MOG

it was Sunday, November 11th and I was tired, not really looking forward to the evening ahead. You know the feeling, after a busy week & weekend, a late night spent out could be viewed as a chore. Sometimes you have to G yourself up, make yourself go out. Sometimes you put on your "getting ready music" (insert Big Audio Dynamite "Rush" here) to get the mood going before you head out the door.

As Stan, my son, and I left to drive into the city, our mood improved. We found our natural rhythm as we passed over the Bay Bridge, and moved thru traffic, all while talking about our family, friends, events, music and the concert that lay ahead of us. We found the energy we were missing at the start as we searched for the venue, a parking place and Maren, Stan's Aunt, and the last third of our party...

On the menu for the evening, Emma Pollock at The Rickshaw Stop. Opening for her was The Harbours and The Old-Fashioned Way. The Harbours are a local SF band. Stan really enjoyed this band, as he was digging the drums. I liked them more then Maren, who was more adept at spotting the hooks and riffs from other bands music. She studied music and composition and knows her stuff, I , however, am a simple consumer. Their sound was tight and together, I would listen to more.

The Old-Fashioned Way (OFW) was a little much for me, it was an uber band with a cast of 7 on the tiny stage. There were more instruments than I could count, and they seemed to be used in every song. I have long been a fan of early They Might Be Giants (even met the Johns once), with their quirky lyrics, but OFW 's lyrics felt forced and contrived to be quirky for the sake of. And that, combined with the lead vocal singer deep rich baritone, reminded me of The Billy Nayer Show. Not much a fan of them either. I did enjoy the musicallity of OFW , but on the whole, sometimes more is less.

Emma Pollock entered without much ado. Dressed simply in a printed dress, seemingly humble to be performing in SF, she communicated briefly before opening her set. She played every song off of her album, and beautifully might I add. She seemed to struggle with the mixing from the sound board (reverb in the monitor, not enough vocal, acoustic left on, etc), but she handled herself so professionally and politely. At one time she was left alone on the stage to perform A Glorious Day, just her and her acoustic guitar. What a perfect way to accentuate her sublime voice, so soft and subtle. One of my favorites of the evening was Limbs.

Of course Adrenaline, Acid Test, New Land and If Silence Means That Much To You were exciting and perfect, but that goes without saying. To quote Maren "I could listen to her voice all night." I agree.

The venue was small, intimate and hardly crowded at all. We had a killer view from the loft while sitting on a comfy couch. I even bumped into a fellow mogger ZenPop (AKA John) who has been talking up his fascination about the Delgados. I knew he would be there. We had made no arrangementst to meet, I don't even think he knew I was going to be there. As I was sitting on the comfy couch, a guy sat down and started talking to the couple next to us. I didn't pay him any mind, but I heard snipets of their conversation. After he walked away, I asked the couple if his name was John, and if he was an artist. It was him...what a coincidence. I followed him down to the bar and offered to buy him a beer. He was surprised and asked me why. I said "because I am annieander, that's why". We had hugs, smiles and brief conversation before the concert started. What a nice connection with a fellow mogger, completely unplanned and completely spontaneous. Neat.

I have to say thanks to Dale at this point. It was he that tuned me into Emma Pollock. If I haven't said this already Dale then Thanks, you EMCD you.