Festival Express

Let me tell you: myself and Al and Mikey F. went to go see Festival Express this last Sunday. This is a documentary about the week-long tour of Canada by train in 1970 that was undertaken by such luminaries as Janice Joplin, The Band, The Grateful Dead, Buddy Guy, The Flying Burrito Brothers, Bonnie and Delaney, etc. etc. etc. All the artists travelled together by train to each town, and there was no sleeping: only music and the opportunities for more music. The bands played and played, and there are some really good scenes. Possibly my favorite includes Rick Danko, Janice Joplin, Jerry Garcia, and Bob Weir drunk as hell and playing a ragged acoustic version of "Ain't No More Cane". Totally awesome. The best footage (in my opinion) is of The Band and of Janice. I definitely want to check this movie out again.

This weekend, please check out 3 buddies of ours that are playing shows in Denton (THU), Houston (FRI) LAST CONCERT CAFE, and Austin (SAT)--Drop Trio, BAGG, and Gnappy. Should be some mighty fine music.

Here is what I was able to piece together from a week ago Saturday:

SAT AUG 28, LAST CONCERT CAFE, HOUSTON, TX (with Sugar Free Allstars)
Soundcheck Jam, Varmint Poontang, Last Concert, New Waverly, Last Mile, Voyage of the Dawn Treader, Word Gets Around*, Buddy Boo**, Don't Fear the Reaper***, Dub>Heights, Sophisticated Frothy>What's the Buzz Reprise>Sweet Leaf
*With Little Stewie on vocal turntable
**with Chris from Sugar Free
***With Chris and Rob from Sugar Free

I think the best part of the show was our 10 minute jam that encompassed our soundcheck. This was really cool, and I hope that more of our shows will have more extemporaneous jamming. A jazz odyssey, if you will.