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I’ve never been much
for making New Year’s resolutions. I’d much rather
set unreasonable goals for myself and them break them all year
long. That way I get to feel like I let myself down all year,
not just one time. I did, however, make one resolution this
year. I resolved to write one column without saying anything
snotty or snide. And what better time than the present to knock
off my only resolution? So this week’s column will feature
no jabs at Albuquerque, club DJs or people who I think are stupid.
But don’t worry, I’ll get right back to being an
ass next week.
Country rock up-and-comers Cross Canadian Ragweed start off
a weekend filled with great live music at Storyville on Friday,
Jan. 3. Hailing from Stillwater, Oklahoma, the weedsters play
pretty much what you’d expect a band from Oklahoma with
a name like that. (Actually the name is a combination of the
band members’ last names, but that’s not important
now.) The sound is Southern-fried, but it rocks plenty hard,
and the band’s red necks are out for all to see. Yee-haw!
This should be a rip-snortin’ good time.
 In
the wrong hands the blues can be the worst kind of music there
is. This is not the case with a man named Guitar Shorty, who
will be doing two shows at Scoot ’n Blues on Friday. I
have seen Shorty a few times and have always left the club happy.
He plays an electric up-tempo set that will, for better or worse,
make everyone in the place dance. Have you ever walked by the
window of Scoot ‘n Blues when a band is playing? It ain’t
always pretty. (I know, I know, the resolution. I’ll have
to try again next week.) Guitar Shorty is doing an early show
around 5 p.m. and another show later that same night. The early
show is free, though, and then you can head up the street for
the Ragweed.
If Friday night doesn’t wear you out, then you can head
back to Storyville to see Zach Parrish play his brand of smokin’
blues. I have not yet seen Parrish, but several friends whose
taste I trust, say his show is a load of fun and he’s
an incredible guitar player. Call Storyville for times and prices.
 In
Santa Fe on Jan. 9, the legendary Arthel “Doc” Watson
will be playing at the Lensic Performing Arts Center and the
next night at the Hiland Theater in Albuquerque. If you don’t
know, Watson has played Appalachian folk music for more than
five decades and at 79 is still one of the best flat-pick guitarists
I have ever heard. He is touring less and less these days so
this could be one of your last chances to see this living legend
without having to drive for days.
This Week’s Sign That The End is Near: On Saturday the
4th, ESPN2 will broadcast a high school basketball game featuring
phenom LeBron James. This will be only the second time ESPN
has broadcast a regular season high school game, the first was
a couple of weeks ago when James’ team played the top
high school team in the nation. That game was the highest-rated
program on ESPN2 EVER! People (ESPN, sportswriters, even me)
are making money off a kid who can’t even talk to an agent
or sign a shoe deal. Plus, any chance that this kid would’ve
gone to college is shot by all this attention. Instead of getting
some semblance of an education he’ll be riding the pine
for the Memphis Grizzlies for the next two years.
 Box
Set of the Year: Spinart Records, in conjunction with Cooking
Vinyl Records, has released “Cigarettes and Carrot Juice”
by Camper Van Beethoven. CVB came out of Santa Cruz, Calif.,
in the mid-’80s and along with bands like REM, The Replacements,
The Minutemen and Husker Du, helped create what would eventually
be called “alternative rock.” Best known for the
semi-hit “Take the Skinheads Bowling,” it combined
ethnic-sounding instrumentals, straight ahead rock and sarcastic
lyrics to create a sound that was completely new but instantly
likable. CVB released four albums on its own label, Pitch a
Tent, and then recorded two more for Warner Brothers. All four
of the Pitch a Tent releases are included in the box set (with
original art) plus a fifth live disc touches on the highlights
of the two major label releases.
Whether you missed Camper Van Beethoven the first time around
or your vinyl copies are all scratched and worn, this is a must
have. And here’s the kicker: www.spinartrecords.com will
ship you the whole thing for 30 bucks. I paid way more in the
’80s when I individually bought them.
If you tell me about it, I can write about it. mpsheahan@yahoo.com
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