Report for the M Bar concert from Sat. Sept. 13.

It should be noted that Kevin Pollak (of "The Usual Suspects," among other things) was in the cast of the "Thrilling Adventure and Supernatural Suspense Hour" preceding the Common Rotation set.

On a completely non-music note, I got to meet/sit with Julia and her spouse Andrew, which was a delightful experience.

Jordan is on tour with Redman of Wu Tang Clan (he'd previously toured with the group), so he was not there. Lineup for the evening was Eric, Adam, Ken, Matt Gelinda Palmer on accordion and piano, Matt Young on stand-up bass and Matt's Dustbowl Cavaliers compatriot Mark McConville on electric guitar and something that looked like a guitar that is played flat (like a keyboard) instead of being held across the body.

First up was the T-Bone Burnett cover "No Love at All." This song, like many during the set, had a really hard strumming sound with all the guitars and bass in there.

"92 Mics" had Mark on electric guitar, which gave some of it a kind of Jimi Hendrix sound and Gelinda on piano added a new flavor.

Then Kevin Pollak (the reason for the above note) came onstage with "Thrilling Hour" regular Sam Levine and Jonathan Dinerstein, who played electric keyboards. Backed by Common Rotation, Pollak and Levine did their version of William Shatner singing Elton John's "Rocket Man." This is up on the Union Maid Archive, and I advise you to listen to it, because my description and your imagination are just not going to do it justice.

Matt Young then took lead vocals on "Let's Go for a Drive," a song he wrote. Adam was on harmonica and Gelinda on the accordion for this very twangy, upbeat country piece.

Folk singer Terry Binion joined the group to add female vocals to "All SMiles Tonight," which sounded lovely and smooth.

There was a break while everybody onstage took off their suit jackets, as it was pretty warm in the theatre. Then the band launched into "Plan Ahead," with Ken on snare drum, Matt really wailing on the bass, Gelinda on accordion, Mark playing the flat electric guitar-like instrument I don't know the name of and Adam lively on lead vocals all made for really infection rhythm.

Craig Kakonski came on stage to do lead vocals on a John Prine song called possibly "Saturday Night" or "Dreamin' Just Comes Natural." Adam was on harmonica and Gelinda on accordion.

"My Kingdom" had Adam on harmonica instead of his customary (for this song) autoharp. Gelinda was on accordion, Ken was on shaker and cojone and the strings of Eric, Mark and Matt were very powerful. Matt and Ken also contributed back-up vocals.

For "Easy Chair," Eric took up the electric guitar, Mark took the acoustic guitar, Gelinda was on piano, Adam on harmonica, Ken on snare drum, Matt on bass and Mark sang lead vocals.

For "Bitter Honey," Eric and Mark traded guitars so that Eric was back on the acoustic and Mark on the electric, with Gelinda on piano and Ken on cojone, with Matt and Adam providing backup vocals. It sounded really strong and good.

The off-mike number was "God Will," with Eric on guitar, Ken on shaker bar and everybody else just singing along. Eric sang the traditional first verse, everyone did the chorus and then Adam did an election-oriented verse, encouraging us all to sing along on the chorus.

So, as usual, great show with old stuff, new stuff and really unexpected stuff.

Shapenew

Eric on electric guitar? I would have loved to seen that. I've only seen Eric play acoustic.

That was Kevin Pollak doing Rocket Man? I've seen him do Shatner on talk shows. Wish I could've seen that Rocket Man rendition live!

Thanks for keeping us up to date on the group's gigs!

Mark playing the flat electric guitar-like instrument I don't know the name of It sounds like it could have been a pedal steel guitar... but then I have been known to be wrong before

Thanks as ever for the report

Cheers

Oh yeah, so it was! Usual Suspects is one of my absolute favourite films too! Pardon Mr Pollak, I’m just very bad with names and faces. We missed recognising Natalie Portman earlier in the week too - but then I mostly know her from when she was 13!

Thanks for the review Shapenew -it was brilliant to be able to share the table with you and the famous notebook! I had to wait for you, because now, not so much a review - more of an..

I’ve been to the Mbar!!! Huzzah!!
And I wish the experience on every one of you!

There was this crazy rumour that I’d come to America just to attend this show! Well, not quite - but the timing was most definitely calculated, of course! A flight Stateside, without a show, is just not the done thing! Not at all. This has been quite the trip though. A special, long-planned vacation of the birthday milestone year (eep) type! One that takes lots of 13-hour working days to pay for (and will take many, many more to pay off!) So I first left part of my heart (again) in New ♥ York, survived the excesses (just about) of Las Vegas, and met the only Rastafarian Samurai Cowboy at the Grand Canyon.. Before we ended up being valet parked at 1253 Vine Street, Hollywood on the second Saturday in the month.

Been waiting nearly a year to do that. I used to promise myself a trip one day to The Hotel Café - but then The Mbar became a bigger draw!

The Mbar is a gorgeous venue once you get inside - chandeliers and red velvet and a veritable buzz. Although the regular sell-out of this evening might well warrant a move to larger premises - it seems a perfect fit for proceedings. (And the chicken pasta is gorgeous besides!)

First the “Thrilling Hour” part of the evening. Such brilliant fun, such amazing talent. If only I could follow the ongoing adventures of Sparks Nevada, Jefferson Reid, Ace American and my personal favourite hero(ine) Sadie Doyle! - Alas. Lucky Mbar patrons of the regular variety - you had, and continue to have, my envy.

And then THE show. Which is actually pretty much an extension of the first part of the evening! Common Rotation & Guest Stars. Or Constant Explosion - Marc Evan Jackson’s band actually. He wrote every song, don’t you know? When he was 17.

Very funny guy. Love his delivery. But we’re definitely not talking your regular gig, here. For the likes of husband mine - the perfect format. For me - I don’t deny wishing for maybe an extra song out of the interrupting chat-time maybe but it is SUCH an upbeat, fun, funny show - it’s a small wish (and I over indulged in some 3rd St Promenade buskers to compensate!) But here we have 92 Mics and this is always a top favourite of mine. The first notes can paint a Cheshire-Cat type grin on my face, whenever I hear them (subject matter notwithstanding!) And there is the ever gorgeous Bitter Honey, and I’d really hoped to hear My Kingdom and was not to be disappointed! Although I’d thought it would be cool to see/hear the Autoharp - for I doubt it will ever make an overseas trip? - I’m quite the harmonica fan, truth be told. - pretty much catered for in that regard! When Eric swapped guitars it reminded me of a really old video that is online with a whole band swap - with Adam on drums?? At The Bitter End?? I forget the precise details - you might know what I mean? It’s an awesome video. That pedal/table guitar (?) was too loud and overbearing for me to start with…but I do love the energy and sound of a bigger band (yeah yeah I love the completely stripped down folk too! ) - it’s all good. Big shame Jordan was off touring though.

Perfect finale in God Will. Perfect.

Most of the audience then cleared out - but we stayed and watched the last band play - because I feel real bad for an act with no audience! (they only had about half a dozen bums on seats as it was) They were not at all bad. They had a girl playing a washboard with a mini whisk. And why not?

Back to enjoying the shows vicariously.

Jules

oh and I'm glad I didn't listen to the UM of Rocket Man until the morning after the night before! I love surprises. There were many.

Back to enjoying the shows vicariously

welcome home Jules!

Thanks for the most excellent squee from you...*bounce* Cheers *yay!*

welcome home Jules!

cheers Christy - I wish I could have brought some folk singers back with me, but the suitcase was a tad tight and I think customs may have objected.

Anything to declare?

it reminded me of a really old video that is online with a whole band swap - with Adam on drums?? At The Bitter End??

I think you mean Softly. I can't remember when it was but you're right, it was the Bitter End. Sadly though the video isn't available any more. I have the audio though, if you're interested.

http://www.commonrotation.de/files/music/lyrics/softly.php

ah yes indeed!

Adam and Eric look very nice indeed, with their vests and ties. Hello, Ken! And, there's Eric with the electric guitar.

Thanks for the photos!

these are really fabulous! Especially as my photographic mementos of the night are poor! I will be holding on to this link

Yay! Photos! Thank you

And thanks for the report.

yay pics!

And now because I was right (the pictures show this to be true) this hardly never happens and I am indeed four and three quarters

It was a Pedal Steel Guitar !!! YAY!

It's a shame the M Bar hasn't got a webcast, the Bitter End ones were great, well if you could stay up that late!

Two reviews and photos, thanks everyone. So waistcoats are vests in the US! Cute in any language

and do you know what an English vest is in American?
I didn't.
enquiring minds must investigate!!
Tis an undershirt.

always educational

Now where else could you hear a new song everyday and learn a new word for undergarments!