I Heard That You've Been Laying My Old Lady
Yup. It's Rusty Wier, and that was the first song he played. More or less. Not that I'd ever heard of Rusty Wier before tonight, but he's going on the sidebar. Seriously, folks, this is what live music is all about.
As I said, I'd never heard of Rusty Wier, but I was looking to see what bands were playing tonight, and when I checked Antone's website, I saw his name,and it said: "Texas Music Legend, Storyteller and Songwriter to perform live! Tickets available at the door. 18+ welcome." Him being a Texas music legend and all, I had to go. And I'm glad I did.
As far as I can tell, his only song that's made any money is "Don't It Make You Wanna Dance," although it seems that he might have made his money on covers by Bonnie Raitt and others. But nevermind. He did it very well himself. With his band.
Anyway, he played a lot of songs that I'd never heard before, and I enjoyed every minute of it, even though I was there all by myself. A sort of Texas Country, Bluesy, Folksy, Funky, Southern Rocky melange; sometimes more of this, sometimes more of that. Whatever it was, it worked. The man knows how to work an audience.
The only songs he played that I recognized were the Righteous Brothers' "You've Lost that Lovin' Feelin'" and Marshall Tuckers' "Can't You See." "That Lovin' Feelin'" he played straight. Sort of. He said it was the last song played at his high school prom (which was a story all its own), and although he played it straight, there were certain gestures that made the whole thing hilarious. At least to those who were watching. A substantial portion of the crowd was dancing.
After that, he played a few more songs that I'd never heard and ended with "Can't You See." It seems that back in the day, Mr. Wier used to open for the Marshall Tucker Band, and they'd let him play with the band when they closed with "Can't You See." And he played it very well indeed. With a bit of Allman Brothers thrown in the middle. All in all, an excellent show. I'll be sure to see him next time he's in town.
But the thing about Antone's is that the bands typically finish by about 12:30, which is hardly time to go home. So I swung by The Vortex to see who was playing there. They typically have a late crowd, but not tonight. The sign said "Closed for Art Studio Benefit." So I went to the Art Studio. Now, I was aware that the Art Studio had "band night" now and then, but I was under the impression that the bands they had generally sort of sucked. I don't know where I got that impression, never having been to band night before, but it certainly wasn't the case when I actually showed up. The band was Buffalo Blonde, and they didn't suck at all. Not even a little. In fact, during the short time I saw them, they were quite good. They'll be at The Vortex August 13. Check 'em out.
As I said, I'd never heard of Rusty Wier, but I was looking to see what bands were playing tonight, and when I checked Antone's website, I saw his name,and it said: "Texas Music Legend, Storyteller and Songwriter to perform live! Tickets available at the door. 18+ welcome." Him being a Texas music legend and all, I had to go. And I'm glad I did.
As far as I can tell, his only song that's made any money is "Don't It Make You Wanna Dance," although it seems that he might have made his money on covers by Bonnie Raitt and others. But nevermind. He did it very well himself. With his band.
Anyway, he played a lot of songs that I'd never heard before, and I enjoyed every minute of it, even though I was there all by myself. A sort of Texas Country, Bluesy, Folksy, Funky, Southern Rocky melange; sometimes more of this, sometimes more of that. Whatever it was, it worked. The man knows how to work an audience.
The only songs he played that I recognized were the Righteous Brothers' "You've Lost that Lovin' Feelin'" and Marshall Tuckers' "Can't You See." "That Lovin' Feelin'" he played straight. Sort of. He said it was the last song played at his high school prom (which was a story all its own), and although he played it straight, there were certain gestures that made the whole thing hilarious. At least to those who were watching. A substantial portion of the crowd was dancing.
After that, he played a few more songs that I'd never heard and ended with "Can't You See." It seems that back in the day, Mr. Wier used to open for the Marshall Tucker Band, and they'd let him play with the band when they closed with "Can't You See." And he played it very well indeed. With a bit of Allman Brothers thrown in the middle. All in all, an excellent show. I'll be sure to see him next time he's in town.
But the thing about Antone's is that the bands typically finish by about 12:30, which is hardly time to go home. So I swung by The Vortex to see who was playing there. They typically have a late crowd, but not tonight. The sign said "Closed for Art Studio Benefit." So I went to the Art Studio. Now, I was aware that the Art Studio had "band night" now and then, but I was under the impression that the bands they had generally sort of sucked. I don't know where I got that impression, never having been to band night before, but it certainly wasn't the case when I actually showed up. The band was Buffalo Blonde, and they didn't suck at all. Not even a little. In fact, during the short time I saw them, they were quite good. They'll be at The Vortex August 13. Check 'em out.
Labels: Entertainment, Music
posted by Jack at 7/24/2005 02:15:00 AM
3 Comments:
Damn! I stayed home and watched Shaun of the Dead (good movie, by the way). I knew I should have ventured out. Rusty Weir used to be one of my favorites. And, I've always been a little afraid to attend the gigs at the Art Studio. Glad you checked it out. I've seen Buffalo Blonde before and they're very good. I still haven't gone to the Vortex either. So many bars, so many bands, so little time.
I've been a regular reader of Laurie's blog for a while, but this is the first time I've wandered over here. Nice blogs (both this and The Lawyer's Drudge).
What I can't figure out is how you guys have so much more/better music in Beaumont than we have in Atlanta. I'm thinking maybe it's concentrated in a smaller or I just don't get out enough.
Sophmom--
It is inconceivable that we have more music to choose from here than you have in Atlanta. Fer instance, you can catch the Drive By Truckers in or around Atlanta several times a year, but if I want to see them, I have to drive all the way to Austin. You can even go see the real Rolling Stones without having to drive a hundred miles. 'Round these parts, we have do make along drive or "settle" for the tribute band.
Beaumont is a small city of about 100,000 people. Atlanta is about the size of Houston, which means, taking the principle of urban synergism into account, that you should have about a hundred times as many bands to chose from on any given day. I think you're failing to take advantage of the resources that you have available to you.
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