The Dave Blog: Robert Randolph

The past three weeks I've seen some great shows.

On October 20th I saw Bob Dylan and Kings Of Leon at the LA Forum. This was my second time to the venue, and although the place is outdated it does make for a great concert venue. And my 5th row ticket helped as well.

I was mainly there for Kings Of Leon, but seeing Bob Dylan perform a full set was a nice bonus. Kings played a nice set of hits from their first two albums and they also played some new tunes that I can only guess will be on their next album. This was my third time to see Kings, and my second to see Bob. Highlights of Kings set for me included The Bucket, and Molly's Chambers. We had a nice little crowd of about 20-30 Kings Of Leon fans up front for their set.

Bob was interesting in the aspect that he barely acknowledged the crowd. He played keyboards the entire night looking across the stage as opposed to looking into the crowd. And he has a guitar on a guitar stand center stage next to microphone. That guitar went un-played the entire night and the microphone was also unused. Highlights of the set included the tracks off the new album Thunder on The Mountain, and Nettie Moore and hits during his encore including Like A Rolling Stone.

Bob Dylan
October 20, 2006
Los Angeles, CA
The Forum

Maggie's Farm
Just Like Tom Tumb's Blues
High Water (For Charley Patton)
When The Deal Goes Down
Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum
Tangled Up In Blue
To Romona
It's Alright, Ma (I'm Only Bleeding)
Rollin' And Tumblin'
John Brown
Highway 61 Revisited
Nettie Moore
Summer Days

Encore
Thunder On The Mountain
Like A Rolling Stone
All Along The Watchtower

This past Thursday I got a call from Dean asking if I wanted to see Robert Randolph at the House Of Blues. I took him up on the offer, the ticket was free, and we met for dinner at the Rainbow and then headed down to HOB. This was my 3rd time seeing Robert Randolph's band play, and I had seen Robert a couple of other times guesting with Dave Matthews Band on Louisiana Bayou. Considering the two other times I saw him is 45 minute set had its high and low points. The headlining set was full of the same. We stayed for about 75 minutes into his set and left as he went off for the encore. Taylor Hicks got up on stage with him just like I had seen this past summer. Taylor did a great job on the harmonica.

The funny moment of the night was when Robert invited a number of girls on stage during Shake Your Hips. For the most part the girls stayed out of the way of the band but there were these two girls that kept trying to dance on Robert and kiss on Robert. It was obvious he was not comfortable when these girls were right on him. As they leaned in he'd lean away and would have that nervous, awkward, get away from me smile. He was clearly being violated.

Highlights were Diane and and Deliver Me.

Robert Randolph And The Family Band
November 2, 2006
W. Hollywood, CA
House Of Blues

Intro
Ain't Nothin Wrong With That
I Don't Know What You Come To Do
Blessed
Jesus Is Just Alright (CSN&Y cover)
Shake Your Hips
Diane
Billie Jean (Michael Jackson cover)
Blessed Reprise -> I Got Joy (w/ Ryan Shawn on vocals, and Taylor Hicks on harmonica)
Deliver Me

Encore
Voodoo Chile (Slight Return) - this is where Dean and I left
Devil Went Down To Georgia

And then last night Jacki and I saw the return of The Who. Their first show of the second leg of the North America tour. It is difficult to describe how great they were. This was one of the best concerts I've ever seen. Yes, it was that good. Our seats were in the Terrace Boxes about 6 rows behind the soundboard, and my seat was the dead center seat in the venue. Perfect view, even though we weren't close.

They played a large portion of their new album Endless Wire, and of course had a great selection of hits including some of my favorites including Eminence Front, and The Seeker. The final close Tea & Theatre with Roger and Pete by themselves was a perfect show closer.

The band sounded great, Pete and Roger looked to having a good time and this show also marked the first performance of this specific line up. Pete mentioned Rabbit's, their keyboard player, wife was seeking cancer treatment so he was with her. In the meantime Rabbit's tech was playing instead.

If you've never seen The Who, and can afford the ticket, go! You will not be disappointed. Great visuals, great songs, and a crowd that loves the music.

This also gave me hope that the Hollywood Bowl can be a good place for a concert.

The opening act was Rose Hill Drive. Jacki and I saw them a year or so back opening for The Black Crowes. A strong power trio in the vein of Wolfmother, although without the keyboards. They quoted a little of Dazed And Confused from Led Zeppelin during their last song.

The Who
November 4, 2006
Hollywood, California
Hollywood Bowl

I Can't Explain
The Seeker
Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere
Fragments
Behind Blue Eyes
Wire And Glass (mini opera)
- Sound Round
- Pick Up The Peace
- Endless Wire
- We Got A Hit
- They Make My Dreams Come True
- Mirror Door
Baba O'Riley
Eminence Front
A Man In A Purple Dress
Black Widow's Eyes
Mike Post Theme
You Better You Bet
My Generation -> Cry If You Want -> Old Red Wine
Won't Get Fooled Again

Encore
Pinball Wizard
Amazing Journey
Sparks
See Me, Feel Me
Listening To You
Tea & Theatre

Note that I didn't take The Who pictures. Some great pictures I found of the performance last night on their website.

On Wednesday Jacki and I saw The Black Crowes at the Greek Theater. Ever since the band reunited from their hiatus every show we've seen has been amazing. This was our third time see them in 13 months. We missed the first opener but got to see most of Robert Randolph and The Family Band's set. Toward the end of their set Taylor Hicks from American Idol came out and jammed on harmonica for one of their songs. The audience loved it.

Between sets I went to get some kettle corn and saw Elliot another finalist from American Idol walking around and talking on his cell phone. When the Crowes hit the stage they started with Cursed Diamond and Wiser Time back to back. A great way to kick off the set.

The Black Crowes
Greek Theater
Los Angeles, California
June 14, 2006

Cursed Diamond
Wiser Time
Got To Get Better In A Little While
Sister Luck
Soul Singing
Welcome To The Goodtimes
Up On Cripple Creek (w/ Chris Robinson on Vocals)
My Morning Song
L.A. (w/ Marc Ford on Vocals)
Hard To Handle
Jealous Again
Remedy
- encore -
Oh Well

And as the ultimate concert souvenir we were able to get an Instant Live CD of the show immediately afterwards.