Hi Folks,
Here is my humble attempt to describe the Ry Cooder show last Thursday, September 1, 2011. Please take it with as many grains of salt as you wish.
For Joshua Zucker's excellent article in Thursday's Chronicle about the Wednesday show, go to www.sfgate.com
The Great American Music Hall was full, but not overly jammed; 700+. Demographics - mostly baby boomers, some young hipsters, predominantly Caucasian males. Notable elements becoming more common at the shows I attend with my age cohort are devices like canes and crutches. It was clear that people had planned for years and worked hard to get tickets for a good shot of Ry.
We started downstairs, which is not ideal when you're 5'3"(okay, maybe 5'51/2" in heels). We went upstairs to coat check and miraculously scored two chairs on the left side. Those who had dinner tickets were still waiting grumpily for their meals when the opening act began. Just like magic, everyone was suddenly in a great mood; Los Cenzontles sounded strong and were the perfect warmup for the main man.
This is the playlist so far as can be deciphered- I had no pen at first, so was taking notes in eye pencil until John rescued the situation.
1. Crazy 'Bout an Automobile
Includes the great lyric, "Every woman I know is crazy 'bout an automobile (x3) ... And here I am standing in nothing but rubber heels..."
2. White Man Ain't Worth Nothing (in the World These Days)
Introduced as "a bitter little song".
3. Boomer's Story
4. Why Don't You Try Me Tonight - sung with especially fiendish glee.
5. If There is a God (I think)
6. Do Re Mi - Flaco Jimenez came onstage to join the band at this point; Ry's comment was "the accordian is a young man's game..."
7. He'll Have to Go - author is Gentleman Jim ? (can't read the last name)
8. School is Out
9. At the Dark End of the Street
10. Corrida de Jesse James - "Another bitter little song.."
Jesse James in Heaven, is appalled by the bank bailouts - "give me back my trusty 44" and I'll take care of it... This song included the Banda horns, some of which were playing upstairs. Talk about a wall of sound!
11. Wooly Bully
Sam the Sham's hit tune: Included a tuba solo by Pablo Molina - stunning.
12. Ballad sung in Spanish - didn't catch the title; vocals by Julianna Comojere (sp?)
End of Set
Ry says, "We're going to do the encore backwards tonight"
13. Good Night Irene
14. Vigilante Man
This 2nd encore was amazing; deep, slow and sensual as only Ry Cooder can perform it. There's a good version on Youtube, 1970's or so.
He played a 1937 Rickenbacher (sp?) guitar which, he said, "blew up my 1941 amp".
Yours in great music,
Kathy
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