Top 15 Concert Memories

I've been reading Todd Carey's Ping playlists over the last few weeks and have really enjoyed seeing what he's listening to and why, finding some great new music along the way, and I thought for a moment that I might want to do my own list. And so, thanks to TC's challenge, here we go...

I decided my list needed a theme or I'd just be listing hundreds of songs I think are awesome, and I started thinking about concerts I'd been to and decided to create a playlist of my top 10 (okay 15 because I couldn't narrow it down!) concert memories. They are in order by when I saw the concert...I found the best videos I could...some mine, some the official videos, some from other people...enjoy!

1 - Al Jarreau - Roof Garden - Saw him live at Red Rocks in 1984. It really doesn't get much more awesome than Red Rocks, and his voice...so pure, so perfect. Hearing this song now takes me right back to that moment.

2 - Boyz II Men - Motownphilly - Saw them in Pittsburgh in 1992 open for Jodeci who were the opener for MC Hammer. Yeah. They were brand new. And all kinds of awesome! Their harmonies were spot on and I love that I saw them when they were first starting out.

3 - Luther Vandross - A House Is Not A Home - Saw him in Pittsburgh in 1992 also and he did not disappoint. We lost a great voice when Luther died, and this song live was simply amazing. It can bring me to tears even today.

4 - Public Enemy - Fight the Power - They opened for U2 on the ZooTV tour, and I saw it in Chicago in 1993 (I think...maybe 1992). I probably wouldn't have gone to see them on their own but wow. They could perform! Great lyrics, great presence...still love this song.

5 - Burlap to Cashmere - Basic Instructions - This band only recently came back on the scene, and I am so glad! I saw them tour off their first album in 2000 in San Francisco (The Warfield) and I honestly don't think I've ever seen anyone play guitar like them. Their hands moved so unbelievably fast that I really thought I was seeing things. This song always reminds me of that night, and I've still never seen anyone else play like that.

6 - Third Day - Agnus Dei - I first saw Third Day in 2000 at Marine World in California, and this is the song they ended their show with. It was quite possibly the most moving experience I've ever had at a concert and thinking about it now just gave me chills. One of my all-time favorite bands who I have actually seen more than ten times now, but I will certainly never forget that first show.

7 - Train - When I Look to the Sky - In 2004 Train played 4 or 5 shows at this tiny little club in San Francisco called Cafe du Nord. It might hold 200 people. We were lucky enough to get tix for the Friday night show and wow. It was AMAZING! I could have honestly picked any song from that night, but this is one of my favorites and seeing them perform it live and being so close to them was truly great. However, the best part of the night was being handed a cd of the first two-thirds of the show when we walked out. Yeah. Very few people have that cd. So very cool.

8 - Switchfoot - On Fire - Another band that I have seen more than 10 times, and they play this at every show, but I remember the first time I saw them at The Warfield in San Francisco. Truly amazing showmen and phenomenal musicians. So much energy! This song moves me so deeply...I couldn't even describe it in words if I tried. Switchfoot live is something everyone should experience at least once.

9 - U2 - Where the Streets Have No Name - My memory of this song at a U2 concert is actually from the second time I saw them, which was in San Jose in 2005 on their Vertigo tour. I always loved this song before that show, but something about the way the stage lights moved and the swell of the crowd noise when The Edge starts playing the very famous opening riff...wow. It was spine tingling and it is now one of my absolute favorite U2 songs and the thing I remember most about that show.

10 - Matt Nathanson - Still - If you've never seen Matt in concert, make plans to do so immediately. It's so much more than just a concert. The man is hilarious and can, in one night, make me laugh until my sides hurt and bring me near tears. The performance of Still I'm remembering is from a radio show he played on Halloween at a tiny place in San Francisco called The Slide Lounge. It was about as close to perfect as a person can get. Watching his emotion as he sang the words that I knew by heart made it so much more special for me. Of course, the fact that in the middle of the show we had a 1-2 minute exchange about my phone made the night fairly memorable too...

11 - JJ Heller - Love Me - I've seen JJ perform this many times, and while I can't pinpoint a specific date, I just know that it never ceases to move me. She has since re-recorded this and renamed it What Love Really Means, but I will always know it as Love Me. The words are so pure and so real, and I can't help but think part of it was written just for me. JJ and her husband Dave are longtime friends and I can only smile when I hear their music now...could not be more happy for them.

12 - Kelly Clarkson - Sober - I saw Kelly sing this live in San Jose in late 2009 and wow. The song hadn't done a lot for me on the record but hearing it live changed my attitude completely. Simply amazing. The woman can just flat out sing.

13 - Billy Joel - Scenes from An Italian Restaurant - Hands down my favorite Billy song, and while I've seen him sing it live several times I'm remembering the last time, in San Jose in 2010. Billy is pure rock and roll and this song embodies all of it. Absolutely awesome.

14 - Elton John - Levon - I've seen Elton several times too, but I don't ever remember him performing Levon until the last time I saw him, which was in San Jose in 2010. I only need to hear the introductory notes and I'm completely lost in the song. It's always been a very moving song to me, and I will never forget him doing it live that night.

15 - Todd Carey - Photograph - Since my list was inspired by Todd I certainly couldn't leave him off of it, but believe me, he would have made it either way. In a little less than 6 months in 2010/2011 I saw TC in concert 3 times, but there is nothing I will ever remember more than him playing Photograph - my absolute favorite of his songs - in the green room in this tiny little club in DC called The Red Palace. Truly a night I will never forget.

So, there you have it...maybe I'll do another one of these some day...we'll see...

And then the drunk girl fell on me...

You just never know what you're going to find at a concert. Hopefully you'll find some great music and maybe a cute guy to sit next to who didn't happen to come with a cute girl - yeah, that's never actually happened to me. I'm just saying it might be something you HOPE happens. Maybe you'll find yourself shaking hands with the lead singer of your favorite band - yes, that did happen to me - or capturing a fun moment with film. What you hope you don't find is Drunky McDrunkerson suddenly appearing and attempting to sing and dance before falling on you. No. You hope to never find that.

I took in the Green River Ordinance / Switchfoot / Goo Goo Dolls show last night in Concord at the Sleep Train Pavilion. I'd never been there before and wow, it's WAY the heck out there. I thought the CSU East Bay Concord campus was far, but this is beyond that! FAR!

So things gets started and Green River Ordinance was great - my first time seeing them - and Switchfoot rocked our faces off like they always do - my 10th time seeing them. Seriously. Full on ROCK SHOW!!! No one was sitting next to me during GRO, but then a couple of teenage boys showed up for the 'foot, and they were perfectly nice - good, clean cut Switchfoot fans. And we watched. And we rocked. And then they left but returned for Goo Goo Dolls. And the Goo rocked - 3rd time seeing them - as they always do, and everything was going great. 

And then the drunk girl fell on me...

I'm not exactly sure where she came from, but my seat was on the end of the aisle in the front row of the section, and next to me, was a fairly big open space that led up the stairs. That's where she materialized, and at first, she was just taking some pictures or video and sort of swaying to the music. It seemed rather normal. 

And then...she fell...right into me, stepping on my foot in the process, dropping her camera, her big giant bag and whatever she was drinking - thankfully nothing spilled...probably because she already drank it all. So she crawled around on the ground trying to collect the crap that fell out of her bag and the kid next to me asked if he wanted me to get someone, and I told him we probably should, but then she popped back up like nothing happened and we both asked her if she's okay and she just smiles. And wow. She is DRUNK.

So we watched her as she took video of the stage and then, sort of leaned back and pointed the camera toward the sky and then the ground and back to the stage and wow. I can just imagine what her videos of the night must look like. And all along she's singing along - BADLY, and the teenagers and I are trying not to laugh because while it was totally sad that someone would let themselves get that drunk, it was also a little bit funny.

Between songs Drunky started whispering to me...something about being in love with someone for 11 years - maybe Johnny, the lead singer of the Goo, not sure - and how she'd been waiting forever for that night. And then she thrust her camera into my hands and leaned back against the rail like she wants me to take her picture. Yeah. I couldn't even figure out how to turn it on, but amazingly, she figured that out and so, I took a couple of pictures. She says, "I trust you. You're my girl." Oooookay. Sure. Why not? 

And then, I'm pretty sure she took some pictures of us sitting in the front row. That'll be fun for her later.

Her drunken videography, singing and swaying continued and more than once she dropped the camera. And oh yeah, she fell again too. Right into me. Again. At one point she just sat down, and I honestly couldn't believe no security folks came by during this whole episode. They'd been everywhere earlier in the night, but no. They were nowhere to be found.

When the concert ended, she dropped the bottles that probably contained her drinks of choice and wandered away. The kid sitting next to me was actually really nice, asking me if I was okay, and then I saw them pick up her containers and take them to her- and I think he actually took some video of Drunky, which I thought was hilarious. Before I left, I saw her in the bathroom and was thankful that she'd found her friends and that they didn't seem to be in the same shape she was. This girl could barely stand up, and while she did provide some entertainment, in the end, I just felt sad for her. 

I don't drink. I've never had anything alcoholic to drink. I'm not opposed to it, but I don't understand the excess of it. It seems perfectly fine to have a glass of wine or two, or maybe some sort of mixed drink or a beer, but I just don't get why you'd want to get so drunk that you don't even remember what you did. Or so drunk that you actually hurt yourself or someone else. I've seen numerous people in this state in my life and it's never made any sense. I get that people make stupid decisions, especially when they're young and think they're invincible, and maybe that's all this was. Maybe she woke up this morning with a wicked hangover and looked at her pictures and video and realized how bad off she was and vowed to never do it again. Maybe her friends told her what an idiot she was and how dangerous what she was doing was. Maybe she woke up thinking, "Hey. I wonder if that girl I fell on is okay?"

Maybe...

The 'foot never fails me

Oh Switchfoot. How I love thee. You never cease to bring the rock. I could have used about two more hours of you tonight.

This was the 9th time for me to see Switchfoot in concert. There's no one I've seen more, and I can't wait to see them again!!

What was different about tonight was that they were the opening band, and when they were done? We left. I think that's the first time I've ever done that. But the fact is, we were only there for the 'foot. Blue October? Yeah. Just not that interested. It's weird to be home this early from a concert. But I'm okay with it. Extra sleep? Yes. I will take that.

Two more concerts this month...one band I've seen before - Daughtry...saw them open for Bon Jovi on their last tour. It will be my first time seeing Green Day, and I'm pretty excited about that. Small venue for Daughtry, big one for Green Day. And, they're two days apart. Should be quite the week!

Until then, I'm going to rest up...and go see the Giants play tomorrow.

Enjoy this little video from the Switchfoot concert tonight...first time using the video function on my camera...not bad! I have one more video which I'll try to post tomorrow...it was taking too long and my body needs sleep. Until then...

The first step is admitting your addiction...

My name is Carrie, and I'm addicted to music...all kinds of music, but especially live music. As many of you know, I'm a concert junkie...an addict, if you will. When each new year begins, I wonder which of my favorite bands will tour and how many will come to the Bay Area so I can see them in person. So many bypass us that I typically start the year as a skeptic thinking that this will be the year I don't get to see anyone in concert. But then...I'm surprised...and excited...and full of concert tickets!! Oh yes. I feed my addiction. And it is JOY!

Here we are in July, and so far, I've seen only 2 concerts. But oh. They were joyous. They were both the same tour...Third Day, with Revive & Brandon Heath. One in Modesto and one in Fresno. But now, the real fun begins...

• July - Matt Nathanson (that's tomorrow!)
• August - Switchfoot, Green Day, Daughtry
• September - Pink
• October - Rob Thomas, U2
• November - Billy Joel/Elton John, Kelly Clarkson

Crazy, right? Yes. I'm completely addicted to concerts!! That's nine concerts in five months. NINE!! But I don't care. There is nothing like live music. Nothing.

I wonder who might be on tour in December...

So, what concerts are YOU attending this year?

It'll be a day like this one...

...when the world caves in...when the world caves in...when the world caves in...

This line is from a Switchfoot song called The Blues, and while it's a bit dark, I think it has some of the most telling lyrics about our world today...what we're doing...where we're going. Whenever it comes on my pod, I stop what I'm doing and listen to the words. I don't do that enough with music...but maybe that's because so few lyrics move me like these. Take a listen (or a read) and let me know what you think.

Ya know, Switchfoot has some of the best lyrics around...check out a few samples:

• On Fire: I'm standing on the edge of me...standing on the edge of everything I've never been before
• Redemption: With my fist down at your feet, I was running out of mysteries
• Gone: She said he said live like no tomorrow...every day we borrow brings us one step closer to the edge (infinity)
  

I could pull a line out of every one of their songs. Just check 'em out...listen or read the lyrics online. Maybe you're already a fan...yay you!

As an added piece of Switchfoot info, I have seen them in concert eight times. If you haven't seen them, do it. They rock hard in concert!!!

Matt Nathanson is another who has some amazing lyrics that I will stop in mid-stream and listen to...a few samples:

• Little Victories: I'll be awful sometimes...weakened to my knees
• All We Are: It's hard to change the way you lose if you think you've never won
• Car Crash: I wanna feel the car crash, 'cause I'm dyin' on the inside

Oh, and Matt? Yeah. I've seen him five times in concert and met him twice (which, if you read this anti-blog often, you already knew...).

Whose lyrics do you stop and listen to no matter where you are? If you can't think of anyone, then you need to stop reading right now and go listen to some tunes!!! Get back to me...

Traffic Lights, Transition and Tour

Today I give you three topics...pretty much unrelated...and without much segue from one to the other...

So, I don't know about you, but I daily bear witness to a strange phenomenon...people standing at intersections...waiting for lights to change. Don't roll your eyes at me. I'm not finished yet. The strange part is, on many occasions, no one pushes the button. And in San Jose, we don't have those fancy infrared buttons like they do at 4th and King in San Francisco. No. You actually have to push the button if you'd like something to happen. Why is this a hard concept? I really don't know, but on many days, I've walked up and watched a group of folks waiting...and waiting...and then, for fun, I go ahead and push the button, and like MAGIC, the light changes. Am I alone in my observation? I do see this primarily around the SJSU campus, so maybe it's a Gen Y thing, and people think they're entitled to have the light change for them without lifting so much as a finger. It is, after all, all about them and of COURSE the light should know they need to cross the street without them taking that ever-so-difficult step of actually DOING something to make it happen. How exactly do these folks get up and out of their houses every day? It must be magic...

And...scene.

So. I'm in my last few weeks at SJSU before moving to my new office at CSU East Bay. I'm not MOVING moving...just changing jobs. I've been all over the place the last couple of weeks starting my transition, so please forgive me if I haven't emailed, called, messaged, carrier pigeoned or Hallmark carded you. I promise to catch up...you know...some time in 2009...you still love me, right?

Next!

In the midst of my transition and watching these random traffic light waiters, I got the great joy of journeying to Wheatland, CA with a friend to see some of our all-time favorite bands at the Music Builds Tour a couple of weeks ago. Can you say awesome? I think you can. Let me just lay it out for you...

1 - Jars of Clay ... have always loved their music; actually met Steve Mason earlier this year; saw them play a number of years ago at The Warfield; really enjoyed seeing them again!

2 - Robert Randolph and The Family Band ... not really my favorite music, but boy could they play! great musicians who had a lot of fun on stage; they definitely impressed.

3 - Switchfoot ... my 8th time seeing them live; yes...big fan...and they did not disappoint; I really do become the 15-year old I always claim to be when I see them live...they just plain ROCK!! and along they way, they always make me think about a lot of interesting things.

4 - Third Day ... my 6th time seeing them, and they were, as usual, pure joy; they rock in a completely different way from Switchfoot and stir my emotions in a way few other musicians do.

At the end, members of all the groups played a few songs together. It's always fun to see collaborations, and these guys were great. I hope some of you had a chance to see this tour...it was truly awesome!

You can check out my photos to the left...click any picture as it scrolls through the slide show and it will open larger...our seats were pretty stinking good...if I do say so myself. And oh yeah, I just did.

Curtain please.

Concerts and Weddings and Travel...oh my...

Apparently this has become a once-a-month thing...me posting an update on my life. I've been watching the blogs of a few friends lately and noticed that they are MUCH better about this than I am. Am I mad? Nah. Good for them I say. You go girls!

As usual, I have a variety of concerts on my calendar...just saw Augustana last Friday night at The Fillmore in San Francisco and am really excited to see George Michael in San Jose tomorrow. Next month it's Coldplay and in the fall, I'm going to an excellent show on the Music Builds tour...featuring Jars of Clay, the Robert Randolph Band, Switchfoot and Third Day. Seriously! Could that BE any better? The answer is NO. No it could not.

In between all of that, I'll be singing at a wedding (second one this summer) and heading to Vegas for a conference. Next month, I'm off to Boston for a meeting, and am hoping to make a quick journey to Chicago as well...that one's for fun.

Nothing else of interest to share...lots of work going on, lots of lounging too...just not much sleeping. Maybe I'll be more interesting in July...

OH! Go Celtics!! Kiss it Kobe.