nearly ruin the lead-in. I’m amazed “Unchained Melody” and “Born To Run” survived.

— Gathering the (liquid) courage to join Debbie, Jenn, Suzanne, and the rest of the family on the dance floor. By the end, I was bopping along to every song. What a night.

Grade: A

500+ photos narrowed down to 50!