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Date:
Wed, 30 Apr 2008
From: Steve Ramirez
Subject: [hix] Dan in Phoenix, 4/29/08
To: hix@yahoogroups.com
Hi All,
After a 15 year hiatus from the Valley of the Sun, Dan returned to Phoenix,
this time with the Hot Licks (Lickettes: Daria, Roberta and "LickMen":
Dave, Richard and Paul). I was very pleased and surprised to hear that
they were going to be playing at the Rhythm Room, which seems to be
the sort of venue the Dan eschewed, a sort of a hole-in-the-wall night
club/bar which can be occasionally rowdy. Indeed, there was so much
chatter during the opening act (3-legged dog) that they were barely
audible. By contrast, Dan and company ascended to the stage to applause
followed by reverent silence, and launched into the intro song (topsy/swing
42) promptly at 9:00pm. what followed was a 2+ show full of playful
banter, virtuoso musicianship, and a few jabs at the sparsely-appointed
venue. the set was, as usual, a mixture of old classics, and a preview
of some new songs from an upcoming album, indeed, Dan was reading the
lyrics from a looseleaf binder for couple of his newer songs.
I didn't write a
set list, but here are songs I can remember:
Intro (Topsy/Swing
42)
Canned Music
the Diplomacy song (he said just wrote it that morning, and he was afraid
the lyrics were too deep, so he took it Phoenix, because he figured
we were intellectual enough to "get it")
Blues My Naughty Baby Gave to Me
Song for My Father
Ragtime Cowboy Joe (another new one, mentioned "Arizona" several
times)
I Scare Myself (replete with faux guitar solo)
I Feel Like Singing
I'm an Old Cowhand (lovely harmonies)
Evening Breeze
(I cant remember the name, said if was written by Elizabeth Cotten)
That Ain't Right
The Buzzard Was Their Friend (VERRRRY Long introduction, explaining
in detail the mechanics of the song)
Along Come a Viper
Pay Day Blues
My Blue Heaven (with dance routine)
outro (Limehouse Blues)
There was a LOT
of the trademark stage patter and exchanges with fans shouting out requests,
Dan even mentioned a bodily function (#1) to describe how excited he
was to be playing in Phoenix, to raucous laughter, he then scolded one
half of the crowd for being "too uptight" and praised the
other half for being "loose". Just a couple of his many deadpan-delivered
nuggets on the night.
After the show,
I had a pleasant but all-too-brief chat with Dan and the girls at the
signing table (once I was able to scrape my jaw off the floor, as I
have said, the pictures don't do these ladies justice). I was even invited
to come crash the "private function" tonight in Snottsdale.
Not likely, but I did appreciate the offer :)
I was fortunate
enough to meet and hang out with Hixtress Jos and her daughter Rita
(who got along famously with my daughter, who met us there) I was also
supposed to meet up with Hixtress A.K. from Maui, in town to visit family
members, but unfortunately a late complication prevented her from coming
to the show. Our loss.
A fabulous evening
of mirth, merriment and music. Let's do it again soon, Dan!
Steve
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