Slim Cessna's Auto Club - New Years Eve Eve show

I have seen Slim Cessna at the Lions Lair, Larimer Lounge, 3 Kings, Cricket on the Hill, Gothic Theater, outdoor stages and the Bluebird, but for whatever reason in the past decade and a year I haven't ever made it to a New Years Eve (or Eve Eve) show. So I was very excited this year when it came to fruition.

I was really excited that Tin Horn Prayer was opening the show because they are a tremendously energetic and great band to hear play live.

Here is their Video Crime Scene Clean Up Team:

and if you are interested in downloading their album on Bandcamp here is a link (you won't be sorry.... they are really terrific)... and they were the headliner for our Jockey Full of Bourbon show... at which they totally kicked ass!, so I seriously have a soft spot for them forever and always....

Here are a couple of shots I got of the show myself (the rest you can see on Flickr) -

If there is one comment that I would make about Tin Horn Prayer is that they should have been the second act... their energy and enthusiasm would have much better matched the evening had they played the middle slot at the show. The middle act was clearly NOT in the mood to be there... didn't have a plan for the set, played slow songs, asked for suggestions and generally talked alot which really honestly sucked.

I hadn't ever seen Drag the River before and was excited about it and now feel a little let down that they had such bad energy and seem to phone it in. I wasn't the only one that thought it. Next time Tin Horn Prayer... they shouldn't open the show... they should be in the middle slot.

Slim Cessna's Auto Club is this amazing mix of gospel, americana and brilliance.... I don't know if it was the energy being sucked out of the room completely from the second act but I wasn't feeling it as much as I have in the past. I usually leave a Slim show praising the fact that I have I just seen something truly special. Sure they were good. They are always good... but I have heard that these shows are always so amazing and this time ... I was left at the end thinking... well they were good but they were better... so much better at Benders....

It could have been that I was crammed right up front near the bar rail at the base of the stage and couldn't really hear much except the bass. It could have been that even Munly seemed tired. Slim seemed tired. The Reverend seemed to be working up a major sweat and it was truly unfortunate in the mix you couldn't hear him... really.... at times his slide sounded like a great gothic organ but that was all I could hear (could have been I was right next to his monitor too) but his banjo was buried. I should have moved to the middle of the room but when I do that I can't see anything because I am short so it was I have to take the fact that I can see with the fact that I can't really hear the vocals. Always a pleasure to see Bob Ferbache, too bad I couldn't hear his lap steel. I really should have moved. I know better.

Ok so here is this really great article that I just found which explains so very much... and honestly I am afraid of Munly. I am afraid of him because when I saw him play at the UMS a couple of years ago, he just scared the crap right out of me when he looked in my general direction. Some of the best pictures I have EVER taken have been of Munly at Benders I will admit and I know, I just know that he is a nice gentleman but I am so glad that I am not the only one.... he put the fear in me that night and I will NEVER forget it.

Ok so back to the show... the set was filled with some really great songs (I cheated and took pictures of the set list plate so I knew what to expect).

I was told that earlier in the show when Slim went to go into the crowd he was dropped on the floor... how young were these kids that they couldn't hold Slim up while he is crowd surfing???? I mean yet he is tall but the guy must weigh a buck ten wet?! I saw him climb back up on stage but missed (again... I am not tall so couldn't really see what was going on) that thankfully. That would have really made me sad.

So here are some of the shots I got, they aren't great, but it's due to vantage point completely....oh and the fact the security dude made me put the SX20 away (I think he thought it was a fancier multilens camera... it isn't... but he didn't know what it was so I wasn't going to make a scene... he didn't care, he just wanted to get back to texting or twitter or whatever on his phone)....

I ran into the problem of lots of lens flare from the lights but the rest of the set can be seen on flickr!

A great joys from the show... watching Gary Isaacs work. Seriously. I found myself watching him for more of the show that I realized. I wished I could see what he was seeing through his lens. I love his shots (and am such a dork that before the show started I told him). I know that when I am taking pictures at Slim Cessna's Auto Club shows and Munly shows I totally have him in the back of my head... which is why I go to B&W or Sepia for so many of my shots. Having him literally right above me freaked me out. I only wish that I could have gotten time to talk to him... one day.

Another joy... Mr. Andrew Novak. No words can explain how much I just like him. There is nothing in the world nicer than seeing him at a show and getting to wish him a New Years hello.

Finding Baca and John Moore outside after the show... a delight. These are nice fellows too.... I wish we HAD found the time to go grab a drink... I promise you guys... next time... and I will buy the first round... it's in "print" and online so it must be true!

Something else as an aside... Jello Biafra came out on stage during Satan... I am not quite sure if the kids around us had a clue who he is. That was really a HUGE HUGE bummer. One girl who was totally into the show (who elbowed me for half the show while she was jerking around dancing) said to the guy next to her..."who the hell is that dude" and the guy shrugged... for shame... FOR SHAME.

I guess that put a damper on the evening for me. I don't know what it was but it clearly wasn't the best version of them that I have seen.

Perhaps tonite it will be different. We might go back. Munly and the Lupercalians are playing the second slot which should be really great. I bet the energy will be better tonite. If we go I will post but who knows.

I am spoiled and don't let it past me that I have been fortunate to be able to go at all... take some pictures and see them... but it just wasn't as "awe"ing as it has been in the past. Perhaps they are saving it all up for tonite... which would make sense.

Here is a video from a show in Belguim... this is what I wished for last night.... maybe from where I was I just missed it... it does make me a little excited about the possibilty of seeing them again tonite. Perhaps that is the magic and power of Slim Cessna, Munly and the guys... they can get the blood pumping just watching videos, wishing that tonight's show will be amazing.

And in case you can't make it to the show tonite... here is the Slim Cessna You Tube Channel...just discovered it.... see there is magic in this world.