Off to Duluth - 2 days before my birthday as well. Happy! Congrats to those who got tix during the fan presale: good luck to those buying VIP tix and through AmEx!

Tickets for both Arcade Fire shows in Brooklyn next August lined up... ...just need to get tickets now for Toronto in March and I'm set! Van Morrison and (daughter) Shana Morrison up next.

WixRocks!:

Let us know how Billy Joel is! We've got a thread going for him too... Hoping he makes his way closer to my area in 2014. He's got two dates in FL so far...and NYC on New Years Eve of course... Paul Simon & Sting are doing a joint Arena tour this March...but I think I'll pass. I can just begin to imagine how over-priced that one is gonna be...

Just found out about Billy Joel - not sure how I missed the news! Have never seen him so will see if anything's left in the general sale tomorrow morning (but am not hopeful!). But he's definitely on the "bucket list" so hope I can grab something. Fwiw, I'll be moving out of NYC within the next 18 months so have literally been breaking the bank to cram in as many shows as possible while they're still accessible - while Asheville, NC has become a very happening spot over the last few years, there's no way all these folks will be rolling through! This feels obscene typing it to be honest... Upcoming shows: The Eagles - tonight! Sinead O'Connor - tomorrow Alison Moyet - 11/14 Van Morrison - 11/25 Patti Smith - 12/27 Neil Young - 1/9 Paul Simon & Sting (yes I did ops: ) - 3/4 Ennio Morricone (famed film composer/conductor - 3/23

^^ Awesome photo!! Thank you! I probably should've smushed my way closer to the stage but I'm not the best with crowds so hung out on the stairs above the TKTS booth. Not complaining though by any stretch - still can't quite believe it!

Just got back to work - it was great!!! Only a (relative) handful of folks up to 1pm but by 1:15pm, started getting pretty crowded. Still plenty of room to dance though! Those following by webcam probably got the better deal in one sense as the "live" sound was frankly awful unless you were really close but who cares. Walking 6 blocks from the office to see Paul flippin' McCartney ain't shabby! And only in New York can you have mobs of people blithely walking by without any inclination to find out what's going on! Queenie Eye definitely the standout but all four sounded good - get back on the road, man!

Anyone (else) heading down? At least the rain has stopped for the moment - good omen!

^^ Thanks for the reply, Audi - hadn't heard about that "alleged" business. Sad to say though there are *way* too many fellows I admire who play music that have "allegedly" done the same... And interesting re the "mini-reunion": that's a real shame if he's *that* petty (and if so, why bother letting Christine do even one song then?). To be fair, I tend to agree with him if it turned into a come-and-go sort of thing but for a one-off? B*ll*x, Lindsey - let her sing/play!

audi:

Lindsey Buckingham has been sounding pretty bad, vocally, on this tour. His guitar work is as brilliant as ever, though. And, plus, I'm irritated at him for allowing Christine McVie to do only ONE song when she joined them onstage last week. Lindsey is venturing into douche territory.

Where was this, Audi - and was there indication that she actually *wanted* to do more than one? She could obviously do as many as she likes if she'd just rejoin the group! Not sure that's enough to put Lindsey in "douche territory" for me but I'm happy enough to be convinced if there are other things?

Holly Days:

9/12 - Lennon Remembered w/ Bob Gruen, Jack Douglas & Bettye LaVette

Just had to pop in here and mention this show last week..... it was really enjoyable! Theatre Within, an organization here in NY that, among other things, throws an annual benefit show in John's honor, put this evening at City Winery on. I'll admit I was a little less than impressed by the fellow who MC'd the evening's events, despite him clearly being a nice guy and a huge Lennon fan. I just didn't think he was a good fit considering the calibre of guests. And what guests! Bob Gruen - I assume everyone on here knows his work and he told some nice stories about the years he spent with John & Yoko. He's done it all, seen it and photographed it! Also talked about the evening he hung out at the Dakota and who popped by but none other than Paul & Linda. Said how he was dying to snap photos but since no one ever suggested/encouraged it, he left the camera in the bag. That certainly epitomizes the sort of relationship he had with his friends/subjects - all about respect (i.e., never did nor would do a "tell-all" book though boy would he have stories to tell!). If you haven't seen the recent Showtime documentary on him, by all means try to track down a copy. Jack Douglas - what a pistol! And he told some great stories as well, best of which was his journey to Liverpool as a young musician back in the 60's to be "part of the scene". Some nice stories about John and the making of Double Fantasy but also his work much earlier as an engineer on the "Imagine" album. Funny fellow and obvious tops at what he does as a recording professional. Dennis Elsas - NY on-air personality who hosted the legendary '74 interview where John Lennon spent several hours in the radio booth reminiscing and acting as guest DJ. Played some clips from that interview and talked about how much of a surprise it was that Lennon actually took him up on the offer to come in to the studio! Bettye LaVette - if you don't know who she is, get on it! R&B singer who's been around donkey's years but finally got her due when performing "Love, Reign O'er Me" at the Kennedy Center Honors tribute to The Who a few years back. She performed three Lennon-penned songs, the standout of which was an absolutely spine-tingling version of "Wait". You could've heard a pin drop and the audience erupted in rapturous applause afterwards. (I believe it's already surfaced on YouTube so check it out.) She also performed "I'm Only Sleeping" and "Watching The Wheels" but she knocked "Wait" right out of the ballpark and then some. All in all, a very good evening had for sure! Next up, "Another Day Another Time - The Music of 'Inside Llewyn Davis'". Benefit concert highlighting music from the upcoming Coen Brothers film about the 60s NY folk scene and featuring live performances by an impressive list of folks inclding Marcus Mumford, Patti Smith, the Avett Brothers, Jack White, Gillian Welch and Joan Baez amongst many, many others. Can't wait!

Wow - that's got to be the oddest lineup of artists I've ever seen on one bill! Not to say there are any "wasters" on there but it's certainly extremely eclectic, even with all of them decidedly on the "pop" side. As for why Paul is there, the cynic in me says it's to keep attendees from running to the blackjack tables while some of the other artists are on (I know *I'd* be off for a fair number of them!). Would be great if he premieres a new number or two...I hope so...but I'm a wee bit skeptical myself. Definitely about keeping in the public eye for get folks primed for a new album but not sure this would be setting for more than one song debut.