SQUEEZE: The Current Line-up
Just thoughts.... no song-by-song deconstruction: that stuff's for college students, and I've already been there, done that, wore out the t-shirt.
SO, go, if you can: one of the best shows of the year.
(And, if you're already going, or going again, then you know that's what I'm talking about.)
You saw them back in the day, with Jools, then later with Carrack?
Good for you.
Congratulations.
Now, go again.
They're playing better than ever, and their voices literally music to the ears. And to think -- this was about their 4th (if not 5th) show in as many nights.
Sure, it's their amazing catalogue, but Difford & Tilbrook are amazing musicians, songwriters, and contrasting, literal extremes in onstage charisma.
It was not the songs that were sentimental, but rather, the (understandably) over 40 & 50 set that was the predominant fan age in the crowd.
But don't let that stop you from seeing, hearing, and feeling some of the greatest songs of that generation in -- and movement of -- music.
And, If not for their on and off the map again history, they'd be as hailed today as Elvis Costello, and, in fact, their best material stands alongside his best (along with Graham Parker's, too.)
People talk about Keith Richards & Mick Taylor and other notable guitar duos -- and rightfully so -- but not unlike Lennon & Harrison, Difford & Tilbrook are grossly underrated in this regard: theirs being a most sophisticated and inventive, yet bare bones guitar interplay that gets lost in all of their amazing tunes and harmonies.
Masters of lyrical stream of consciousness, melody, witty, ascerbic, charming, and ultimately seductive, they are wordsmiths and tunesmiths that deserve to be heard again and again, both as a touchstone as well as forever relevant: and not, instead, to be lost to ivory tower critics wet dreams of delusional 1960s glory, hipster trends and corporatization of radio.
What voices, what melodies, what harmonies, what musicality and stage presence, is all I can say (It's also great to see artists in their 50s not relying on teleprompters.)
It was like a dream English Rock 'n Roll Tea party, minus the ladies that lunch.
And, remember, when you're at a tea service, you start with the top tier, first, then work your way to the bottom.
There's no argybargy over that protocol.
Kelly Clarkson may have had a solid (but slightly disappointing) chart debut, but Ryan Adams has plenty to celebrate: His 758th album (okay, his ninth studio effort) Easy Tiger debuted at number seven, selling 61,038 copies. This marks the scruffy rocker’s highest chart debut of his career, besting Cold Roses, which hit the chart at number 26. Just last week the White Stripes earned the same distinction; this week Jack and Meg stayed near the top of the chart (at number four) plus albums by Amy Winehouse and Paul McCartney also made the top ten. So was it Adams’ new career as a homemade rap star or his penchant for taking the stage in a shower cap that boosted his profile? 
