are you with me, dr. wu?

smiling phases

music is such a fine "drug".  i'm happiest when listening to music, be it live, recorded or "in the making". 

i've also discovered another wonderful way to get a dose of the good stuff ... writing about it.  i have a golden opportunity to use this weblog as a vehicle to share with you my musical experiences so i intend to make the most of it. 

i was in new york last week and was fortunate to not only hear very special music, but also to meet and talk with the talented artists who are dedicated to following their hearts to develop their chosen art form. 

as i gather my thoughts on the musical works of carolyn leonhart, the yellowjackets and the moutin brothers, i invite you to visit this weblog over the next week or so to read more about these special musicians and the manhattan venues where they engaged their audiences in a short four day span.

i will also tell you about a lyn leon, a swiss group who uses percussion to forge a truly fresh and distinctive sound, collaborating with carolyn leonhart in the process.  i think you will find the approach rather fresh, to say the least.

this time around it's iridium, smoke, jazz standard and switzerland ... from midtown and uptown to the east side and across the atlantic ... outstanding talent and big apple jazz venues ... all coming up very soon.  this is just a start.

any world that i'm welcome to

here at hi fi buys amphitheatre, i'm locked down and ready in combat mode for tonight's steely dan show. 

the venue is somewhat similar to pine knob in clarkston and very typical of a modern day outdoor music venue so there's nothing special to say, with one exception ... i didn't have to jump on a flying aluminum tube to get here.  interesting mix of concertgoers tonight ... lots of diversity and at this early point in pre-show time, a wide range of age groups represented.

opening number is about one hour and fifteen minutes away.

chain lightning

how perfect is atlanta weather forecast for tonight's steely dan show?  top of the line i'm happy to report - clear sky, low humidity and very nice temperatures in the low 70's are on tap.  matter of fact, the weather tonight should be eerily similar to what we had for the dan's clarkston, michigan show about one month ago.

i'm looking forward to updating this blog tonight from the concert, including detailed setlists and any other interesting little ditties.  while i'm at it, i'll be part of the brother/sisterhood ... yes it's chain lightning and it feels so good!

here at the southern world

high expectations for atlanta steely dan fans who are anxiously awaiting the band's arrival for their emg tour stop here at 8pm on friday evening, september 19th, 2003.

the last steely dan appearance in atlanta was during the 2vn tour, when they played shows on consecutive evenings at chastain park amphitheatre.  this time around the dan will play a single performance at the freshly named hi-fi buys amphitheatre, a venue located south of downtown atlanta, not too far east from the i-75/i-85 connector that winds its way through the center of the city. 

it's countdown to (ecstasy) concert time so as with the clarkston, michigan concert, i plan some moblogging on the day of the show.  expect some notes on the venue, a brief weather report, impressions of the assembled crowd, even perhaps some short pieces during the show (if i can tear my eyes away from the stage and onto my blackberry) and for sure a final review once the evening is done.

true companions

they really are, you know ... the dan.  just returned from my detroit trip to visit family and attend the steely dan concert last night at pine knob in clarkston, michigan.  great weekend, awesome weather and very smooth travel logistics were all enhancements on a fine evening of music.  i am already scheming to find tickets for the atlanta tour stop in september ... i really wouldn't mind seeing them again.  in the meantime i'll roll with the cd's and knock on wood they will suffice until the next live shot.  where's that cuervo gold?

the venue

pine knob amphitheatre is in clarkston, michigan.  a smallish and cozy spot which is a favorite venue for many detroit area concertgoers.  the venue is outdoors but covered, with a healthy dose of lawn seating areas to the rear.  our seats are center section about three quarters of the way back from the stage, pretty good view.

the dan's road crew is just now finalizing the sound check so the opening number is not too far away.  the weather is nice and my ears are clean.

concert wrap later.