Notes from a Genius

This week, I finally got to cross an artist I have loved for years off my bucket list of concerts I must go to before I or they die. That artist? The one and only Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band. When I found out they were playing in Boston at the Garden, I waited patiently for tickets to go on sale and bought two, after telling my dad that I was definitely going to take him, since he was the one responsible for my introduction to the Boss. I can still remember listening to his copy of "Live 75-85" triple CD in our living room on the stereo. I was immediately struck by "Thunder Road" the opening song on the live album. This tour, though, Bruce Springsteen was playing his seminal, double album "The River" in its entirety, to celebrate its (insert number of years here) anniversary. That has always been my favorite album of his and so that was just more incentive to go to this show. And man, does he put on a show. He played, non-stop, for 3.5 hours an...

I've got some time to make up here. Two weeks ago, I went to three concerts, luckily right here in Portland, two of them were at a very small venue, Longfellow Center, which is right around the corner from my apartment. The first show was a new discovery for me, a Canadian folk artist that goes by the name The Weather Station. They were great. It was a rather mellow set, but that kind of lends itself to the venue. There were probably less than 50 people there, too, which made it feel nice and intimate. She is definitely an artist to check out. And then, a couple of days later, I was lucky enough to see Wilco at the State Theatre, here in Portland. I cannot believe I've never seen them, because their live album "Kicking Television" is probably one of my favorite live albums. I'm sure I've had chances, but I've somehow missed them each time they've come around. I did get the chance to see Jeff Tweedy perform for free a couple of summers ago at L...