SPECIAL REPORT: HOT DOG HEAVEN!
posted:
A Benefit for the Richard deLone Special Housing Fund (which assists those with Prader-Willi Syndrome)
I had the unique opportunity to see the legendary guitar virtuoso Ry Cooder in a very rare performance last week. Sorry, no photos were allowed. I got within 7 heads from the stage [which is only about three or so feet high]. The Great American Music Hall is a dream venue, as exists only in the imagination elsewhere. Joachim Cooder’s [Ry's son] band opened [featuring Juliette Commagere up front]. Juliette and her sister are the female voices on Ry’s colab with Cuban guitarist Manuel Galvan, Mambo Sinuendo –which also has Keltner and Joachim on percussion. She's glamorous and GLAM, plays the Keytar and sings on lots of Cooder albums besides. She said that she wasn’t nervous, BUT she had just met Steve Earle downstairs [it was as exciting as all hell]! The Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival was opening that very evening in Speedway Meadow [Golden Gate Park] with Robert Plant and Allison Krause so there was considerable buzz [nearly everyone who is or was anyone plays there]. Commagere's group has a heavy 80's synth sound with lilting vocals by the gorgeous Ms. C. and a quartet with cello, brass and violin. Then the deLone family came on to thank everyone for coming out to support their foundation [Prader -Willie syndrome] and that yes, both Ry Cooder and Prader -Willie are RARE! Father Austin deLone played accordion. As they thanked the musicians for lending a hand they were especially thankful to Elvis Costello [who always seems to be around here] and next thing you know there he was onstage, playing guitar and singing from 12 or so feet away, I nearly peed. He did 3 songs from so close it might have been at home. Then another break before the guys took the stage [I stood from 7pm till 12.30!]. The band was superb in every way. Ry and Lowe look ancient though, Keltner must have a coach, he looks youthful and fit. Ry used only 3 axes; a Strat, a Tele and some little electric thing I’ve never seen. [All pushed thru vintage fender amps]. The songs stretched all the way back into his early career with a heavy emphasis on country-ish poppy Rockabilly stuff [How Can a Poor Man Stand Such Times and Live? From his debut album RY COODER updated with lyrics about the previous nights vice presidential DEE-BATE]. Also threw in Fool For a Cigarette from PARADISE AND LUNCH. Imagine The Everly Brothers with Steve Cropper-type-of-thing. Maybe that was for Lowe? BTW He’s great. Quite a showman. Cooder too, he’s a major mugger and overly dramatic like an old bluesman or Grand ol’ Opry country star. A real hot dog! I was surprised. I thought he’d be more serious, less Leon Redbone more Mahavishnu John Mclaughlin. No pick either. When he touched that aspirin bottle to the strings I went to another place. I’m not kidding. You cannot imagine. I aspire to that place, man! Pinky Heaven! After a rousing John Lee Hooker number [This Is Hip! from Mr. Lucky], Elvis joined them for the encore. I was lucky.
Meanwhile, I had gone with my neighbor Mark [he drove] who is a project manager for big architectural projects [SF Jazz, etc.]. He ducked out for air after Elvis played and never came back. He hadn’t eaten. I thought that because he was tall, he didn’t want to push back up front. After the show, I couldn’t find him so I called his mobile number. He was in the hospital! He’d passed out on the sidewalk! Never even saw RY! He’s OK though but it was quite a drama. I think that it’s a plus to have a sidewalk incident at a Ry Cooder concert on a balmy night in San Francisco, at least in my humble estimation [as long as it’s not TOO serious]. I’ve got Mavis Staples tix for next Wednesday. I’m hoping Ry makes a guest appearance there [he produced her most recent record].
