Greasy Lumberjack

Wow, has it really been that long....hold on tight!!!!

2009-10-10T06:04:00.000-07:00

Around the corner of my life is a little crevice called sanity.

When does too much happen? You are about to witness the answer to that question. In an effort to document all of my musical adventures, I started this blog.....when I am done writing this weekend I will once again experience the overload I placed on myself.

Now, let me also share my life belief:

Life is here to build memories and experiences

As you will witness, both are present in the last few months. Slowing down is a good experience too. I will never complain about my life and what it has brought, but sometimes you need to slow down and look back in order to truly respect those experiences and self archive those memories. Don't want the bucket to get too full without inventorying those entities and tucking them away in the proper mental scrapbook.

Day 4 in Ireland - U2 Night 2

2009-07-26T00:09:00.000-07:00

Imagine to yourself having free range of the floor and stage area. Well we couldn't imaging it and yet it happened.

On night two we were in the Red Zone, which was a unique area just off the side of the outer stage. Little did we know, this would also allow us to roam through the inner stage, back stage area and experience U2 360 in a whole new way.

Here is a video of when they walked on the stage. (Just watch the first few seconds, I kept recording and didn't know it.)

All night long they played a few different tunes, add a bit of a twist, improvised a few steps and stayed with the core of the performance. The next few videos show just these steps along the way. (Notice the crowd interaction tonight. It was even better than the night before.)

Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For with a little Stand By Me ending!!!!

I'll Go Crazy, If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight

MLK (with a little of Pride ending.)

Here is the Set List for Night 2:

Main Set: Breathe, No Line On The Horizon, Get On Your Boots, Magnificent, Beautiful Day - Here Comes the Sun, Mysterious Ways, I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For - Stand By Me, Angel of Harlem - Don't Stop Til You Get Enough, In A Little While, Unknown Caller, The Unforgettable Fire, City of Blinding Lights - Rain, Vertigo, I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight, Sunday Bloody Sunday, Pride, MLK, Walk On - You'll Never Walk Alone, Where the Streets Have No Name, One

Encore(s): Ultraviolet, With or Without You, Moment of Surrender

Comments: Bono dances with a female fan from Chile during Mysterious Ways. U2 makes another connection with the Intl. Space Station, where the astronauts have a special message for the Dublin crowd: 'Hello Dublin, what's the craic?' Fans up front notice Bono in tears after Streets.

Here are a couple of pictures through the night:

Here are a few more shots throughout the night. We wrapped up a 21 year long venture to go see U2 in Ireland in pure style. Pure style, we will never, ever, ever will forget this weekend.

Good Night!!!!!

Day 3 in Ireland - U2 Hits the Stage, Night One

2009-07-25T02:43:00.000-07:00

Let me start by saying, one more amazing night for U2. Highlights of the night include; the purest crowd interaction I have ever heard. (If you have ever wondered if the Irish sing all the time, they certainly do at a U2 concert. It was unreal.) When they pulled out Bad, you have got to be kidding me. What an experience, that is all I can say, over and over and over.

Here is a bit of the opening night. What an experience.

Then U2 played a little acoustic set, which included some good mix. Check out a sample of Stuck In A Moment.

Here is the Set List:

Main Set: Breathe, No Line On The Horizon, Get On Your Boots, Magnificent, Beautiful Day - Blackbird, Elevation, Desire, Stuck In A Moment, The Auld Triangle, One, Until the End of the World, The Unforgettable Fire, City of Blinding Lights, Vertigo, I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight, Sunday Bloody Sunday, Pride, MLK, Walk On - You'll Never Walk Alone, Where the Streets Have No Name, Bad

Encore(s): Ultraviolet, With or Without You, Moment of Surrender

Comments: Bono and Edge sing an acoustic 'Stuck', followed by 'Auld Triangle', a traditional Irish song (also acoustic). After the song, Bono lavishes praise on the hometown crowd. During the encore break, a computerized voice recites a bit of the WH Auden poem, 'Funeral Blues.'

Also, some random pictures.

Raining during the opening act:

Proof of how clean this area is, how about Smoking Wardens at concerts:

Glasvegas, last song of their set. Passionate little Scots:

Bono walking the outer stage, where we will be tonight:

Bono and Adam, teasing the crowd below:

Prepare for takeoff:

A little message from Bishop Tutu:

Day 2 in Ireland

2009-07-24T04:32:00.000-07:00

Country side, regathering our good Karma, and enjoying the beauty.

Only one picture from today, if we don't get going to this concert I just might jump!!!!

Day 1 in Ireland

2009-07-23T00:43:00.000-07:00

Upon touching down in Ireland, our taxi cab driver started up with asking why we were in town. (The Custom's Officer hit it right on the head like we were some transparent teenagers.) We are in town to watch the hometown boys play a gig in a few days!!!!!

The driver got excited and had to share that he was at the first ever U2 concert and pointed out that it took place kitty corner from our hotel at the below location.

If you ever wonder if U2 owns this town, there are posters everywhere announcing their return to the area. Here is an example down one of the shopping districts.

Finally, everywhere you go there is someone playing music. I think we could move here today!!!!

Off to the country side.

Getting Ready to LIVE THE DREAM

2009-07-19T19:33:00.000-07:00

Round two of The 2009 Anderson Concert Series takes us to Ireland, homeland of a small little quintet from Ireland. More to come as the week kicks off....Wednesday morning. I can't stand it, may not sleep for the next 5 days.

Wilco at Red Rocks

2009-07-19T19:10:00.000-07:00

You have got to be kidding me. We witnessed the greatest concert I have seen at Red Rocks and it just happens to be WILCO. Rare crowd, excellent seating, amazing friends, oh....and WILCO was completely on.

We went early to get close seats and pulled up to the parking lot with maybe 10 cars parked. The rain was coming down so hard, we couldn't see out the window. The rain quickly converted to hail and then stopped. It was a beautiful night, one like no other. The heaven split open and the moon, the stars and a touch of clouds streaked across the fresh sky. The setting couldn't have been chosen from a Rolodex of screen savers. Just serene.

This concert was on the brink of their new album, WILCO the Album. The new songs came to life in a live setting. As always, Nels kicked in a bit of psychedelic rock to the mix. The band members were certainly in sink all night, Jeff doing quirky thinks on the stage including dedicating Man Who Loves You to his wife and then mocking himself a bit. Not one single complaint about the night. Not one.

Set List:

1. Wilco (The Song)
2. I Am Trying To Break Your Heart
3. Bull Black Nova
4.You Are My Face
5. One Wing
6. A Shot In The Arm
7. At Least That's What You Said
8. Deeper Down
9. Impossible Germany
10. It's Just That Simple
11. Can't Stand It
12. Jesus, Etc.
13. Shouldn't Be Ashamed
14. Hate It Here
15. Handshake Drugs
16. You Never Know
17. Walken
18. I'm The Man Who Loves You
19. Everlasting Everything

Encore 1:
20. Ashes Of American Flags
21. California Stars (with Okkervil River)
22. Misunderstood
23. Spiders (Kidsmoke)
24. Hummingbird

Encore 2:
25. The Late Greats
26. Heavy Metal Drummer
27. Hoodoo Voodoo
28. I'm A Wheel

The opening of 2009's concert season for the Anderson family has just been kicked off with a BANG!!!! I wish EVERYONE could have been there, that means ALL of you.

Highlights - WILCO the Song, Jeff banter (as always), Jeff's kids playing on stage, pinnacle moment was definitely Misunderstood. Please see below:

Top 10 Must Have Albums of 2009

2009-06-14T17:57:00.000-07:00

10. Depeche Mode - Sounds of the Universe - Some really good songs and some mediocre songs. Overall, just excited they got together and put an album together, followed by hitting the road.

9. Our Lady Peace - Despite being from Canada, they make life cool. Love everything they pull out. Great live band too.

8. Alice and Chains - After seeing them live last year, I am intrigued. The new singer is really good.

7. Aerosmith - Need I say more. Steven Tyler is amazing.

6. Blur - Bring it

5. Aaron Lewis - Every time that guy pulls out a solo song, tour, or appearance, he makes it magical.

4. Pearl Jam - Backspace - Sept 22 - New song debut on Connan's first night. Good stuff and feeling like a live album already.

3. Wilco - Wilco the Album - Out June 30th, currently streaming on their site www.wilcoworld.net. Great album. May be another album that I hit play on June 30th and it rolls through for about 3 months straight.

2. U2 - No Line On the Horizon - Before the concert begins, there are several songs I can't wait to see take shape live. Every time a new album comes out, my attitude changes when the songs are played live and Bono tells the story and inspiration of each song. Larry, let Bono speak....it brings further validity to the music.

1. Green Day - 21st Century Breakdown - One of the most complete albums I have ever heard. Opera, theater, multi stanza format. Unique in our day and time. May go down as the album of the year. The bar sits there and someone will need to raise it. I relish something better.

There are so many more. This year will be great. Hope it brings them out on tour, may make the tour page larger.

2009 Summer Tour

2009-06-14T17:39:00.000-07:00

So the family and I just sat down to document the 2009 summer tour. Not sure how I live this life, but it is being lived. Please allow me to document.

July 3rd - Red Rocks - WILCO - No better way to kick off the year. 4 days after the launch of the new album, should be fun.

July 24 - Croke Park - Dublin - Who else....U2 - Home land, home band. A dream. Enough Said.

Aug 7 - Chicago - Lollapalooza

Aug 16 - SLC - Green Day - First time seeing Green Day. Expectations are high.

Aug 17 - Red Rocks - Depeche Mode - Good friends, good venue, great band. This is guaranteed to be a highlight of the concert year.

Sept 2 - Possible improv night in an unmentioned city.

Sept - Soldier Field - U2 - US opener in the greatest town in the US.

Sept - Boston - U2 - Backstage and in a great city. If you haven't figured it out, U2 dominates the tour schedule in 2009.

Sept 26 - SLC - Killers - Mikael and I will be going to see one of his favorite bands. This will be the 4th time I will see them in less than a year.

Oct 2 - Austin - ACL - Pearl Jam - Birthday with Eddie, Any day. Not the first time.

Oct 23 - Las Vegas - U2 - Family gig.

Just the beginning. There will be two or three added days between now and November. Living the dream.

Bono, Chris Martin and Killers - All These Things That I Have Done

2009-02-22T17:14:00.001-08:00

After a U2 performance across the street for the Brit Awards, Bono wandered over to join Chris Martin and The Killers on stage. Coldplay and The Killers were at the O2 doing a benefit concert for War Child. Unannounced to the fans, after Chris Martin tunes the guitar and Brandon Flowers pounds on the keys to start off the song and sings the open lick to the song, Bono wanders out. Check it out!!!!!

One of the best songs of modern day. I have seen The Killers in concert three times and this song brings on one amazing spiritual moment. A unity of sorts.

The Greasy Lumberjack U2 Review - New Line On The Horizon

2009-02-21T07:35:00.000-08:00

(Image from Rolling Stone)

Track by track review:

No Line On The Horizon - A punch in the face, then the melody starts to crawl up and spin around your head like those little cartoon birds swirling. They break it up, then bring it back together. Great start, now I want to hear it ALL.

Magnificent - The Edge takes it into next generation. You don't know if his guitar is a voice or an instrument, because he exists in areas of music where others have tried, but nobody conquers so well. Adam and Larry tie it all together as they do so well. You know what I mean, where they reside in the backgrounds, but without them it would be naked. They dress it up. Bono summons the multiple u2 decades of 80's, 90's and 00's to please unite!!!!! Merge all entities to become MAGNIFICENT.

Moment of Surrender - Smooth. Take that tune and and drive down a street with the seat tipped back a bit and window down. Heads will turn and you will look smooth. The moment of surrender will be when those around you will say either internally or verbally, "Love Believes in Me".

Unknown Caller - The beginning riff on this song is memorable. I waited mid stream to get back into this song. Just about when your impatience develops, hold tight for the remainder of the journey. Very unique U2 song. Wait till they pound this one out live!!! It will take on a new world.

I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight - A single for sure. Bono carries this tune. The lyrics pierce the eardrums and touch the soul. Mission Accomplished!!!!

Get On Your Boots - Perfect Timing. "The Future Needs A Big Kiss". If you haven't heard this song yet, you are not alive. If you are not alive, play this song and it is the modern day musical defibrillator. A couple of puffs of fresh air into the lungs of this album. A pause from the righteous everyday agenda for some pure ROCK AND ROLL!!!!

Stand Up Comedy - You always fear coming off a good Rock and Roll song like Get On Your Boots and drip off a bit. Are you serious? Did he just say, "Stop helping God across the road like a little old lady"? Bold and deep at the same time. When you hit this track, STAND UP, or you will be PULLED UP. "Stand up for your love"!!!! WOW

Fez Being Born - After hearing that tune, I want to go to Morocco. Anyone in? If that isn't the song they bust out playing after an encore break, I will be surprised. The kind of song that could be sung in a small club with mini strobe lights and simultaneously fill the likes of an open stadium the seats 200,000 people. It reaches out and hits everyone the same and draws everyone to the feet's of the stage. Mesmerizing.

White As Snow - Since it just snowed this morning, it paints the very picture of seeing a good snow storm coming down and the street lights exposing the flakes. You know the kind, where you stop doing whatever you considered important and catch yourself in another place hypnotised by the environment around you. I woke from my hypnotic slumber by the tear that rolled down my face during this song. It may take a while before I get to the next song.

Breathe - Snap out of it, time to kick it up about 10 notches. Start pumping fists one more time. The lyrics made me shake my head in amazement. Walk around this song for a minute, then pick up the pace. Now look down, is your foot tapping too?

Cedars of Lebanon - Just listen to it. Mom just kissed your boo boo better and put a Bandaid on it, then tucked you in bed with a hot glass of milk and your favorite blanket. Enjoy.

Conclusion: This is the first time U2 has come out with an album that I either haven't said, that sounds like this U2 album or compared them to another influence of theirs or mine. They have created a masterpiece and established a new sound AGAIN. Cover to Cover, not a single song will be skipped through. Please excuse me a minute, I have to go start the player back up again. Happy Journey!!!

LISTEN FOR YOURSELF -

http://www.myspace.com/u2

Pearl Jam, Green Day, U2, Coldplay, Depeche Mode Updates

2009-02-14T11:35:00.000-08:00

The rumor board starts to flow.

PEARL JAM

Pearl Jam is officially in the studio working hard to finalize a new album in 2009. You know what that means, a tour!!!! It will be three years since my last PJ concert....bring it out on the stage boys, you are the best..

Also on the PJ front, the remastering of 10....the best album to come out of the 90's. It is due out next month. Every remastered album I have picked up so far has offered a better cleaner sound, can't wait to see what they can perfect on that album.

GREEN DAY

Green Day announced, at the Grammy's, a new album soon, "Breakdown". It has been 5 years since "American Idiot" and then they will hit the road. It looks like in July they will hit some arenas in the states. I can't miss them this time around.

The day is getting closer to the new album, "No Line on the Horizon". Search your respective sites for snippets to the new songs and head out to u2.com to see the new video for "Get On Your Boots". Every day I get more and more pumped.

A little secret about OUR line on OUR horizon......Ireland. Once that sucker gets officially announced, we will be on the horizon into Dublin.

Coldplay

Bringing it back. Coldplay announced a revisit to the US to do a couple of outdoor arenas. I got to hit just one of those, so choose wisely.

Depeche Mode

New album, "Sounds of the Universe" is out the 20th of April. US Tour still not announced, but on the wish list!!!!

Maybe Lollapalloza?

DJ Corbijn

2009-02-01T20:17:00.000-08:00

Corbijn and I spent a few minutes musically bonding at California Adventure.

Waiting outside of one of the rides with him, I pulled out the IPhone and played a little MGMT and cued up the ITurn application. ITurn is an application that allows you to listen to music and scratch during your favorite tune. After a few minutes of watching me do it, DJ Corbijn strapped on the headset and went Mike D on the IPhone.

Now Corbijn can express his new found talent without much coercion.

The Killers in Chicago, Jan 20, 2009

2009-02-01T19:56:00.000-08:00

Another night and I was talked into the Killers again. We had a meeting get scheduled in Chicago where the Killers were playing another night. One hour before the concert, we acquired some decent seats and three friends entered the UIC Pavilion.

The crowd always makes a concert and the band was playing off the vibe. The place erupted in excitement as the Killers mimicked the playlist from several nights before, but there was something different. Brandon was getting into the crowd's face, egging them on, which forced further eruptions.

"All These Things That I Have Done" is always a person favorite, cause I've got Soul but I'm not a Soldier. Once again, this night was extra special as the crowd carried the intro into the Soul chant. Brandon was visibly loving it as much as we were, as he hopped around the stage in excitement.

Still, coming back out for the encore and taking the audience into the mid 80's with a little Joy Division cover was priceless. One of the best covers ever done, as well as a great song for a beautiful movie (Control), Shadowplay. The lights went down and I took a literal journey back into my earlier life. Alisa thought I was Jan Brady seeing Johnny Bravo for the first time as I hurled a scream across the arena. Needless to say.........I AM RESOLD ON THE KILLERS.

OVER AND IN, LAST CALL FOR SIN!!!!!!!!

I DID EVERYTHING, EVERYTHING I WANTED TO

I LET THEM USE YOU, FOR THEIR OWN ENDS

TO THE CENTER OF THE CITY IN THE NIGHT, WAITING FOR YOU!!!!!!!!

The Killers Magness, Denver Jan 17, 2009

2009-02-01T19:27:00.000-08:00

"It Started With A Low Light

Next Thing I Knew They Ripped Me From My Bed........."

An applicable opening, the 2009 Killers opening concert was held in Denver, CO with a full crowd and restless emotion. My last encounter with the Killers was decent, and my expectations were extremely high. It was an enjoyable night with Christin, Megan and Brian. All together, I left satisfied and not really dieing for more. Could have been my last Killers concert and I would have been fine.........then came Chicago.

WILCO Announcement

2008-12-24T08:46:00.000-08:00

Wilco heard my voice from Denver loud and clear. After the Baltimore trip, I proclaimed that more people should feel the power of a Wilco live set. They will be making it happen in '09 with their upcoming DVD "Ashes of American Flag".

Also due up for '09 is a new album in the Spring. I refuse to speculate on what the sound would be like as every album has been refreshingly unique. A new album always drags them out on a supporting tour, can't wait. I believe that made Christin's Christmas Eve!!!!

U2 New Album Release set for March 3rd

2008-12-22T18:49:00.000-08:00

No Line On The Horizon is set to release in the States on March 3rd.

Here are the song titles listed in the Q album preview (as found on www.atu2.com):

"Magnificent" ("classic U2isms" ... "atmospheric sweep")
"Crazy Tonight" (will.i.am worked on this one)
"Stand Up" ("swaggering" ... "coruscated Edge guitar work")
"Get Your Boots On" ("a heaving electro-rocker")
"Winter" ("about a soldier in an unspecified war zone")
"Unknown Caller" ("stately")
"Moment of Surrender" ("a strident seven-minute epic recorded in a single take")
"Breathe" (Eno loves this song)
"No Line On The Horizon" (there were two versions being considered at the time)
"Every Breaking Wave" (Bono: "We might be on to something special there.")

Also, thanks to Q Magazine for the picture. What a great photo. Bono looks hot in eye shadow.

WILCO in Baltimore

2008-12-20T06:17:00.000-08:00

Anniversary 2008 and it was time for Christin to see her first WILCO concert of 2008. I had seen them two other times this year, but this was going to be a treat because it was not only the first time Christin had seen them in '08, but it was also the first time my brother Jon and a friend's (due to blogger edict we shall call her M) first time seeing a full plugged in and energetic concert by WILCO. Having new people learn of WILCO is a guilty pleasure of mine.

As the band wandered out and strummed out the beautiful tune of Sunken Treasure it was for sure setup to be a gorgeous night at a venue Baltimore should be very proud of having. What I appreciated was that the fans were very reverent during Sunken Treasure allowing me to engulf myself in the moment. For those of you that have not heard the song, this is the truest form of poetry of our days. Allow me to share:

There's rows and rows of house, with windows painted blue.

With the light from the t.v. running parallel to you.

But there is no sunken treasure, rumored to be.

Wrapped inside my ribs in a sea black with ink.

I am so out of tune with you, I am so our of tune with you.

If I had a mountain, I'd try to fold it over.

If I had a boat (or bone), you know I'd probably roll over.

And I leave it on the shore, I'd leave it for somebody.

Surely there's somebody who needs it more than me.

I am so out of tune with you, I am so our of tune with you.

All the leaves will burn and autumn fires then return.

All the fires we burn, all will return.

Music is my savior, and I was maimed by rock and roll.

I was maimed by rock and roll.

I was tamed by rock and roll.

I got my name from rock and roll.

Midway through the opening set John stepped up to the microphone for something very special, he sang It's Just That Simple. After well over 20 WILCO concerts, this is the first time I have heard this song.

Other highlights of the night was Jeff's obvious looseness with the crowd. He conversed more with the crowd than I have ever heard before. Even one moment during Jesus Etc., he paused, because he screwed up, fixed the problem and then talked about where his head was at during the screwup. Funny stuff.

Towards the end, right before "Kingpin" he even asked a audience member to give up his neck brace so he could wear it. Sure enough, he shared his stage sweat with the lucky fan.

Via Chicago, California Stars, A Shot in the Arm all made the setlist. If I could have picked a setlist, this would have been a top choice. So fun and then to wrap it up with Red Eyed and Blue followed by I Got You and then wrapping up the night with Outtasite (Outtamind) you have gotta be kidding me. Best closer I have ever heard them play. Left me jonesing for some more of the WILCO.

M and Jon both are long time converted fans.

Smashing Pumpkins at the Ogden, Denver, CO

2008-12-20T05:31:00.000-08:00

Intimate. Not a word used to describe Smashing Pumpkins most days, but this is the third time in a little over a year that I have seen them play and this was certainly intimate.

When the Pumpkins resurfaced, it was rumored that their intent was to play big shows like we saw at Red Rocks, but to also find time to play smaller venues. The other night at the Ogden was just that, a smaller venue. As Billy put it, they came to play what they wanted and we were pleased. All I can say is that this was by far the best concert I have heard them play.

There was plenty of fun, experimentation with sound and stripped down play time. Audience interaction was sufficient, although at times they were on cue and everyone was enjoying. For a concert that was announced a week before the performance it was sold out and filled with what seemed to be true fans.

Half the reason I show up at a Smashing Pumpkin concert is to see what Billy shows up wearing. This time he didn't disappoint, a black spider T-shirt, a gorgeous skirt, visible Shazam tights and very sexy old school Nike's. Sometimes I wish I was a rockstar so I could just sport whatever I want on stage. Jealous.

The approach to announcing the concerts that quickly has my vote, the scalping was minimized to outside the concert. That is fine, since if you made the trip downtown and didn't have tickets you were most likely a fan that was desperate for tickets. Very smart approach.

All and all, great set list, great music and great to see them again. Here are a few snaps from that night with my phone. Quality isn't all that good, but the images still hold a few memories for me.

Working Out and Keeping the Beat with Depeche Mode

2008-11-28T09:33:00.000-08:00

For those of you who spent most of your life in the 80s enjoying singles accompanied by every remix of that song, this post is for you. Deep down inside a massive beat hits you when you hear the melodic stereophonic sound of the hubcap spinning at the beginning of the Depeche Mode Behind the Wheel/Route 66 Megasingle Mix off the Just Say series of CDs that came out in the late 80s.

That same piecing feeling helps you maintain the beat what you hit a treadmill. Recently I find myself cuing up the AppleTv to play the remix albums I recently purchased. Your choice, Depeche Mode Remix, New Order Best Remixes or OMD Singles, which contains some of the greatest remixes out there. Now, I am not a techno danceclub fiend, but I am a fan of the feeling that comes from the beat.

WARNING: YOU MAY WANT TO FANATICALLY WAVE YOUR HANDS LIKE THE OLD NEW WAVE DANCE, SO HOPE YOUR BALANCE IS GOOD WHILE RUNNING.