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After the week of Snowdown
that we Durangoans just lived through, I would assume that those
of us who have not yet joined a monastery or been admitted to
rehab, plan on taking it easy this week. That’s a fine
idea, but there is still plenty of stuff going on for those
of you not getting a liver or brain transplant. I don’t
want to say last week was out of control, but I probably saw
more 35-year-old women crying and 22-year-old guys puking than
in all of my past experience. And being a bartender, I see that
sort of thing from time to time. But I digress, we have fortunately
moved on to saner, less indulgent times.
 This
week’s action begins on Friday night with James “Superharp”
Cotton bringing his roadshow to the concert hall at Fort Lewis
College. Obviously a harmonica player, Cotton learned from Sonny
Boy Williamson, and myth has it that he plays so hard that the
harmonica will sometimes fall apart in his hands. One should
expect more that just a guy blowing on a harp, though. Cotton
has earned a reputation as a consummate showman and will have
a full band that should result in a rockin’ good time.
Plus the Concert Hall is opening the dance floor for those who
wish to shake their booties, and Steamworks will be selling
beer. Steamworks also is offering a dinner, transportation and
ticket packages for $50. Concert tickets range from $18-$25.
 A
few months ago, Austin rockers The Gourds played an insanely
fun set for a jubilant sold-out Storyville. They are back again,
and this time for two nights, Saturday and Sunday. If you have
been living under a rock or have just returned from your five
years in the Peace Corps, let me tell you all about The Gourds.
They are a five-piece band with a sound that’s a bit hard
to describe. It’s a little folk, a little rock, a little
country and a lot kooky. The semi-recent addition of Max Johnston
(Uncle Tupelo, Wilco) has helped flesh out their sound and added
yet another name to the group’s long list of songwriters.
If you go, expect packed houses both nights, a fun-loving crowd
and several hours of great, often funny, music. A lot of people
I know are going both nights, and the $10 tickets are moving
fast.
On Saturday night, Durango will be graced with the presence
of Spencer, the “world’s fastest” hypnotist.
I’ve seen these hypnotists before, and while I may doubt
their ability to gain control over another person with the flick
of a wrist, it’s still fun to watch a grown man crawl
around on all fours and bark like a dog. Even if you think hypnotists
are scamming us, you probably have a laugh watching people do
crazy things and who knows, your mind may be changed. The happening
takes place at the Diamond Circle Theatre on Feb. 8 at 8 p.m.
and should end in time for you to make the beginning of The
Gourds.
Those who are headed north should know that the Reverend Horton
Heat will begin a mini tour of Colorado tonight, Feb. 6, in
Denver. The tour will come as close as Aspen on Feb. 11. For
many, the good Reverend alone is worth the drive, but if you
will be up that way anyhow be sure to catch the show nearest
you. The last time I saw the band was in Santa Fe in this long,
narrow hall with horrendous sound. In spite of all that, I had
a great time; that’s how good they are. Check out reverendhortonheat.com
for more specifics.
This Week’s Sign That the Ends is Near: “The Goods”
is not a political column, and nor should it be seeing as how
I’ve got about as much political savvy as the “Simpson’s”
Barney Gumbel, which happens to be one of our many shared traits.
However, this week I just can’t help but show off the
fact that I watched our president’s entire State of the
Union speech. No matter where you live on the political belief
spectrum, I can’t see how anyone could possibly believe
that the Cheney-Bush juggernaut suddenly cares about clean air,
healthy forests, nonpetroleum burning cars or AIDS in Africa.
This is the same group that already eased air-pollution regulations
and threatened to shut down federal AIDS research, is it not?
They must think we are some stupid folk. Thank you, next week
I’ll go back to whining about really important stuff like
pasta pots, sports and Cher.
This Week’s The Best Album I’ve Heard in Months:
Brian Connoly is probably best known for writing and performing
the theme song for the sketch comedy show “Kids in the
Hall” with his former band, Shadowy Men on a Shadowy Planet.
Others may know him as one of Neko Case’s “boyfriends”
or co-conspirator with the Canadian group The Sadies. “Gowns
by Edith Head,” recorded under the name Atomic-7, is the
latest incarnation of Connoly and company.
Picking up where Shadowy Men left off, there are plenty of
secret-agent surf instrumentals to keep the purists happy, but
Atomic-7 goes further with nods to lounge, jazz and country.
With 19 songs, this album clocks in at just more than 40 minutes,
which should inform the listener that Atomic-7 isn’t wasting
any time. I don’t think any song is longer than 2 1/2
minutes. That, my friends, is what rock and roll was meant to
be.
“Gowns by Edith Head” boasts some of the best song
titles I’ve ever heard such as “Save Your Fork,
There’s Pie,” “Artistry in Nachos” and
the instant classic “You Ain’t Havin’ Fun
Till You’re Dialin’ 911.”
All in all, there is not a party or road trip in the world
that wouldn’t be made a little better by this record.
You can get more information on Atomic-7 at mintrecs.com.
You talkin’ to me? mpsheahan@yahoo.com
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