Okay, guys, here at long last is the report of the Santa Monica show. First off, P, I did get your e-mail, for which I thank you (seem to be doing a lot of that around here). Second off, I had camera problems, so while I do have pictures, they are quite blurry and I don't think they are worthy of placing here - but if you guys insist, I will post them and you can make your own decision. The only one that turned out half decent was my wife with Zeke. Oh, and P, I did discuss the e-mail issue with Zeke, and he said they have been so focused on the studio that they haven't really had a chance to look at those issues. You would understand this more than anyone, I'm sure. Anyway, on to the show report.
My trip to the show wasn't quite as dramatic as getting to Largo. Earlier in the day while washing the car and cranking my Tift CDs some neighbors wanted to know who the gal with the beautiful voice was. Three new Tift fans were born, and in fact two of them decided to come to the show with us. Unfortunately for them, the show was sold out. We called to see if there was any chance of getting tix, and were told we could attempt to buy some before the show, but no guarantees. I told them to come, but they decided not to. Good thing, because nobody was giving up their tix.
So the wife and I leave our place in Thousand Oaks at 6:00 p.m. We're about 40 miles north of Santa Monica and I wanted to get there early for a good seat. No problems on the drive like Largo, but I may have startled some slower drivers ahead of me by riding their a$$. Got to McCabes and the wife spots a primo parking space directly in front. This is about 7:10, and we were about 15th or so in line. Stood in line for half an hour before they opened the doors. Now, as I've posted before, McCabe's is a guitar shop. That's it. The "venue" is a room in the back of the store, and seats were fold ups. Only 150 tickets were sold. Adorning the alls and all sides are classic guitars - there was a Jimmy Hendricks, and hundreds of others. The stage is in front, elevated a bit. Band's room is upstairs, and they come down the stairs to perform. No adult beverages, but oddly enough, they had a really good cup of coffee, which you wouldn't expect from this kind of venue. Only waited about 15 minutes before the emcee started his announcements, and then on comes Tift.
Tift is wearing what the Mrs. describes as a black chiffon dress with a white pattern, and her boots. She looked absolutely great. It was odd not seeing BR, but the band were all terrific. Zeke was in great form, as was Jay. Tift must have had soem time to rest her voice, because it was the best I've ever heard it, and this was my sixth Tift show (three in Atlanta, and now three in LA). Very powerful, very energetic. So here is the playlist - some of the new songs I'm not 100% sure of the title, but I type what I heard:
Wanna Go (Another Country); Something to Me; Again; I Know What I'm Looking for Now; Supposed to Make You Happy; Stray Paper; Aint Looking Closely; Keep you Happy; Good Hearted Man; Hopes Too High; My Heart Is Free (this is going to be a hit, imho); Hard Feelin; Morning is My Destination; The French Song - I don't speak French, so I don't know the title, but Tift explained the meaning behind it, that if we ever lose touch with one another we're never truly apart because of the small and tender things in my heart; Virginia - slowed down and acoustic with Jay; Still Pretneding; Tender Branch is Gonna Fall.
Of the new songs she played, trust me when I say there isn't a bad one in the lot. As I said above, I'm liking My Heart is Free. Tift had a bit of a struggle with the piano at times, because it was off to one side and blocked the view of some of the audience, so gracious as she is, she played standing up so she could be seen. BTW, my seat was dead middle of the stage, second row. It was awesome. Anyway, after the encore, everyone leaves the stage and the cleaning crew leaves. I had a bottle of Makers, even though I already got MD status. Somebody from the house said they wouldn't be coming down, as there was a function upstairs - suits and what have you from the new label. I was not to be deterred however. Jay came down the stairs and I went up to him, presented him the bottle. As an aside, I know we all talk about how super cool Tift and Zeke are, but Jay also is one of the nicest people you'll ever meet. Long story short, Jay, on his own accord, says he'll take us up for a minute. So up we go, and it was a mad house. But Tift was gracious as ever, got the Makers, posed for a few pictures. Her and the Mrs. talked quite a bit. My wife was telling her about the generation of Tift fans she has garnered in Ireland, and Tift mentioned how they'll be playing at the Kilkenny Music Festival next year. Our niece is ecstatic about this news, as she now listens to All Tift, All The Time. We were up there for quite a bit longer than our alloted minute, but it felt quite hasty. So we went to exit downstairs, but there is Zeke holding court at the bottom of the stairs, and we spent close to 45 minutes talking to him about this and that, my son and his guitar, the Kilkenny Music Festival, the fact that the word "monosyllabic" has so many syllables. McCabe's was selling posters of the event, and we bought one, and Zeke took it upstairs for Tift to sign.
So there's my report. In a nutshell, for me, it was my best concert ever, and I've been to concerts. Tift sounded better than I've ever heard. It is a night I'll remember for quite some time. |