I ain't ashamed to admit that I wept hard when my 18-year-old cat & best pal ever, Miss Miko-san, died in February. But then Wilco "(The Album)" came along & gave us another "sonic shoulder to cry on." Fortunately, I had more cause for joy than sorrow this year. My Song of the Year award goes to Neko Case for "People Gotta Lot of Nerve" (from her brilliant 2009 album "Middle Cyclone"), a perfect pop tune with an animal-rights/wildlife-revenge theme.
Both of my favorite concerts occurred outdoors in the warm Wisconsin summertime:
* Justin Townes Earle twanged up Cathedral Square in downtown Milwaukee, a benefit for WMSE-FM ("anti-Established in 1981"). In addition to performing originals by the gifted son of hardcore troubadour Steve Earle, JTE & his mustachioed cartoonish seed-cap-wearin' hipster-hillbilly sidekick covered Mance Lipscomb & Hank Williams songs. [The Grand Ole Opry has sinned--time to let dead Hank back in.]
* Shemekia Copeland (daughter of Texas bluesman Johnny Copeland) shouted & growled the blues with a confidence far beyond her 30 years. She even stepped into the crowd sans microphone at the Racine Zoo's natural amphitheater. Backed by a tight band grooving hard on the moody murder ballad "Never Goin' Back to Memphis," Shemekia shared her powerful talent with an appreciative crowd of mostly whitefolks. God, she has soul to burn!
Watch for Racine's own folk 'n' rollers Folkswagon, a fun new band that inspired my move to Nashville. Their moving, heartfelt Thursday night sets at J.J. McAuliffe's bar on Monument Square, proved that Folkswagon & its charismatic singer/songwriter Rachelle Laundrie have a promising future. They're about to release a debut record, "Fresh Fruit"--buy it if you can find it. Better yet, catch them live the next time you're near Racine, Wisconsin.
Bob Dylan dropped a bomb, the bizarre & abominable charity project "Christmas in the Heart, but he redeemed himself with "Together Through Life," a bluesy bucket of guts that opens ominously with "Beyond Here Lies Nothin'." Thanks, Jack Frost (Zimmy's producer persona)--keep on nippin' at our ears!
Honorable mention goes to fellow Badger resident Cory Chisel & the Wandering Sons, who put on a fantastic December show at the Exit/In in Nashville. Check out his 2009 album "Death Won't Send a Letter" for some fine alt-country/retro-rock sounds.
Best of all, I discovered my mission on planet Earth this year. While acting as an agent for Kenosha bands Ash Can School (original rock) & The Hot Club of Rambler City (gypsy jazz), I devised a prickly alter ego named Joe Impresario. A showbiz wannabe, keen cultural critic & ecstatic poet all in one, Joe's motto is "Music is Life, y'all--Dig It!" After turning 49 in October, I took his advice. I abandoned my condo on the Root River in Ratscene U$A and hightailed it to Dixieland. I've found a temporary home at Music City Hostel, where American bohemians, budget travelers & international adventurers rub shoulders, entertained by Google, Ron & Tracee's tiny Boston terrier hostel mascot.
Ah, the old reliable geographical cure saves me again. Now it's time to convert a weird epiphany ("Go South, man!") into a paying profession. God knows I'm tryin', y'all. Wish me luck 'cause I'm a-gonna need plenty in this shark pool. What does the New Decade have in store for me, for you, for our culture? Stay tuned.
Dedicated to Vic Chesnutt (1964-2009) & Miko-chan (1990-2009). Rest in peace.
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