Josh Rouse + Grant Lee-Phillips @ The Cedar Cultural Center 10/20/18

I saw Josh Rouse again on Saturday night with Grant Lee-Philips (of Grant Lee Buffalo).

Grant played 1st, and it was just him and his acoustic guitar. Very singer/songwriter and folky of course. I probably know or would know him best from his appearances as the roaming Troubadour in Stars Hollow in Gilmore Girls.

And I do slightly recall a video from Grant Lee Buffalo on Beavis and Butt-Head in the 90's.

I enjoyed his stuff, namely the tunes he did extending his vocals, by wailing a bit. "San Andreas Fault" probably being the biggest highlight.

So Josh Rouse, whose last show(s) my wife and I saw back in May at The Dakota, were awesome with his incredibly tight band. But Saturday night it was only Josh and his electric guitar. He even donned a suit, looking almost like Kyle MacLachlan from Twin Peaks in some ways, especially without his signature hat on.

But Josh was really great, both from a performance and set list standpoint especially. I mean certainly many of the tunes were stripped down, or re-arranged a bit. But they still worked.

Winter in the Hamptons being a tune I have been enjoying more and more lately, may have been the biggest highlight for me.

And the encore duet with Grant doing The Church cover Under the Milky Way, really was great. Especially per The Church were just at The Turf Club last Monday and I missed them unfortunately.

Anyway, the set lists below ARE NOT 100% ACCURATE as they are guessed and taken largely from some other recent shows per setlist.fm

I was thankfully able to chat with both Grant and Josh after the show. I even got to ask Josh about Pete Finney who has recently been playing Pedal-Steel guitar with Michael Nesmith and the National Band. But Pete played on Josh's album Subtitulo in fact. I asked Josh if he ever wanted to work with Pete again, or maybe have him out with his band live, etc. And he mentioned how Pete may be pretty busy (besides with Nez) and actually how there are tons of guys IN NASHVILLE who people hire like him. Not that Pete is bad, as he remembered his playing being great, but that given Josh lives in Nashville, there are a lot of highly talented Pedal-Steel players there.

One he mentioned to me was named Fats Kaplin in fact.

But the other thing I mentioned given he lives in Nashville now (moved back a year ago, after living in Spain for like a decade), is Matt Mahaffey aka sElf. He I guess knows Matt, and I just asked if he ever might want to work with Matt. Maybe have him produce something, and Josh mentioned he might be interested.

My jaw might drop through the floor if that happened.

Anyway, great show, my 4th Josh Rouse, and 8th for my wife. And it was cool being the final night of this tour.

Josh Rouse Set List (not 100%)
Come Back (Light Therapy)
Businessman
It's the Nighttime
1972
Love In The Modern Age
Dressed Up Like Nebraska
Middle School Frown
Salton Sea
Julie Come out of the Rain
Winter in the Hamptons
Saturday
It's Good to Have You
Love Vibration

Encore:
Under the Milky Way (The Church cover) (with Grant‐Lee Phillips)
Empire State (with Grant‐Lee Phillips)



Grant Lee-Phillips Set List (guessed per taken from another show on setlist.fm)
The Wilderness
Something's Gotta Give
Far End of the Night
Smoke and Sparks
Mighty Joe Moon (Grant Lee Buffalo song)
Honey Don't Think (Grant Lee Buffalo song)
Mockingbirds (Grant Lee Buffalo song)
San Andreas Fault
Buried Treasure
See America
Lily-a-Passion
Walk in Circles
It Ain't the Same Old Cold War Harry

Meaningful Songs: Josh Rouse - Winter in The Hamptons

Josh Rouse - Winter in the Hamptons

I saw Josh Rouse again last night at The Cedar Cultural Center in Minneapolis. The 4th time now I've seen him since around 2013 I recall.

Josh Rouse is a huge favorite of my wife's but I have to admit, the guy has some great tunes, and while I doubt this is my #1 or at least most known/listened to track of his (Comeback (Light Therapy) that probably goes to), I recently came to find this to be quite a mesmerizing, romantic number.

Even just for the "bah bah bah-bah bahhh" chants alone, I have been won over by it.

It's both catchy and sublime in some ways.

I suppose "The Hamptons" being those places in New York (near Long Island?) that admittedly, wealthy people live or go to for Rest and Relalaxtion I think of maybe in a romantic way. Kind of an escape.

Also for the fact the TV Show Royal Pains was set there, so I kind of think of that show and also the now past last decade time frame, etc Both from a time not too long ago, but sometimes I wish I could go back to. The ole' wish I had known Josh Rouse's music when Nashville came out in 2005, seen him live back then (and as many times my wife has, 8), etc as I would have even more nostalgia for it and this song.

But never too late..

Now Playing/In the Cue: 8/25 ? - (Early?) Sept 2018

This is a long/long-winded random mess of stuff in my playlist, or hopefully coming to my playlist.

I have listened to some of these recently, some in the past, and many only parts of or not at all.

Some good shit in here, and some stuff I may not be revisiting for awhile..if again.

But also a lot of it is still "in the cue"

Per time, I'll try and follow-up with twitter-size comments on as many of these as I can (in here/bumped or maybe another new entry)

King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard - Polygonwanaland
Gospel - Tango
Jellyfish - Watching the Rain
Late of the Pier - Blueberry, Best in the Class
I Mother Earth -  Blossom, The Devil's Engine, We Got the Love
Josh King - Into the Blue
Josh Rouse - Subtitulo
Josh Rouse - Nashville
Josh Rouse - 1972
Fountains of Wayne - Fountains of Wayne
Fountains of Wayne - Utopia Parkway
Fountains of Wayne - Welcome Interstate Managers
Dream Theater - Cleaning out the Closet
Crack the Sky - Crack the Sky
10cc - Sheet Music
10cc - The Original Soundtrack
The Bee Gees - Bee Gees 1st
Budgie - In for the Kill
Budgie - Never Turn Your Back on a Friend
Chicago - Chicago Transit Authority
Depeche Mode - Violator
A Dying Planet - Facing the Incurable
Mals Totem - - Mals Totem
The Grays - Ro Sham Bo
Tears For Fears - Everybody Loves a Happy Ending
Tears For Fears - Raoul
Tears For Fears - Elemental
XTC - Nonsuch
XTC - Oranges and Lemons
Bill Hubauer - We Came from Space
Chris Cornell - Euphoria Mourning

Muse - The Dark Side
Majestyy - Magnetisme Animal (soundcloud)
Pentangle - Basket of Light
Sufjan Stevens - The Age of Adz
Jeff Buckley - Mystery White Boy
Pentangle - Basket of Light
Wilco - Sky Blue Sky
Phideaux - Infernal
White Denim - Performance
King's X - Manic Moonlight
My Chemical Romance - Welcom to the Black Parade
Panic at the Disco - Pretty.Odd
The Grateful Dead - Anthem of the Sun
Motorpsycho and Stale Storl0kken - The Death Defying Unicorn
Sky Architect - Nomad
ABC - The Lexicon of Love Vol. 1 and 2
Barock Project - Detachment

Josh Rouse @ The Dakota Jazz Club 5/19/18

So the wife and I and a friend saw Josh Rouse on Saturday Night.

I have said what I have about The Dakota in the recent past (and further back, which I considered it the best live music venue at 1 time, in Bandana Square in St.Paul).

But I do like their policy with 2 shows, when the 2nd isn't sold out, people from the 1st can see the 2nd for free (more drinks?).

Below is the set list for the 1st show at 7PM:

Businessman
Love In The Modern Age
It's the Nightime
1972
Salton Sea
It Looks Like Love
Ordinary People, Ordinary Lives
Comeback (Light Therapy)
Flight Attendant
Women The Wind
Dressed Up Like Nebraska
Simple Pleasure
My Love Has Gone
Winter in the Hamptons
I Will Live On Islands
(solo)
Sad Eyes
(starts solo and then band rejoins)

Encore:
Love Vibration

The 2nd set was not identical and included Michigan (with some help from our table and some others shouting it out), and few other different songs. But overall was  pretty similar.

The thing about this show, compared to the 2 other times I saw Josh Rouse, was HIS BAND was basically on fire! Throughout most of the 1st set, and much of the 2nd set as well. Even having the crowd stand up for the encore, which I've never seen any crowd stand up at The Dakota from memory, and dance.

His bassist was the same, James "Hags" Haggerty from at least the last show I and the wife saw him at The Fine Line. But his guitarist and drummer? I'm not sure.

Both of them and all 4 were really hitting on all cylinders and in great spirits. Songs like "Salton Sea" "Winter in the Hamptons" 'Dressed Up Like Nebraska" and an obvious staple and live favorite "Comeback (Light Therapy)" were among the many highlights.

My wife's friend has said that Josh Rouse's live music outshines his studio work, which after Saturday night, I can totally see. Although after the show I ended up revisiting some of the older tunes from Nashville and 1972 namely, and must say there's a reason I got into those records and bought them on vinyl. The layering and mood totally works on them.

I may try and revisiting and listening to more of his earlier records again, that my wife of course knows rather well. Some I have on CD, some I do not.

But I guess my thought is to not miss Josh Rouse live if possible, other than when he opens for Nick Lowe I suppose. This was the 8th time (or 9th and 10th shows?) seeing him, and I can see why, per when his band is on, they are really good live. A bit like the First National Band show we saw in January. Nesmith's band was on fire, thus he and the music was awesome. Josh Rouse was the same way on Saturday.

Also "Salton Sea" while greater live, has become 1 of my favorite Josh Rouse tunes and 1 of the best songs from 2018.

Josh Rouse - The Embers of Time (2014-2015)

1/14/15 5:49PM
Release date April 7th, 2015
http://www.joshrouse.com/ preorder link there.



1 Some Days I'm Golden All Night 3:20
2 Too Many Things On My Mind 2:50
3 New Young 3:30
4 You Walked Through the Door 3:23
5 Time 3:13
6 Pheasant Feather (feat. Jessie Baylin) 3:20
7 Coat for a Pillow 3:27
8 Jr Worried Blues 3:06
9 Ex-pat Blues 3:03
10 Crystal Falls 4:30

New song is okay. Some of the stuff online about it says it harkens back to the Nashville style, which if it is, I and my Josh Rouse fangirl gf, will be happy. The Happiness Waltz was good, and probably better than his previous record, but at the same time, I haven't longed to listen to it recently. But maybe The Embers of Time will be more so.





from Josh's site


Pre-order the New Album,
The Embers of Time, Now at iTunes
“It’s my surreal expat therapy record,” observes Josh Rouse about his new LP, The Embers Of Time out April 7 via Yep Roc Records.  The album takes inspiration from his self-admitted crisis of confidence and bouts with existential psychotherapy in his adopted home of Valencia, Spain. 

The 10-song collection of originals contains some of Rouse’s most beautiful arrangements and complex songwriting to date. First song and lead single “Some Days I’m Golden All Night” channels Glen Campbell-style Countrypolitan pop mastery through Self Portrait-era Dylan confessional lyrics.

Alpha Rev - Bloom (2013)

3/11/13 2:05PM

New video for the song "Sing Loud"

Get More: Alpha Rev, Sing Loud, Music, More Music Videos

2/8/13 6:24PM

1 Lexington

2 Crystal Colorado

3 Sing Loud

4 Lonely Man

5 Black Sky

6 Highways

7 Eden Home

8 I Will Come

9 When You Gonna Run

10 You Belong

Casey McPherson's main group when he's not doing Flying Colors. I got into them last year, at times, they reminded me of among others, Josh Rouse. Ironically, this album is coming out the same date, March 19th, as the new Josh Rouse LP.

I'd be up for seeing them live on this tour, but....the girlfriend's bday is Saturday the 4th and I'm already seeing Steven Wilson that night. It's unbelievable how every god damn show has to fall between late March and early May, lol. Impressive they are playing The Varsity. If I don't make it, hopefully they will do another tour this year. I suppose how good this new album is may dictate how important it is for me to see them live. I do like a lot of their other album New Morning, but I hardly LOVE it do death or anything.


02/22/13 San Francisco, CA Sunset Sessions @ Grand Hyatt
03/20/13 Waco, TX   Common Grounds w/ Ben Rector
03/21/13 Bryan, TX   Grand Stafford Theater w/ Ben Rector
03/22/13 Austin, TX   The Belmont w/ Ben Rector
03/23/13 Dallas, TX   House of Blues w/ Ben Rector
03/24/13 Charleston, SC   Spring Jam Music Fest
03/26/13 Lawrence, KS   The Granada Theater w/ Ben Rector
03/27/13 Fayetteville, AR  George’s Majestic Lounge w/ Ben Rector
03/29/13 Norman, OK   Meacham Auditorium @ University of Oklahoma w/ Ben Rector
04/03/13 Oxford, MS   The Lyric w/ Ben Rector
04/04/13 Auburn, AL   Bourbon Street Bar w/ Ben Rector
04/06/13 Charlotte, NC   Amos’ Southend w/ Ben Rector
04/11/13 Birmingham, AL   WorkPlay w/ Ben Rector
04/12/13 Nashville, TN   Cannery Ballroom w/ Ben Rector
04/17/13 Knoxville, TN   Bijou Theatre w/ Ben Rector
04/18/13 Greenville, SC   The Handlebar w/ Ben Rector
04/19/13 Atlanta, GA   Center Stage w/ Ben Rector
04/20/13 Raleigh, NC   Lincoln Theatre w/ Ben Rector
04/23/13 Charlottesville, VA The Jefferson Theater w/ Ben Rector
04/24/13 Washington, DC   9:30 Club w/ Ben Rector
04/25/13 New York, NY   The Bowery Ballroom w/ Ben Rector
04/26/13 Cambridge, MA   The Sinclair w/ Ben Rector
04/29/13 Toronto, Canada   Virgin Mobile Mod Club Theatre w/ Ben Rector
05/01/13 Grand Rapids, MI  The Intersection w/ Ben Rector
05/02/13 Madison, WI   The Majestic Theatre w/ Ben Rector
05/03/13 Minneapolis, MN   Varsity Theater w/ Ben Rector
05/04/13 Chicago, IL   Park West w/ Ben Rector
05/07/13 Denver, CO   The Bluebird Theater w/ Ben Rector
05/09/13 Tulsa, OK   Cain’s Ballroom w/ Ben Rector
05/10/13 St. Louis, MO   Old Rock House w/ Ben Rector
05/11/13 Columbia, MO   The Blue Note w/ Ben Rector

Josh Rouse Spring Tour Dates

Given I've never seen him live, I am looking forward to this show, even though I don't care much for The Dakota anymore. I'm sure the girlfriend and her Josh fandom will be excited about this, although maybe more depending on how good his new record, The Happiness Waltz, is.

The dates below I don't believe are the full tour, as Josh mentioned in his facebook announcement.

http://www.joshrouse.com/shows/

http://www.facebook.com/joshrouse/posts/299316750194186
We've just announced our first wave of US tour dates. These will be with a full band (myself, Cayo, Xema and returning to the drum seat, Marc Pisapia). See dates below. Most of these US shows go on sale tomorrow (Thurs. 2/14) at 10:00 AM (local time). 

**Note that European dates will be in May, with a full list to come soon**

Hope to see you on the road this spring!

THU 7 MARCH La 3 Valencia, Spain
FRI 8 MARCH Music Hall Barcelona, Spain
SAT 9 MARCH Moby Dick Madrid, Spain

THU 18 APRIL WorkPlay Theatre Birmingham, AL, US
FRI 19 APRIL Terminal West at King Plow Arts Center Atlanta, GA, US
SUN 21 APRIL 3rd & Lindsley Bar and Grill Nashville, TN, US
TUE 23 APRIL The Grey Eagle Asheville, NC, US
WED 24 APRIL Birchmere Alexandria, VA, US
THU 25 APRIL The Sinclair Cambridge, MA, US
FRI 26 APRIL World Café Live Philadelphia, PA, US
SAT 27 APRIL The Bowery Ballroom New York, NY, US
TUE 30 APRIL The Bell House Brooklyn, NY, US

FRI 24 MAY Pleasance Theatre Edinburgh, UK

WED 12 JUNE Bomhard Theater, Kentucky Center Louisville, KY, US
THU 13 JUNE City Winery Chicago, IL, US
FRI 14 JUNE City Winery Chicago, IL, US
SAT 15 JUNE Dakota Minneapolis, MN, US
TUE 18 JUNE The Triple Door Seattle, WA, US
WED 19 JUNE Doug Fir Lounge Portland, OR, US
FRI 21 JUNE Great American Music Hall San Francisco, CA, US
SAT 22 JUNE Troubadour West Hollywood, CA, US

Josh Rouse - The Happiness Waltz (2013) (Pledgemusic)

http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/joshrouse/

Well, another one of these campaigns of course, but certainly for a worthy artist like Josh Rouse, whose another one of my girlfriends favorites, but I caught onto. I like a handful of his tunes, and the Nashville record especially.

It says it's coming in March (19th according to the story below), so add it to the growing list of early 2013 records. He's as 13% right now, hopefully that number will go up soon. The campaign has 60 days left, although as evidenced with Revere's, campaigns can get extended.

http://www.yeproc.com/josh-rouse-returns-with-new-album-the-happiness-waltz-set-for-march-release

Josh Rouse returns with new album THE HAPPINESS WALTZ set for March release.

.........................................................

Acclaimed singer/songwriter Josh Rouse will release his new album, The Happiness Waltz, on March 19 of next year.  Sonically, The Happiness Waltz takes a trip back into Rouse’s early-2000’s period, a time when so many of his longtime fans really came on board. A number of the new tracks could easily find a home on the AM radio of the late 1970’s, nestled between some of the biggest songs of the day. Lyrically, The Happiness Waltz is very much an album in the present, featuring some of Rouse’s most personal songs to date. Rouse reunites with producer Brad Jones, who produced and engineered two of his most beloved albums, 1972 (2003) and Nashville (2005).  The Happiness Waltz was recorded in Valencia, Spain at Josh’s studio Rio Bravo; with overdubs and mixing completed at Alex The Great in Nashville, TN.

After nine acclaimed studio albums, residing all over the U.S. and touring the world, Rouse found his muse for The Happiness Waltz in what is most near and dear to him, his new family. In 2005, the Nebraska native moved to Spain, where he now spends the majority of his time with his wife and two young children. The thoughts and perspective gained from his experience as a husband and father pervades the 12 songs that make up The Happiness Waltz.

The Happiness Waltz is filled with Rouse’s thoughtful, delicate and infectious pop craft, a sound that has become his signature. The subtle grooves of “It’s Good To Have You” and “Julie (Come Out Of The Rain)” blend seamlessly with the poignant “The Ocean” and “Our Love” and the jovial “A Lot Like Magic” and “City People and City Things”. The common thread running throughout The Happiness Waltz is derived from a newfound wisdom that can only be the result of life-changing transitions. For Rouse, it is his loved ones who have provided the inspiration.

In a time when music careers come and go faster than ever, there is something to be said for an artist who has maintained a level of consistent quality output, building a solid body of work that spans over 15 years. The Happiness Waltz is a sure sign that Josh Rouse will not be ending that streak anytime soon.

Michael Nesmith - Wax Minute

 This song is awesome. I was just reminded by that fact in chatting on facebook with some friends.

I really haven't added much about Mike or The Monkees in here, like I should have. Especially the Davy Jones passing. Why? the ole time, procrastination, and too many other items to post about as well.

My girlfriend worships Mike and The Monkees, among others like Mayer Hawthorne, Josh Rouse, George Michael, Michael Jackson, Hall and Oates to name just a few.

But maybe it's Mike, among all her favorite music, I am most intrigued by. The guy has made some amazing music, with The Monkees and on his own. And I have listened to some of it, but not as much as I'd like.

If/when the time happens, I will try and include a lot more about both him and The Monkees. In the mean time, I will say Michael Nesmith, despite my gf's take, was doing progressive music of a sort. Sort of alternative country of a sort, with psychedelic elements thrown in. Pedal-steel and/or slide-guitar featured at times.

Also some of his music has this driving funk/groove to it. Like the track "Capsule" for example off his 1979 record Infinite Rider on the Big Dogma.

The thing to watch for is, within the last month, Mike is for some reason posting a ton on facebook. Why? perhaps due to his eyesight returning after Cataract surgery. Also maybe due to his realizing time is catching up with him and others with Davy's passing. He is opening for Lambchop on May 4th (ironically my gf's birthday) in San Francisco, along with some other tour dates soon. Plus an album is in the works.