Happy In Bag

Saturday, May 31, 2008

'Til I Gain Control Again




















It's bittersweet seeing one of your favorite artists perform to a largely indifferent audience.

Many of the 800 or so in attendance last night at the season's first event in Olathe's free concert series smoked, drank and guffawed as if a generic blues band was providing background music for their private party. They didn't know or care that Rodney Crowell is one of our greatest songwriters. And why should they? Crowell's reign as a hitmaker with songs like "'Til I Gain Control Again" and "After All This Time" ended fifteen years ago.

The vibe was much different than Crowell's show at Knuckleheads last August. Now with Australian Jedd Hughes on guitar, the band quickly figured out they should focus on loud and fast songs. Near the end of the Texan's ninety-minute show, hardcore fans and dozens of kids pressed against the stage to defiantly sing along with "Like a Rolling Stone."

You shouldn't let other people get your kicks for you.

posted by Happy In Bag @ 7:59 AM  

6 Comments:

  • At 12:38 PM, Blogger bgo said…

    The cynic in me feels the rest of this free concert series will play out just as you described this one.

    I cannot afford at this point to drive to Olathe and back.

    That might be a good thing considering the idjits who are showing up for a cheap night and not noticing the talent before them.

    I would not like their company.

     

  • At 1:18 PM, Blogger Happy In Bag said…

    A few points:

    *Loud audiences could benefit Chubby Carrier, Delbert McClinton and the Elders. It's the balladeers- Crowell, Danny Cox, the Wilders and Chris Hillman- that (will likely) suffer.

    *The couple in my image are clearly nice, attentive listeners. (Just wanted to make that clear.)

    *These concerts are in a tree-lined park just off 127th Street, so the location isn't quite as far south as you might imagine.

     

  • At 3:56 PM, Blogger bgo said…

    gas ain't cheap anymore, we can't make it here anymore.

    i see them in the left turn lane daily.

    i serve them at my current gig.

    loud=good times?

    NOT

     

  • At 2:12 PM, Blogger Nata Harli said…

    And, you expected the residents of Olathe to recognize real talent? Maybe if the right reverend Hagee had been on the stage they would have been quiet! Just another reason why I never, never want to set foot in Olatheeee unless I absolutely have to.

     

  • At 4:44 PM, Blogger Ellen Kozisek said…

    Gas to get to Olathe is cheaper than what it costs to pay to see a band. A good deal.

    Yeah, definitely not as good as the Knuckleheads show, which I'm so glad I went to. Though still worthwhile.

     

  • At 5:53 PM, Blogger Happy In Bag said…

    I saw you rockin' up front, Ellen. I stood about ten feet behind you for much of the show.

     

Post a Comment

<< Home