Sitting on the sidewalk waiting for Amoeba to open, I thought of the concrete beneath me and paraphrased Howl: “I’ve seen the best behinds of my generation . . .” It’s been eons since I sat outside a record shop waiting early doors. It would be an hour before the gates opened -- two and a half hours before the purported start of the show.
Someone in line mentions that Elvis, upon hearing the LA show would be broadcast by satellite, said of the San Francisco performance, “Why bother?” Oh no, would we get a surly Elvis? Well, not Van Morrison-quality surly, but the contractual obligation performer?
At half ten, we’re in. Officials repeatedly announce that Elvis will sign one item only, and only with the purchase of the new album. Each purchaser was also awarded a Tony Millionaire poster from the back cover with the caption “One Day-Two Amoebas.” The purchase requirement is more than fair, and frankly I needed the non-CD tracks anyway. As for the one item limit, I’d come prepared, but how would my one item be received?
I set up behind the sound man. I’d brought work with me (It is a Monday, you know), and the album sections from Vashti Bunyan to Sandy Denny became my desk.
Right at noon, out bounded Elvis and a truncated Sugarcanes (The Aspartames?) consisting of Jim Lauderdale and Mike Compton. By now, all the space in Amoeba was taken. Elvis is in good humor for someone who has already been on a radio show that morning. I have a clear view of the set list and its alternatives, as follows:
1. Complicated Shadows
2. All time Doll
3. Down among the Wine and Sprits
4. Blame it on Cain
5. Condemned Man [Set list says “or I Dreamed of my Old Lover”]
6. Red Cotton
7. Crooked Line [joined with Austin De Lone]
8. Sulpher to Sugarcane [with “San Francisco” pinch-hitting for Pittsburg]
Most folks loved it, though I did spy a young woman front and center who turned her back on Elvis during Crooked Line, desperately flicking through CDs to pass the time. Forty minutes later we were done, and those of us within the first 80 customers to purchase were lined up for Elvis’ audience with his audience.
I approached the table as Elvis crunched away on an apple, and started my shpeil: “Elvis, I don’t know if you’re aware, but Ypsilanti was once the Underwear Capital of the US . . .”
[It’s true. Hay & Todd manufacturing made the full-body one piece union suit which was the rage in the 1890’s. “Never a rip and never a tear in Ypsilanti underwear.” To suggest that the women of Ypsilanti wouldn’t wear panties would be the equivalent of suggesting there’s no coal in Newcastle.]
“Two artists in Ypsilanti have tried to revitalize the industry with the Ypsipanti, so I’ve brought you a pair and would like you to sign a pair for me.” He thanked me and accepted the gift graciously. Of course, signing any material makes for a challenge, but when he wasn’t pleased with his first attempt, he went back over the letters to make it more legible.
He shook my hand, and trying to get in the last word I said, “Wear it in good health.” Not willing to let that pass, Elvis said, “Yeah, on my head.”
SF Amoeba: A thirty-five minute story about a 40 minute set
Re: SF Amoeba: A thirty-five minute story about a 40 minute set
dang, I couldn't get the picture to load I've got it as a pdf.
Re: SF Amoeba: A thirty-five minute story about a 40 minute set
Nice story on the signature line-up, ramalama.
I was there. It was sort of an early show. I just felt like I was waking up as he hit the stage. I was so happy that he did Red Cotton. One annoyance was watching the girl next to me bop her head back and forth like it was a sunshine and lollipops song. If she only knew the lyrics she would be bawling her eyes out (depending on the time of the month!). Sad song, indeed.
I had to leave early because I had to watch a bunch of kids. Scary, I know. However, there was a good game of kickball that went down. It ended when someone started crying. Lame. The girls team was just about to tie it up!
So, once again, I didn't meet / greet EC or get his signature> Didn't even score a poster, but I did walk out the door with the new Eels release... I look forward to the August shows and I might be in Palm Desert for that casino show with the Imposters. Party down, desert style.
I was there. It was sort of an early show. I just felt like I was waking up as he hit the stage. I was so happy that he did Red Cotton. One annoyance was watching the girl next to me bop her head back and forth like it was a sunshine and lollipops song. If she only knew the lyrics she would be bawling her eyes out (depending on the time of the month!). Sad song, indeed.
I had to leave early because I had to watch a bunch of kids. Scary, I know. However, there was a good game of kickball that went down. It ended when someone started crying. Lame. The girls team was just about to tie it up!
So, once again, I didn't meet / greet EC or get his signature> Didn't even score a poster, but I did walk out the door with the new Eels release... I look forward to the August shows and I might be in Palm Desert for that casino show with the Imposters. Party down, desert style.
Re: SF Amoeba: A thirty-five minute story about a 40 minute set
Maria posts to listserv -
I went to the Amoeba show today and it was a blast. While I was waiting in line, Elvis was live on the KFOG and I played the interview on my little transistor radio turned up all the way, so others in line could huddle around and listen along. Which worked pretty well until a bus would drive by. The interview was funny and lighthearted and it made us all the more excited about seeing EC a few hours later.
I was at the foot of the stairs to the right of the stage for the first song. A small area in front of Elvis was sectioned off with yellow caution tape for the guys filming the event for Amoeba, EC, and Channel 7 (for the first song only). After the first song Elvis said that people could stand in front of him, so about ten of us hustled over there right away. A fan named Susan was standing directly in front of Elvis and I was standing right behind her. Heaven.
Elvis was in fine voice and looking handsome. He was joined on stage by the talented Jim Lauderdale (guitar and harmony vocals), Mike Compton (mandolin) and for the last two songs, Austin Delone (accordian). They played about eight songs (see attached set list from stage): Complicated Shadows, My All Time Doll, Down Among the Wines and Spirits, Blame it on Cain, Condemned Man, Red Cotton, The Crooked Line and Sulphur to Sugercane. It was a great mix of playful songs, intense ballads and the sweet Crooked Line. Each song was sung and performed with such intensity, flair, and ease.
It's difficult to pick highlights of the show, but I'd say my favorites were Condemned Man (not yet recorded song) and The Crooked Line. I love his ballads. During Sulphur to Sugarcane, after Elvis sang "Everywhere I go, pretty girls call my name" I yelled out "Elvis" and everyone laughed. If you read the SF Weekly article John sent, the writer mentioned someone yelling his name, but missed that it was in reference to the line in his song. She mentions that no one sang during the sing along the Elvis tried to start, but it was just too low for us women to sing and Elvis abandoned the sing-along before we could come up with higher harmonies. The audience was really into the show and enjoying every minute. And it looked like Elvis and the band were all having a great time too.
After the show, those of us who bought his new CD were able to line up to get an autograph and receive a special poster. I can never think of what to say to Elvis when I meet him, I just feel grateful to be there. I handed him my SP&S record to be signed and asked him if he is going to play HSBF this year and he said he hadn't decided yet. Hopefully he decides to play at it, these songs would be perfect for HSBF and of course, any extra chance to see him perform is a treat. I'm seeing him play in Saratoga and Santa Rosa in August, but you know how it is with Elvis, "suddenly you're crying out for more, more, more..."
I met Jim Lauderdale and Mike Compton outside Amoeba and they were both friendly and signed my album. I've scanned the signed album, the poster and stage set list. I wish other listers could have been there, it was a great day. Hope you all enjoy the webcast at the Hollywood Amoeba, that's just about to start now. They said that they would have parts of this afternoon's show on the Amoeba website soon too. Cheers!
I went to the Amoeba show today and it was a blast. While I was waiting in line, Elvis was live on the KFOG and I played the interview on my little transistor radio turned up all the way, so others in line could huddle around and listen along. Which worked pretty well until a bus would drive by. The interview was funny and lighthearted and it made us all the more excited about seeing EC a few hours later.
I was at the foot of the stairs to the right of the stage for the first song. A small area in front of Elvis was sectioned off with yellow caution tape for the guys filming the event for Amoeba, EC, and Channel 7 (for the first song only). After the first song Elvis said that people could stand in front of him, so about ten of us hustled over there right away. A fan named Susan was standing directly in front of Elvis and I was standing right behind her. Heaven.
Elvis was in fine voice and looking handsome. He was joined on stage by the talented Jim Lauderdale (guitar and harmony vocals), Mike Compton (mandolin) and for the last two songs, Austin Delone (accordian). They played about eight songs (see attached set list from stage): Complicated Shadows, My All Time Doll, Down Among the Wines and Spirits, Blame it on Cain, Condemned Man, Red Cotton, The Crooked Line and Sulphur to Sugercane. It was a great mix of playful songs, intense ballads and the sweet Crooked Line. Each song was sung and performed with such intensity, flair, and ease.
It's difficult to pick highlights of the show, but I'd say my favorites were Condemned Man (not yet recorded song) and The Crooked Line. I love his ballads. During Sulphur to Sugarcane, after Elvis sang "Everywhere I go, pretty girls call my name" I yelled out "Elvis" and everyone laughed. If you read the SF Weekly article John sent, the writer mentioned someone yelling his name, but missed that it was in reference to the line in his song. She mentions that no one sang during the sing along the Elvis tried to start, but it was just too low for us women to sing and Elvis abandoned the sing-along before we could come up with higher harmonies. The audience was really into the show and enjoying every minute. And it looked like Elvis and the band were all having a great time too.
After the show, those of us who bought his new CD were able to line up to get an autograph and receive a special poster. I can never think of what to say to Elvis when I meet him, I just feel grateful to be there. I handed him my SP&S record to be signed and asked him if he is going to play HSBF this year and he said he hadn't decided yet. Hopefully he decides to play at it, these songs would be perfect for HSBF and of course, any extra chance to see him perform is a treat. I'm seeing him play in Saratoga and Santa Rosa in August, but you know how it is with Elvis, "suddenly you're crying out for more, more, more..."
I met Jim Lauderdale and Mike Compton outside Amoeba and they were both friendly and signed my album. I've scanned the signed album, the poster and stage set list. I wish other listers could have been there, it was a great day. Hope you all enjoy the webcast at the Hollywood Amoeba, that's just about to start now. They said that they would have parts of this afternoon's show on the Amoeba website soon too. Cheers!
Re: SF Amoeba: A thirty-five minute story about a 40 minute set
Rama, your gift made the second show! See account at
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_b ... ywood.html
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_b ... ywood.html
Re: SF Amoeba: A thirty-five minute story about a 40 minute set
He even read from the note I had attached. I am very moved that I had an effect on someone I have so long admired.
The song starts at 52:00: http://www.amoeba.com/live-shows/videos/index.html
The song starts at 52:00: http://www.amoeba.com/live-shows/videos/index.html
Re: SF Amoeba: A thirty-five minute story about a 40 minute set
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.c ... 18BNVT.DTL
Costello pays a visit to Amoeba
Aidin Vaziri, Chronicle Pop Music Critic
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Elvis Costello looked the part when he arrived at the San Francisco Amoeba store for a free concert on Monday to push his new country album, "Secret, Profane & Sugarcane." With mandolin player Mike Compton on one side and bluegrass guitarist Jim Lauderdale on the other, the 54-year-old English singer-songwriter wore a slight wisp of a mustache, sideburns and gold-framed sunglasses - the kind typically sported by the other Elvis.
Shortly before noon, the hundreds of people who had been waiting in a line that snaked around the block filed into the far reaches of the Haight Street record store. There were so many people that even the staff was taken aback. "I've never seen so many people turn out for an in-store," said Amoeba's co-owner David Prinz. "Especially on a workday."
Directly after the San Francisco show, Costello zipped off to perform at the Amoeba store in Hollywood - surely a feat as impressive if not exactly as ambitious as Phil Collins playing both sides of the Atlantic for Live Aid.
But first he had some songs and autographs to get through. Costello covered most of the new album during his 40-minute acoustic set, offering endearing, stripped-down takes on tunes he originally recorded in Nashville, including "Down Among the Wines and Spirits" and "Red Cotton."
The singer - who in the past few years has played with everyone from Burt Bacharach to the Brodsky Quartet - even unveiled something tentatively called "Condemned Man," a sinister jailhouse ballad he hasn't recorded yet. "You have to come out to the record shop to hear this one," he said.
After the live set, Costello returned to the stage to sign autographs. He brought along an apple that he proceeded to chomp on as people passed through the long line, mostly telling him how much his music changed their lives. Some offered more unusual praise. "I loved you in 'Austin Powers,' " said one man, producing a book about that film. "Yeah, baby!" That guy came back three times.
Another man, upon getting to the front of the line, politely asked, "Is Mr. Lauderdale available, by any chance?"
As people presented Costello with everything from demo tapes and children's books to freshly baked cookies for his trip, he quickly dashed off his name and masterfully avoided conversation, casually munching through the apple and looking ahead.
He wasn't even fazed when one middle-aged man handed him a pair of hot pink underwear - unworn, it should be noted - saying, "Wear them well." Costello shrugged, "I will. On my head."
Never underestimate a man with a mustache.
Elvis Costello: Aug. 17. Mountain Winery, Saratoga. Aug. 19. Wente Vineyards, Livermore.
Video from Costello's performances at the San Francisco and Hollywood Amoeba stores is at www.amoeba.com.
E-mail Aidin Vaziri at avaziri@sfchronicle.com.
Costello pays a visit to Amoeba
Aidin Vaziri, Chronicle Pop Music Critic
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Elvis Costello looked the part when he arrived at the San Francisco Amoeba store for a free concert on Monday to push his new country album, "Secret, Profane & Sugarcane." With mandolin player Mike Compton on one side and bluegrass guitarist Jim Lauderdale on the other, the 54-year-old English singer-songwriter wore a slight wisp of a mustache, sideburns and gold-framed sunglasses - the kind typically sported by the other Elvis.
Shortly before noon, the hundreds of people who had been waiting in a line that snaked around the block filed into the far reaches of the Haight Street record store. There were so many people that even the staff was taken aback. "I've never seen so many people turn out for an in-store," said Amoeba's co-owner David Prinz. "Especially on a workday."
Directly after the San Francisco show, Costello zipped off to perform at the Amoeba store in Hollywood - surely a feat as impressive if not exactly as ambitious as Phil Collins playing both sides of the Atlantic for Live Aid.
But first he had some songs and autographs to get through. Costello covered most of the new album during his 40-minute acoustic set, offering endearing, stripped-down takes on tunes he originally recorded in Nashville, including "Down Among the Wines and Spirits" and "Red Cotton."
The singer - who in the past few years has played with everyone from Burt Bacharach to the Brodsky Quartet - even unveiled something tentatively called "Condemned Man," a sinister jailhouse ballad he hasn't recorded yet. "You have to come out to the record shop to hear this one," he said.
After the live set, Costello returned to the stage to sign autographs. He brought along an apple that he proceeded to chomp on as people passed through the long line, mostly telling him how much his music changed their lives. Some offered more unusual praise. "I loved you in 'Austin Powers,' " said one man, producing a book about that film. "Yeah, baby!" That guy came back three times.
Another man, upon getting to the front of the line, politely asked, "Is Mr. Lauderdale available, by any chance?"
As people presented Costello with everything from demo tapes and children's books to freshly baked cookies for his trip, he quickly dashed off his name and masterfully avoided conversation, casually munching through the apple and looking ahead.
He wasn't even fazed when one middle-aged man handed him a pair of hot pink underwear - unworn, it should be noted - saying, "Wear them well." Costello shrugged, "I will. On my head."
Never underestimate a man with a mustache.
Elvis Costello: Aug. 17. Mountain Winery, Saratoga. Aug. 19. Wente Vineyards, Livermore.
Video from Costello's performances at the San Francisco and Hollywood Amoeba stores is at www.amoeba.com.
E-mail Aidin Vaziri at avaziri@sfchronicle.com.
Re: SF Amoeba: A thirty-five minute story about a 40 minute set
http://ohlazydynamite.wordpress.com/200 ... ake-me-up/
Posted by Rachel
June 24, 2009
Yesterday I saw Elvis Costello at Amoeba Music in Hollywood. It was divine. My friend, JD, got there at 4 in the morning…the manager saw him and was like “You don’t have to wait here all day!” and wrote a little note guaranteeing JD and two others (me and his dad) to be first in line. FREAKING AWESOME. I had the best spot in the house, directly in front of the man himself.
The set, although quite short, was great. His new album- Secret, Profane & Sugarcane- is really good. Best I could describe it is jazzy, country and a little bit gypsy. Haha. He can do anything and it’s okay with me.
At the end of the show, I got a setlist, the towel Elvis used to wipe his sweat off (it’s sick, but I love it.) and a pair of panties (don’t worry, they still had the label on them.) that some girl from the San Francisco show threw to him.
Afterwards, he began signing things for everyone. I got my limited edition poster signed and it’s great. I need to frame it.
Posted by Rachel
June 24, 2009
Yesterday I saw Elvis Costello at Amoeba Music in Hollywood. It was divine. My friend, JD, got there at 4 in the morning…the manager saw him and was like “You don’t have to wait here all day!” and wrote a little note guaranteeing JD and two others (me and his dad) to be first in line. FREAKING AWESOME. I had the best spot in the house, directly in front of the man himself.
The set, although quite short, was great. His new album- Secret, Profane & Sugarcane- is really good. Best I could describe it is jazzy, country and a little bit gypsy. Haha. He can do anything and it’s okay with me.
At the end of the show, I got a setlist, the towel Elvis used to wipe his sweat off (it’s sick, but I love it.) and a pair of panties (don’t worry, they still had the label on them.) that some girl from the San Francisco show threw to him.
Afterwards, he began signing things for everyone. I got my limited edition poster signed and it’s great. I need to frame it.
Re: SF Amoeba: A thirty-five minute story about a 40 minute set
Another reference to the resemblance of a "porn-star" mustache.
http://www.livedaily.com/news/19474.html
Elvis Costello plays in-store gigs, more touring ahead
By Phil Gallo LiveDaily Contributor
Elvis Costello [ tickets ], sporting a porn-star mustache and shades along with a beaming smile, performed at two California record stores in a single day Monday (6/22) to celebrate last week's release of "Secret, Profane and Sugarcane." The L.A. concert--which, like the San Francisco show, was held in an Amoeba Records store--went a considerable way toward demonstrating than an all-acoustic Costello show does not mean he is growing softer as he ages.
The 55-minute set featured 11 songs, six of them from the new disc, two covers (The Grateful Dead's "Friend of the Devil" and Buddy Holly's "Not Fade Away") and two new numbers that reached for the merciless tone of classic Costello. The new album, produced by T Bone Burnett, is rich in fiddles, mandolins and tempos associated with twang, but Costello mixed up the repertoire to sufficiently indicate that his upcoming tour will be a varied affair that touches on various phases of his 33-year career. (Costello's currently confirmed North American itinerary is below.)
Inclusion of "Blame It On Cain" tapped the venomous vein that Costello continues to reach for on new material. One tune, a relentlessly dark ballad, concerns a prisoner's final hours before he is put to death; a second unreleased number, titled "Five Small Words" for now, explores the pain of a break-up with a string of five-word questions that begins with "don't you want me anymore?" With "Red Cotton's" look at slavery in the mix, the frothier tunes--"My All Time Doll" and "Sulphur to Sugarcane"--were downright comic relief, the latter tune being the sharpest geography-based number since "Rhode Island is Famous for You."
Costello's accompaniment--guitarist Jim Lauderdale and mandolinist Mike Compton--was smaller than the unit he will take on the road, and it is likely the arrangements will allow the sort of expert interplay that's featured prominently on the new Hear Music/Concord album. Compton had only one opportunity to stretch out--on "Friend of the Devil"--and Lauderdale's rich tenor was limited to background vocals.
On Aug. 17 in Saratoga, CA, Costello will resume his tour with the musicians who backed him in the studio for the new album. Dubbed The Sugarcanes, the lineup includes Lauderdale on guitar, Douglas on dobro, Stuart Duncan on fiddle, Compton on mandolin, Jeff Taylor on accordion and Dennis Crouch on double bass.
Costello also is scheduled to perform with Steve Nieve and The Utah Symphony Aug. 15 at Salt Lake City's Dear Valley Music Festival.
http://www.livedaily.com/news/19474.html
Elvis Costello plays in-store gigs, more touring ahead
By Phil Gallo LiveDaily Contributor
Elvis Costello [ tickets ], sporting a porn-star mustache and shades along with a beaming smile, performed at two California record stores in a single day Monday (6/22) to celebrate last week's release of "Secret, Profane and Sugarcane." The L.A. concert--which, like the San Francisco show, was held in an Amoeba Records store--went a considerable way toward demonstrating than an all-acoustic Costello show does not mean he is growing softer as he ages.
The 55-minute set featured 11 songs, six of them from the new disc, two covers (The Grateful Dead's "Friend of the Devil" and Buddy Holly's "Not Fade Away") and two new numbers that reached for the merciless tone of classic Costello. The new album, produced by T Bone Burnett, is rich in fiddles, mandolins and tempos associated with twang, but Costello mixed up the repertoire to sufficiently indicate that his upcoming tour will be a varied affair that touches on various phases of his 33-year career. (Costello's currently confirmed North American itinerary is below.)
Inclusion of "Blame It On Cain" tapped the venomous vein that Costello continues to reach for on new material. One tune, a relentlessly dark ballad, concerns a prisoner's final hours before he is put to death; a second unreleased number, titled "Five Small Words" for now, explores the pain of a break-up with a string of five-word questions that begins with "don't you want me anymore?" With "Red Cotton's" look at slavery in the mix, the frothier tunes--"My All Time Doll" and "Sulphur to Sugarcane"--were downright comic relief, the latter tune being the sharpest geography-based number since "Rhode Island is Famous for You."
Costello's accompaniment--guitarist Jim Lauderdale and mandolinist Mike Compton--was smaller than the unit he will take on the road, and it is likely the arrangements will allow the sort of expert interplay that's featured prominently on the new Hear Music/Concord album. Compton had only one opportunity to stretch out--on "Friend of the Devil"--and Lauderdale's rich tenor was limited to background vocals.
On Aug. 17 in Saratoga, CA, Costello will resume his tour with the musicians who backed him in the studio for the new album. Dubbed The Sugarcanes, the lineup includes Lauderdale on guitar, Douglas on dobro, Stuart Duncan on fiddle, Compton on mandolin, Jeff Taylor on accordion and Dennis Crouch on double bass.
Costello also is scheduled to perform with Steve Nieve and The Utah Symphony Aug. 15 at Salt Lake City's Dear Valley Music Festival.
Re: SF Amoeba: A thirty-five minute story about a 40 minute set
http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f9/diana- ... -a-431505/
elrod-tom posts -
Diana Krall - Live in Ann Arbor (6/26/09)
(extract)
There was a funny moment, where she mentioned that she'd been in 3 cities in Michigan in one day - Detroit (at the airport, I'm assuming), Ann Arbor (of course), and Ypsilanti..."where the girls don't wear no panties".
Of course, anyone who has purchased the latest Elvis Costello album knows where THAT line came from.
elrod-tom posts -
Diana Krall - Live in Ann Arbor (6/26/09)
(extract)
There was a funny moment, where she mentioned that she'd been in 3 cities in Michigan in one day - Detroit (at the airport, I'm assuming), Ann Arbor (of course), and Ypsilanti..."where the girls don't wear no panties".
Of course, anyone who has purchased the latest Elvis Costello album knows where THAT line came from.
Re: SF Amoeba: A thirty-five minute story about a 40 minute set
Good news! The Amoeba video is now listed in the "editing" phase.
http://www.amoeba.com/live-shows/videos/index.html
http://www.amoeba.com/live-shows/videos/index.html
-
Man out of Time
- Posts: 1844
- Joined: Fri Jul 06, 2007 8:15 am
- Location: just off the coast of Europe
- Contact:
Re: SF Amoeba: A thirty-five minute story about a 40 minute
That video appears to be the Los Angeles show
http://www.elviscostello.info/wiki/inde ... os_Angeles
rather than the San Francisco show. Note the absence of Austin de Lone.
MOOT
http://www.elviscostello.info/wiki/inde ... os_Angeles
rather than the San Francisco show. Note the absence of Austin de Lone.
MOOT
Re: SF Amoeba: A thirty-five minute story about a 40 minute
I'll correct it later, thanks MOOT!
-
supplydavid
- Posts: 214
- Joined: Wed Feb 10, 2010 8:43 am
Re: SF Amoeba: A thirty-five minute story about a 40 minute
for the non tech people anyway to convert this to a dvd and mp3?