The Empty Bottle wasn't empty

I really need to quit using Old 97s lyrics for show reviews that have nothing to do with the Old 97s. But anyway. On Saturday evening, I made the (frigid) drive down to (frigid) Chicago to see the Scott Amendola Band play at the Empty Bottle. It was an early 7:00 show, but the place filled up quite impressively.

As well it should have. I enjoyed the shit out of that show, to use a technical term. The band (featuring Jeff Parker and Nels Cline on guitar, Jenny Scheinman on violin, John Shifflett on a very skinny upright bass, and Scott on drums) performed their album Believe - as well a couple other numbers. Set up in the middle of the floor, they ripped through the songs, obviously having a good time with each other and the crowd. It's a jazz album, but the songs pass through a dizzying number of styles and a variety of rhythms. I'd seen Jeff Parker and Nels performing together before, but on Saturday I was most impressed with Nels, Jenny, and Scott - Nels and Jenny in particular, for the amazing sounds they were coaxing from their instruments. Nels' guitar reminded me of a piano at times, while Jenny's violin seemed to imitate both horns and the scream of an electric guitar. The link below is a short video I took of the awesome new song whose name I cannot, of course, remember. "Blues for" something. At any rate, it is excellent.

Voice guitar and fan bells

Just so you know, the title of this entry was very nearly "I love Nels Cline" - because I do. Anyway! Sunday night was Glenn Kotche and Nels Cline's last show on their brief "Alone/Together" tour, at the Black Orchid in Chicago. It also served as Glenn's sort-of-official album release show, since he said it was the first proper hometown show he'd played since Mobile came out. Apparently the album had sold so well on tour that this album release show had a whopping four available for sale.

Although we were the fourth or fifth group seated, Lou and I were led to a two-seat table up against the stage. We were practically in Nels and Glenn's (collective?) lap. I'm not complaining, but it was a bit startling at first. When Nels broke a string during his set and it hung down from the guitar, I could have reached up from my chair and grabbed it. (I didn't.)

Sunday's show was very similar to the first show Nels and Glenn played together in Milwaukee, although nobody shaved onstage this time. Nels played a fascinating set to open, though it seemed a little on the short side. His playing ranged from melodic to shrieking and crashing, screaming into the guitar, manipulating pedals, coaxing an AC/DC-esque riff without actually touching the guitar. Glenn was up next, playing his standard(ly awesome) solo set - no "Taisho" this time, but the Monkey Chant was played along with a short Monkey Chant film for, Glenn said, only the third time. Nels came back out to join Glenn for "Karen Koltrane" and a Nels original, "Caved-in Heart Blues". I can't wait for that song to be released on something I can own.

A night at the Pabst

When I was in first grade, our elementary school principal, Mr. Fountain, grew a beard. He then announced a school fundraiser - for a penny minimum, each student could vote as many times as desired for or against Mr. Fountain keeping the beard. The side with the most cash at the end of the fundraiser was victorious, and the students voted overwhelmingly for Mr. Fountain to lose the facial hair. The following week, Mr. Fountain sat on the stage in the multipurpose room (which was also both our cafeteria and auditorium) and publicly shaved one half of his beard during first lunch period, and the other half during second lunch period. It was a huge hit.

The last time I visited the Pabst Theater in Milwaukee, I was probably on a school field trip. Saturday night I was there again, but for a slightly different reason - to see Glenn Kotche and Nels Cline, "alone and together". I met Paul and Sam in time for a quick bite across the street at the Newsroom before sauntering into the theater and grabbing some front row seats on the left. It was a row of three - perfect.

Nels was up first, whisk tucked in a back pocket for easy access, and masterfully manipulated his guitar, pedals, and knobs into a swirl of sound for 45 minutes. I don't know how he does it. After a short break came Glenn, and I was amused and horrified to see that the fledgling mustache he'd been sporting a few weeks ago was still intact and looking more lustrous than ever. (Which isn't saying much, but you could actually see it from the crowd now.) He'd grown it partly to surprise his wife, but I wasn't sure why he still had it. Mustache or no, his set was tight and intense as always. Besides the songs he played opening for Jeff back in late winter, he also added On Fillmore's "Taisho" as a closer, which was rather delightful.

For the last set, Nels and Glenn came back onstage together. Nels announced that they would be playing a suite for us - "Karen Koltrane" by Sonic Youth, then some mysterious other stuff in the middle, winding up with a song of Nels' to close - the title of which escapes me, though it was familiar (and super awesome). Something about a heart.

After "Karen Koltrane," Nels settled into an abstract guitar riff while Glenn got up. He grabbed a red chair and a bag, set the chair next to Nels, and sat down. First he pulled out of the bag a couple of finger bells, which he placed on each hand. He then pulled out a bottle of water and two red plastic cups, which he placed on the stage side by side and filled. We were enormously intrigued. Was he going to somehow accompany Nels playing cups of water?

Glenn pulled out something else that was blocked slightly by Nels' monitor, and dipped it into one cup of water. He then whipped out a small round mirror, and (the crowd was starting to rumble with laughter) in an instant I understood. Holding up the mirror, Glenn used his shaving brush to lather his face up with shaving cream. And then he shaved. His mustache. Onstage at the historic Pabst Theater. While Nels Cline laid down a shaving groove on the guitar. And while Glenn himself chimed in on bells. It was one of the most surreal things I've ever witnessed during a concert. Also one of the most hilarious.

Cleanly shaven again at last, Glenn neatly rinsed off his brush, packed away his gear, and went back to the drum kit, where he proceeded to go to town for the end of ... "Shaving Jam #1" or whatever it was ... and then they finished up in awesome fashion with Nels' song.

And that, my friends, is a great way to spend a Saturday night. You know, come to think of it, I don't know that Nels doesn't always accompany Glenn on guitar as he shaves.

She ate a strawberry beret ...

We had joked earlier that if we had a really great night on Monday, I wouldn't get to sleep before I had to leave for the airport. As it turned out ... yep.

Monday was chock full of goodness. We did all head to the farmer's market, and gorged ourselves on Brazilian food, ice cream, palm trees, and sunshine. After a quick nip over to the Grove to pick up Shakey for Judy's Neil Young quest (and a visit to a small art gallery) we headed off to find the address where Neil recorded Tonight's the Night. It is now a used car lot. We did see a Shakey's Pizza nearby, though, and really wanted to lie to people and say that was located on the historic site.

Griffith Park was next, for some walking and gazing out over the city. The famous observatory was closed, as it has been for awhile, but we ... observed it. We ate dinner next door to the Henry Fonda Theater, and managed to once again get into the show late. Just couldn't win at that place. It didn't end up mattering, though, since we found a large flock of friends and I wound up with a fine vantage point of everyone. Nels' opening set was really interesting. I especially enjoyed his eerie, moving interpretation of the Byrds song "I Come and Stand at Every Door." Thanks to Nat for identifying that one last week, so I knew what I was hearing right away.

No "All the Same to Me" (someday!) but the Monday setlist was by far my favorite - the whole show was incredible. "Dash 7" with Nels on dobro ... sigh. And I got a healthy amount of teasing from my friends after Jeff borrowed a phrase I'd dashed off in reference to the Sunday night show - and then identified his source.

It wouldn't be a true Hollywood trip tale without me mentioning that in and/or around the Henry Fonda on Sunday and Monday nights I saw Catherine Keener, James Spader, and Elijah Wood. After the show we descended upon a 24-hour diner in Silverlake with Evonne to further celebrate Heidi's birthday. A few waffle sundaes, strawberry berets, and bearded frenchies later, we returned to the hotel and lounged in the lobby with laptops and free wireless for awhile. I finally headed upstairs around 3:15. I don't think I'd laughed as hard or as often as I did early that morning in a long time.

Then I proceeded to pack, get dressed for Tuesday, and lie down on my bed for 37 minutes before meeting the airport shuttle downstairs. Rock on, LA.

Know what sucks?

Being sick. I've been sick since, well, Monday evening. Yesterday seemed to have been the worst (today's not a ton better) but I hope it doesn't stick around much longer. I'm not sure exactly what the problem is, but I've had a perpetual low-grade headache, some light-headedness, a fever, achiness, fatigue, and nausea. Mmmmm. I've been working from home the past couple of days, and I'm so sick of being here, but I really don't feel well enough to leave. Woo!

Also, it's snowing outside. Pretty hard.

Sorry I haven't been very entertaining lately. Sunday night I saw Nels Cline and Jeff Parker's quartet play Paul Bley's record "Turning Point" in its entirety at the Empty Bottle. (And I got home around 3:45 a.m., which probably didn't help the impending sickness.) It was fun seeing Nels as the front man, introducing songs and sharing little anecdotes, and the music was impressive - but it's not quite my cup of tea. I find it interesting, and I liked a couple of the songs in particular, but it doesn't ... transport me. Still well worthwhile, and I got to see a lot of friends there too.