Good Times. Good Times.

Those of you who REALLY know me, know that I have about the most eclectic taste in music one could possibly have.  My 60 gig iPod is completely full and it doesn't even have all of my music on it!  I have about every genre imaginable.  I listen to whatever mood I'm in or want to be taken out of.  So, the Ben Folds concert I went to last night, to some, might be classified my most as "a show" and not a concert.  Vernacular.  Who cares.  It was awesome as always.  When we got there and found that the venue was so tiny, I was immediately happy happy happy.  When I saw that the only equipment on stage was Ben's piano, I was jumping up and down.  I LOVE the shows he does best when it's just him and his music alone on stage.

Now, it's always interesting to see what artist Ben has helped get their foot in the door and last night was no exception.  Last time it was Missy Higgins.  This time was another young lady from Australia named Kate Miller-Heidke.  She came out with a man with an acoustic guitar.  She was so tiny.  The first few songs, as I was trying to decide if I liked her style, were slow and somewhat sad.  Reflective.  Good, but eh.  Then, in the middle of I think the 3rd one, she broke out this aria in an operatic voice that I could not BELIEVE came out of that small body.  It seriously caught me off guard.  I looked at Sara and said, "What the fuck was THAT???"  We were both just like, "wow."  Uncertain of whether that was even appropriate for her to do in that song.  Then, she did it again.  And some more.  And I gotta tell you, it grew on me.  So much so, that I found myself wishing she'd just do opera non-stop and I've never been a big fan.  But, it was amazing.  It was moving.  It was paralyzing.  Music in all forms that touch my soul leave me feeling so grateful to BE.  Thank you Kate.  The song "Are You Fucking Kidding Me?" has made me laugh several times today.  I'm a bit sad that after buying her album and listening to it, it is nothing like the live performance she gave, but  I will follow her for a few years and see if the recordings are worthy of the voice she showed in person.  I truly hope so.

Now, Ben.  Well, brilliant.  As always.  His story telling ability is so beautiful.  These stories of people I feel I've grown to know over the years, Zak and Sara, Song for the dumped, Kate, Belinda, Emmaline, Mr. Jones, the poor dumbass on acid in a tree...  I'm glad I got to visit with them again last night.  :)  I'm friggin' tired as hell today and feel I may be getting too old to be out that late on a week night, but it was totally worth it.  And seeing Maddie have so much fun was really REALLY cool.  Sara is a lucky mom.  She's got a great kid.  Even though Maddie was a bit disappointed that he didn't perform Rockin' the Suburbs, since she was going to be allowed to scream the F word along with everyone else.  The negotiations process was the cutest, with mom "giving her permission to make her own decision without getting into trouble".  Not QUITE a yes, but a damn good way to make it the kid's responsibility.  Awesome Sweetness.

Who's coming to town next....?