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Rhubarb Diaries
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Friday, 27 August 2010 00:31
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 Note: This post appeared in the 8/22/2010 issue of the Austin American-Statesman in the “Tales Of The City” column. I have added some additional musings (italics) and video clips to the original article.
Some might call it a journey. Some might call it a life-changing adventure. Whatever name you use, the inspiration for it began many years ago, in a place far removed from the Lone Star State – the Great White North. The date was August 16, 1984. The place –the National Arts Center in Ottawa, Canada, perhaps the perfect acoustic environment for live music. The performers? None other than Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble. I was 18 years old – sitting there stunned, mesmerized, awestruck by the legendary power of Vaughan’s expression with a guitar. This was live blues music as I’d only imagined. If Austin, Texas was producing guitar players (and the blues) like this, then that was something that I had to experience firsthand. |
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Rhubarb Diaries
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Thursday, 04 February 2010 21:19
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 The Live Music Capital of the World. You see it as soon as you fly into Austin Bergstrom International Airport. The City of Austin have been using this as their motto for quite some time now. I’ve never really doubted the truth in it. I discovered Austin because of the music. When I found out that there were more guitar players per capita in Austin than in any other place in the universe (my statistics), how could I not want to visit?
After peeling away the layers upon layers of Austin guitar players, you then discover the vibe, the sound, the feel that is “Austin music”. It is a blend of many musical styles that has grown and evolved organically to create that unmistakable vibe. It’s Joe Ely, live at the Liberty Lunch. It’s Sarah Hickman or Lyle Lovett or David Garza at the Cactus. It’s Stevie Ray Vaughan at Antones. It’s Asleep At The Wheel at the Broken Spoke. Or how about the Arc Angels at the Opera House? Or Soul Hat at the Black Cat Lounge? Or Storyville at Stubbs? Much of that “Austin sound” has been fostered by the laid-back music scene, where artists could come to play their music amongst others who would appreciate it, groove to it, and cultivate it. You came to Austin to play music in the presence of others who love music. My own personal experience as a musician was reflective of that. But sadly, we are now faced with yet another Austin music landmark closing. With this week’s announcement of the closing of the Cactus Cafe, I am left to ponder the evolution – or perhaps devolution - of the Live Music Capital of the World. |
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Rhubarb Diaries
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Sunday, 01 November 2009 13:02
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 It all started back in 1983 in Kingston, Canada – and after 12 albums and 26 years of playing together, it is readily apparent to me: the Hip have still got it. It’s fair to say that the Tragically Hip are relatively unknown in the US, though they are one of the greatest Canadian bands to grace the planet. In Canada, it’s an afterthought that they sell out stadiums and open air venues within hours of tickets going on sale. But the “Live Music Capital of the World”, Austin, has always had a connection with Das Hips. I’ve been fortunate to watch their growth and evolution over the years. They were students at Queen’s University when I was doing my undergrad degree there. The early days had them playing on campus at Alfie’s and off-campus at places like The Manor. In 1987 they recorded their first EP, and I distinctly remember the talk on campus that the Hip were doing a video for their first single (I think it was “Small Town Bringdown”) at the Manor, so everyone should show up. They were a good cover band, and the first inklings of their own material were solid. The Hip were the real deal in Kingston. Ahhh I remember those days well. Moving to Austin in 1990, I got to see them in some very small clubs, something that was unheard-of for them in Canada. Friends used to lament that I was able to see them in a small venue, and they couldn’t get tickets to see them anywhere in Canada. I was able to see them at classic venues like Liberty Lunch. One of the most notable was the show at the Lunch in which they were in town to do a live test of upcoming material. Austin has been one of the few US cities that really “get” the Hip. |
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Wednesday, 12 May 2004 05:54
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This is but a short list of the music that makes my heart sing and my mind wander ...
Eric Johnson - anything from his catalog, but I would strongly suggest "Bloom" and "Ah Via Musicom". Eric is one of my two or three most favorite guitar players - and an Austinite as well.
Stevie Ray Vaughan - check out "In Step" with the beautiful strains of "Riviera Paradise". Stevie was the person that made me aware of Austin. It's only appropriate that I now run past his statue on Town Lake on a regular basis. He's another Austinite, so there must be something in the water that breeds fine guitar players here!
The Tragically Hip
Ry Cooder
Robert Johnson
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