I have seen Van Morrison on several occasions, and loved all his performances. My best experience with Van Morrison, is the concert he did at the Norwegian Wood festival in Oslo in June 2000. Both because Van the Man was telling jokes on stage, and making fun of his musicians. But also because of the dove. Today is his 67th birthdfay, but I sincerely hope he has no plans of retiring.
Maybe you have seen the Waco Brothers on stage? Or the Mekons? Or the Three Johns? Or maybe Jon Langford with his own band? All these bands have one thing in commen, and that is this British gentleman, living in Chicago. When he doesn’t play music, he makes art or writes books.
Willie Nelson is 79 years old today, April 30th, and he just got a statue in his hometown Austin. On top of that a part or 2nd Street in Austin has been renamed Wilie Nelson Boulevard. Here are some pictures I took of him when he was 70 and 75 years old.
Motopony
SXSW 2012 is over, and how to summarize an event like this? Around 2000 official showcases, about 1000 unofficial bands, numerous parties, a 6th Street where you almost couldn’t get through because of all the people, many people not getting in at gigs, Bruce Springsteen 50 Cent, Norah Jones, Jimmy Cliff, Alabama Shakes.
One of my very best Austin traditions, is Leeann Atherton’s Barndance on the Sunday after the last SXSW day. It has been my tradition since 1997, and through Leeann, I have met many interesting and very friendly people from South Austin. I have had some great BBQ, too!
10 years ago I attended an exclusive showcase indoors at Stubb’s with Norah Jones, where she played songs from her new CD, Come Away With Me. That tile there was no problem getting in at the small venue. This year she presented her new CD, Little Broken Hearts at La Zona Rosa, and half of the people waiting in line didn’t get in.
One of the most events with most buzz at the SXSW this year, was the Shady 2.0 event at the Austin Music Hall, starring many of Shady Records’ artist with 50 Cent as the headliner. As a much anticipated surprise, Eminem came on stage with him for the song Patiently Waiting.
Alejandro Escovedo is one of the musical jewels of Austin. At the Austin Music Awards show, he was the closing act, and he brought many of his musical friends with him on stage. Among them Bruce Springsteen, Joe Ely, Dan Dyer and Garland Jeffreys.
The last act at the ACL Moody Theatre on the first day of the Music festival at SXSW was Lionel Richie. His voice is still fantastic, and his songs aren’t any worse.
Here are some pictures from the concert.
Artist Pictures Blog 
