Posted by Joanie (206.126.233.96) on :
In Reply to: Aurora Borealis posted by Bob Shaffer on :
: C'est moi, encore! I was fortunate enough to witness a magnificent display of the fabled "Colorado-by-way-of-Nawlins Lights", a phenomenal display of electrical (and acoustical) energy that unfolded over the newly-christened Fletcher Plaza in Aurora, Colorado on June 12, 2004. A multitude (well, a medium-sized - but enthusiastic - multitude, anyway) of satellites gravitated to the Constellation S. Dude, a unique "quintary" (I highly doubt that this is a real word, but I don't know the five-member version of binary) grouping of truly stellar bodies (sorry, guys, but that is an astronomical reference, no offense to the shape y'all are in - God, what would I do without parentheses?)that lit up the vicinity with their customary musical and visual exuberance. As I have heretofore documented, I had the pleasure of initially witnessing the Subdudes in San Francisco on April 22. I have since become a Sub-zealot, educating the uninitiated in the wonders of all things 'dude, and spreading the Sub-gospel with the intent of converting as many Sub-heads into the Sub-culture as humanly possible (A Sub-lime endeavor if ever there was one!)
Well, as serendipity would have it, my wife and I were in Colorado for a family reunion and our schedule had us flying out of Denver Airport on Sunday, April 13. I had, oh, just-kind-of-coincidentally noticed that the 'dudes were going to be in Aurora on the 12th (like I don't check the tour dates at least once a week to see if the Sub-light might shine on my poor, dank, gloomy S.F. Bay Area some time again this annum) and I asked my wife, in a rather dignified fashion (read "begged, pleaded and otherwise wheedled"), if she would be kind enough to accompany me to the show. I don't mean to imply that she was resistant to the concept, it's just that she had not yet experienced the joy and I have a tendency to be a tad overly enthusiastic and repetitive (I know, shock and dismay, but it's twue! Just ask her, she'll tell anyone) and she was getting just a bit tired of the onslaught. Thankfully, she graciously conceded, and in a further fortuitous development, her brother and his wife drove up from Colorado Springs to attend as well. I don't mean to assume that anyone has any interest in our family's comings-and-goings, but I bring this up to illustrate a point on which I mean to expound further - if they come, they will become! (fans, that is...set a spell...take your shoes off). The in-laws had no idea what this "Subdude" thing was all about, drove up mainly to have dinner with us before we left town and only agreed to "stop by" the event (mainly as a courtesy to my wife and I, I think), with the caveat that they could bugger out if things were not to their liking. Well, in what I believe should be a totally predictable turn-of-events, not only did they stay for the whole show, they bought Miracle Mule and waxed poetic on the fabulousity of the experience!
And a fabulous show it was! The San Francisco Treat was definitely no fluke! These guys are just such a pleasure to watch! I love the albums, five of which I purchased in short order after the first show, but the live experience is the essence of the 'dude thing (P.S. "Lucky" is available "brand new and wrapped" from a distributor through Amazon - I anticipate its arrival with great...anticipation. Also, if you don't have Tommy's "Soul Heavy", to which I am listening as I type, you cannot consider your education or collection to be complete. Yesirree-myself, I'm even going for the "Three Twins" disc!). Besides the virtuousity of the musicianship, these fellows understand how to work the stage and the song. Not enough bands understand the effect of volume-level dynamics, but very few get the added value of instrument dynamics, i.e. adding or dropping out instruments to further the dramatic impact of the presentation. Specifically, their performance of "Sarita" comes to mind. There was a point toward the end of the song that the few members still playing were at a whisper, as well as John on the vocal, before the groundswell into the climactic ending. They accomplished a similar feat with "Known to Touch Me" in San Francisco, starting with Tommy's unplugged acoustic & solo vocal and culminating with Jimmy's entry with the bass in the bridge and full four-part harmonies (I suspect that's Tim on the "basso-profundo", but I can't really tell yet). And never let it be said again that Tommy doesn't have "moves"! I never said it, but someone close to home must have, as he made a point of both verbally and physically responding to the challenge. You go, 'dude! Stage-presence-wise, there are just too many artists who "go through the motions", but I cannot imagine that EVER being the case with these guys - they are just obiously having too damn much fun doing what they do. As many of the tunes are upbeat, the general atmosphere is "playful", but on songs like "The Rain", "Known to Touch Me", and "Carved In Stone", the band shifts its mood to the wistful and pensive with an ingenuous ease that I have seen from few and that cannot be faked in any convincing fashion. "Carved in Stone" was particularly poignant as it was not on the set list and was added as a tribute to the late, great Ray Charles. As we had been incommunicado in the mountains for the previous few days, their rendition of "I Believe" and the following "Carved In Stone" was the first I had heard of the Great One's demise, and is a moment I will always remember for its bitter-sweet beauty.
Anywho, to get back to "preaching to the choir", EVERYONE I turn on to the Subdudes becomes a convert! It is up to we, the faithful, to get the word (and the lead) out and bring as many into the fold as possible. I do occasionally question the fervor with which I have responded to this band. As a 47 year old adult with a reasonable sense of perspective and zero inclination toward hero worship, it is definitely an unusual experience. But, upon reflection, what I realize is that the band has struck a chord (or a number of chords major, minor and augmented, but never diminished) with me and I am truly touched by what they are about. My sense of perspective actually adds to the sensation as I just do not ever expect to find ANYTHING new under the sun that I can really get into and fear that I am doomed to eternally re-cycle the 600-plus CD's in my collection ad-nauseum and ad-nausea (don't get me wrong, most are outstanding efforts by artists I will always revere and adore, but anything can get old after a few thousand spins and sometimes you just want something NEW and DIFFERENT!).
In closing, I would also like to mention that, as well as being a wonderous musical phenomenon, the band is made up of as gracious, friendly and unassuming a group of individuals as you could hope to meet. Kids, if you wonder if the band ever checks out your ruminations, questions, etc. in the Forum, the answer is Yes, Indeed! We drove through Aurora in the afternoon to check out the venue's location and happened to catch the band in set-up/sound-check mode. On impulse, I asked my wife to stop the car, walked right up to the stage, and introduced myself to John (with the not-exactly-pretence of inquiring about local lodging, as well as a definite Intent to Compliment). When I identified myself as the author of "that windy love letter" after the S.F. show, I was surprised and highly gratified to receive the response, "Oh, YOU'RE Bob Shaffer! I thought you were from San Francisco!" and he went on to thank ME for the complimentary nature of my missive. I got to meet Tommy, as well, who was similarly gracious to this wordy schmuck of whom they had no prior knowledge. I had the extreme pleasure of watching the entire show from the edge of the stage, directly between John and Tommy, (or most of it, anyway - I went back to check on the wife and in-laws occasionally, and to apoligize for abandoning them, but how the heck often do you get to see one of your favorite artists while leaning on the stage?! Luckily, they were understanding and not offended). I was fortunate enough to be in the midst of what were obviously some very long-time friends and family of the band, including a delightful blonde woman who dropped numerous pearls of Sub-wisdom into my unfortunately semi-deaf ears (a combination of years of playing loud music and my proximity to Tommy's searing guitar solos) and, if she/you should happen across this, I would like to thank you again for you patience with my "old Rover just got invited for walkees" enthusiasm and semi-incessant babbling. After the show, the band hung around greeting friends, family and strange-folk (present company included), at which point I also got to meet Steve, and Tommy again, and damn! wouldn't you just love to have a couple o' beers with them fellas! I am sorry I did not get to meet Tim or Jimmy, and I think John had left, but I want to thank all for a magnificent evening, the true cherry-and-whipped cream on top of one of the best weeks of my life (damn a non-Sub-reality that sucks me back to the Mundane!). I will always be one of your biggest fans and I can't thank you enough for getting back together and giving me the opportunity to experience your music, performances, generosity and hospitability!
Welcome aboard Bob,
It was Chicago 1996 for me, like you I did'nt think there were any more surprizes for me musically. Then the subdudes voodoo worked its magic on me and I've been addicted ever since.
Check out Tiny Town too, its Tommy, Johnny Ray, Pat Mclaughlin, and Kenny Blevins. Kenny is the drummer for Sonny Landreth and John Hiatt, Pat McLaughlin is a wonderful singer, song writer, and guitar player too and has cd's out.
Its wonderful to read your posts.
Joanie in Chicago