Paul Simon at BAM. Career retrospective. First
The Roches, three sisters who were fun, especially when the piano player stood up to sing and freaked out a little bit dancing. That's how you're supposed to dance, I think. Who doesn't like the song Cecilia? I think next may have been
Grizzly Bear, who impressed me so much that I'm no longer mad at them after the Conan fiasco. Really took the songs and transformed them with the perfect mix of reverence and freshness. Then
Olu Dara. I would have paid the same amount to see him in the same venue, by himself. Slip Slidin' Away indeed. Only two songs (the first two artists got three), but I'll take it. Paul Simon came out somewhere in there. Then next I think was Josh Groban. Everyone knows who that is. Then, unannounced until that day - in a program insert -
Amos Lee. Straigtforward, decent. Then
Gillian Welch, paired as she is often in with
David Rawlings. Fantastic. Then a few more with Paul, and we're done. About 2.5 hours. More! More!
I'm just back from
Lit where I saw three bands. First was
Yoni Gordon and the Goods. Decent. He did some audience prowling for a sing-a-long as a finale, which was charming. Generally OK. Then
Vivian Girls from, where else, Brooklyn. I'm the only person left who actually lives in Manhattan; it's just populated by people that come in from elsewhere. I missed some of their set, unfortunately, but what I heard was very fun. Instrument switching, always a plus (if it's pulled off). High energy, smiling, fairly big crowd rocking out. So big it was hard to get a decent picture. I enjoyed their set the most, even though I went to hear the next band,
Famous Amos, who sound pretty darn good at that link. But live, didn't quite get there. And what happened to all the people? Vivian Girls brought the posse, it seems.
Anyway, off to music heaven for a few days tomorrow. I'll be back to earth with a report.
Some pics.

Above Yoni et al. Below, Famous A with Vivian Girl watching.