Houston International Festival

I guess the visuals trumped the verbals this time, but here goes:

1 Can’t Let Go
2 Drunken Angel [with much nostalgic talk of the Houston Theodore’s venue, of meeting “the guitar player Gurf Morlix” there–“lots of beginnings, and some endings too. . .”]
3 The Night’s Too Long
4 Concrete and Barbed Wire
5 I Lost It [with due mention of the Happy Woman Blues album being recorded in Houston]
6 Crescent City
7 Born to Be Loved [followed by “we all need to be reminded of that sometimes”]
8 Buttercup [more on misguided FM DJ’s and the post-badboy era]
9 Essence
10 Changed the Locks
11 Honeybee
______________________________________
12 Joy [with the former Mellencamp guitarist, as noted by Lafayette]
13 For What It’s Worth [with DG}

I’ll let the videos stand as supplements; Billy Joe Shaver does a good “White Freightliner” on the Poet Townes tribute record, but this one rocked out, flat. Grissom played with Joe Ely throughout his set, though Lu retreated to the shade/bus after this one song, I think. Despite it being a one-hour afternoon fest slot, Lu was emotional and happy and solid throughout. All the difference in the world between a 4:30 post time and a 1:40 one. . . So the no-more-than-three-days-in-a-row rule was suspended to great effect in this case, and here’s to a well deserved off night for fans and Lu personnel alike…

@Lafayette wrote:

I’m impressed, stoger, you knew David was former JM guitarist. Common knowledge or did you use a cheat sheet? 😆
WELL, I SIMPLY TURNED TO TOUR MANAGER ERIC AFTER THE SET AND ASKED “WHERE HAVE I SEEN THAT NAME GRISSOM IN LINER NOTES? WHO HAS HE PLAYED WITH? THE “M” BOYS–MELLENCAMP AND MCMURTRY–DOMINATED HIS ANSWER. YOU’D BE SURPISED HOW MUCH I “CHEAT” FOR MY INFO ON THIS FORUM 😀 . . .
Even more JM references in this thread. Mellencamp’s 2001 effort was titled “Cuttin’ Heads.” 😉

I have to agree, Lu has a tight band with the addition of Blake. Not to be forgotten is David. I always feel like the bass player in a band plays the role of an offensive or defensive lineman—protecting the quarterback or opening up holes for the running back— a key player that seldom gets the recognition they deserve.

Thanks for the reports all! Apologies for raining on your setlist parade, stoger.

@tntracy wrote:

Just noticed LWJ already posted a link to the HoustonPress article. Mea culpa… 😳

Tom

Ha, Ha, no problem Mr. Moderator, I’ll still extend B’day greetings to you on my B’day. (remember ?)

lwj

An amazing time at the Houston IFest and a perfect ending to a trip that included concerts at NO Jazz Fest, New Orleans HOB, and Stubbs Austin.

Met Lu and Tom (got my Blessed cd and Stubbs tix signed) after the set!
Also shook Butch’s hand and chatted with David..

But the kicker?
Shaking Mr. Bobby Keys (as close to a Rolling Stone as there is) and thanking them all for the great music and times provided.

A blessed trip, indeed.