W i r e B o y

William Friedkin: Genius

 

Quick thought of the day: Aside from "Exorcist" and "French Connection," film director William Friedkin is a far better director than most moviegoers and critics give him credit for. I think this after re-watching "To Live And Die In L.A." for the umpteenth time. You know I'm right.

Ooh boy, time for the ol' lookback at the concerts I went to in the last year. Not surprisingly, the economic downturn meant less money and fewer shows for me. This year, I saw 27 artists at 14 shows at such varied venues as Slim's, The Great American Music Hall, The Warfield, The Palace of Fine Arts, The Greek Theatre in Berkeley and Saratoga's Mountain Winery. Compare that to 2007: 39 artists, 20 shows.

OK, enough with the higher math. As Casey Kaseem would say: Now, on with the program!

Quick note: I saw Feist for the seventh time in 4 years, and even though I love her to death and she always puts on a great show, she did not break my top 7. Duly noted.

Hepcat at Slim's in San Francisco, Dec. 21. One of my favorite bands ever and by far my fave ska band bounced back from last year's tragic loss of their bassist, David Fuentes. Hepcat (pictured above) reminded the capacity crowd how to put on a smooth and hoppin' show simultaneously. This is like the sixth time I've seen them in 16 (!) years and, man, they still gots it.

I keep a 10-year-old VCR in my bedroom just in case I need to play a VHS tape (Yes, I indeed recently borrowed my friend's VHS copy of "Henry V" so I can enjoy it in all its pre-DVD glory). Can't really say I feel as nostalgic as Harry Knowles though. Still, it feels like an era is passing.

Top 7 gigs I done gone to in 2008

Ooh boy, time for the ol' lookback at the concerts I went to in the last year. Not surprisingly, the economic downturn meant less money and fewer shows for me. This year, I saw 27 artists at 14 shows at such varied venues as Slim's, The Great American Music Hall, The Warfield, The Palace of Fine Arts, The Greek Theatre in Berkeley and Saratoga's Mountain Winery. Compare that to 2007: 39 artists, 20 shows.

OK, enough with the higher math. As Casey Kaseem would say: Now, on with the program!

Quick note: I saw Feist for the seventh time in 4 years, and even though I love her to death and she always puts on a great show, she did not break my top 7. Duly noted.

Hepcat at Slim's in San Francisco, Dec. 21. One of my favorite bands ever and by far my fave ska band bounced back from last year's tragic loss of their bassist, David Fuentes. Hepcat (pictured above) reminded the capacity crowd how to put on a smooth and hoppin' show simultaneously. This is like the sixth time I've seen them in 16 (!) years and, man, they still gots it.

VHS, R.I.P.

I keep a 10-year-old VCR in my bedroom just in case I need to play a VHS tape (Yes, I indeed recently borrowed my friend's VHS copy of "Henry V" so I can enjoy it in all its pre-DVD glory). Can't really say I feel as nostalgic as Harry Knowles though. Still, it feels like an era is passing.