To: hix@yahoogroups.com From: Barb Date sent: Dec. 21 2005 Subject: Dan at the Triple Door, Seattle WA, Dec. 20 Hi everyone, Frequent non-contributor here. I caught the early show of Holidaze in Hicksville last night at the Triple Door in Seattle. What a marvelous, well-designed venue. It's a dinner/entertainment venue, and all seats face the stage. Great acoustics, and a stage large enough to accommodate a big band. Dan was in great form, commenting that the band had to adjust to such a large stage; they were used to performing in his living room. His accessories included flashing lights on his collar, white shoes, and a large shiny $ pendant. As one woman shouted out "Nice bling, Dan!". I arrived in time for part of the sound check - Walkin' One and Only, which must have been for second show as they didn't play it in the first one. I didn't write a song list but here's what I remember from the 75- minute set in no particular order. Someone Stole My Santa Claus Suit Daddy Drank Up Christmas Song for [my] Santa Canned Music I Scare Myself I Feel Like Singing Hell, I'd Go I'm an Old Cowhand Honeysuckle Rose Those last two I hadn't previously heard live before. My sister got very exited when she recognized the opening music to Song for My Father, as it's one of her favorites and she didn't know that Dan played it. Dan rewrote the lyrics to become Song for Santa. He introduced the band a couple of times but the audience was so appreciative, "you're too kind, ladies and gentlemen" that I didn't catch a single name. I may have seen the guitar and bass players before, but not the violinist or the Lickettes. Both Lickette's solo'd on Cowhand and had beautiful voices. My only wish was that they had turned up Dan's mic just a touch. We missed a lot of comments and even some lyrics. But it was still a great show, and my sister and I wouldn't mind trying to catch the late show on Thursday. Happy Holidaze! Barb   To: hix@yahoogroups.com From: Barb Date sent: Fri, 23 Dec 2005 Subject: Oops, I did it again My sister and I again graced the audience at the late show last night at the Triple Door. They played for about an hour and a half, maybe a bit more. I understand the 7:00pm show was standing room only but the 9:30pm show looked perhaps two-thirds full. We Seattle people just don't know how to stay out past 9:00pm despite all the coffee. Our seats were great - close and center. I caught a few names this time around...The Lickette's were Daria and Roberta, who each sang jazzy solos in the set, guitarist was Dave Bell, still didn't catch the bass player, and the violinist was introduced as Gary Locke which got a laugh (former governor of WA) but I didn't get his real name. Dan brought a special guest out of the audience to sing. Her name was Betsy Holt, whom I found referred to in a Google search as "Olympia's own acoustic Blues Mama". She sang Reelin' Down and the audience was most appreciative. And since it's quite possibly my favorite Hicks tune, made me very happy. I hope everyone has a happy Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and/or Festivus. Barb   From: Larry Wilson Subject: The Triple Door in Seattle on December 22 2005 Date sent: Tue, 27 Dec 2005 14 The dinner show at the Triple Door in Seattle on December 22nd 2005 was not what I had hoped for. I am very pleased that Dan Hicks is still around and playing, and even though I left underwhelmed by the group's performance, I would do it all over again. I guess all musicians have their good nights and their bad. After seeing him at Jazz Alley in August of "04, (see my concert review) I was really expecting more. In my opinion, I believe Dan was either tired, or saving himself for another night. I also thought the Lickettes would have been more appropriately named the Suckettes with their lack luster rendition of "I'm an Ol' Cowhand." "I Scare Myself", and "Canned Music" although good tunes and probably the most requested, I find lacking in the enthusiam of many, if not most of his other works. I can't help feeling disappointed when I think of all of the other tunes he could have played but didn't. There was nothing from his "Beatin' the Heat" CD. Don't know why. I got my money's worth I guess, but I would have paid much more for a better concert. You still make me smile and give me happy feet Dan and I look forward to seeing you perform the next time you come to Seattle. Just hoping for better next time. Thanks anyway, Larry Wilson Covington, WA