Tracks 17-19: Highway 61 (May 24, 2008)

“Bandits” – Buck 65
“Is There Anybody Here That Love My Jesus” – Medeski, Martin, & Wood
“Highway 61 Revisited” – Bob Dylan

There’s been something ominous in the air the past few days – Thursday night’s thunderstorm over Des Moines was fierce and last night there were more tornadoes in Kansas and Oklahoma. Now I’m down in Fort Worth, and having listened to all Dylan all day – Oh Mercy, Rolling Thunder, Highway 61, Royal Albert, Modern Times – I feel like arrived in a good place. At least mentally. I started to really lose it yesterday. Happy Birthday, Bob. Thank you for the music.

To rewind a bit – Thursday morning I had some free time in Omaha and I wandered in from the rain and into Second Chance, an incredible antique and second-hand store. It’s like your favorite grandmother’s basement times infinity. I was feeling a bit overwhelmed until I spotted boxes of old photographs, which I devoured. The night before I had seen La Dolce Vita at Film Streams, Omaha’s non-profit cinema. It was part of their European 60s series – incredible on the big screen – and the black-and-white characters were still with me as I rifled through the boxes of musty memories. I tend to favor the old movies because I think the cumbersome cranes and other old equipment required more thought… and the characters and story are usually more interesting, in my opinion. That being said I’m psyched to go see Indiana Jones in an hour

I headed to Des Moines in the afternoon to play Ritual Cafe, where I had the best meal of the trip thus far. It was a vegan roasted vegetable sandwich with homemade humus and balsamic vinegar… delicious. And the people who work there are so welcoming – their smiles positively illuminated the eerie evening. Afterwards I had the great fortune of staying with a soulful artist – a painter, bodywork therapist, avid music lover, and all-around renaissance woman. We stayed up drinking wine and listening to several of the many independent musicians who have nested in her guest room. Then I once again passed out. I don’t go to sleep anymore – I pass out. Which is kind of nice, as I’ve struggled with insomnia my entire life. Not lately! In the morning I was lucky enough to experience a shoulder adjustment before her first client arrived and I headed down to Wichita. Wow. My shoulders liked that.

I hauled down to Wichita and checked in with the kind folks of Kirby’s. I didn’t realize I wouldn’t be playing until several hours later, so I went looking for a motel where I could take a nap and, I don’t know, shower, maybe? No such luck. I spent an hour calling and driving around Wichita, but apparently there were huge sporting events going on and every hotel and motel in town – and in the surrounding towns – was booked. Impossible! I went back to Kirby’s, where Paul, the nicest bartender I’ve ever met, started calling around, too… nope. Every single area motel was sold out! I ended up driving on to Oklahoma City, where fortunately there weren’t any Olympics.

You may have noticed that yesterday’s song, “Is There Anybody Here That Love My Jesus,” is not your typical driving song. However after a day spent reading billboards along I-35 through Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas, I felt it was the only appropriate selection.

This morning I went to the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum before heading out of Oklahoma City. I did not know what I was getting into – this place is remarkably comprehensive, from videos to artwork to mock campsites to hundreds of samples of barbed wire, guns, saddles, costumes… I was feeling a little overwhelmed (did I mention screaming children?) until I saw a clip of Clint (sigh) Eastwood. Oh, Blondie…

Just my luck, today the museum was hosting a Chuck Wagon Gathering and Children’s Festival, so with the (increased) price of admission I got to check that out. However, as I apparently am not a child – and have not a child – and I don’t eat animals, I wasn’t able to participate in any of the festivities. I asked a woman if I could have a bandana that all the kids were decorating and she said no, so I went to another lady and made up a niece. If you are going to charge me for a festival and then not let me partake, I’m going to get something for it. And I’m sure one day I’ll have a niece – just thinking ahead.

Have a nice holiday weekend!

The Ultimate Road Mix So Far…

1. “Escapade” – Janet Jackson (May 6, 2008)
2. “Cars Trucks Buses” – Phish (May 7, 2008)
3. “Heart of the Country” – Paul & Linda McCartney (May 8, 2008)
4. “Why Georgia” – John Mayer (May 9, 2008)
5. “Runnin Down A Dream” – Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers (May 10, 2008)
6. “Sweet Home Alabama” – Lynyrd Skynyrd (May 11, 2008)
7. “I’m So Tired” – The Beatles (May 12, 2008)
8. “Tennessee Jed” – The Grateful Dead (May 13, 2008)
9. “Why Don’t We Do It In The Road?” – The Beatles (May 14, 2008)
10. “Tennessee Blues” – Steve Earle (May 15, 2008)
11. “Consolers of the Lonely” – The Raconteurs (May 16, 2008)
12. “Midwest” – Sound Tribe Sector Nine (May 17, 2008)
13. “The Big Country” – Talking Heads (May 18. 2008)
14. “Everyday Is A Winding Road” – Sheryl Crow (May 19, 2008)
15. “Omaha (1994 – Live at Elysee Montmartre) – Counting Crows (May 20, 2008)
16. “Tonight I’ll Be Staying Here With You” – Bob Dylan (May 21, 2008)
17. “Bandits” – Buck 65 (May 22, 2008)
18. “Is There Anybody Here That Love My Jesus” – Medeski, Martin, & Wood (May 23, 2008)
19. “Highway 61 Revisited” – Bob Dylan (May 24, 2008)

Winter Tour Blog 1: New York to Nebraska (January 14, 2008)

Greetings from Omaha! I am very happy to be here in this lovely part of the world, and especially after driving 1346 miles (and counting). The farmland is stunning, and the ongoing conversation between the snow and the sun has been a pleasure to witness as I snake my way through the Midwest.Note: Blogger is a little under the weather (which is very cold) and not posting pictures, but they’re on the website. The link – as well as video – are posted below.The Chicago show was a perfect place to start, and there was a wonderfully attentive and supportive crowd at Uncommon Ground Saturday night. It was my first time in Chicago, and I had a really good feeling about it. At first glance it doesn’t seem very pretty – very industrial – but just beneath the surface – and you don’t need to go deep – it’s apparent that it is a special place. I sensed a lot of ghosts, and they were friendly ghosts. The thing about traveling so much is that I find all these places I fall in love with and then have to move on. But that’s a good thing, as long as I keep moving.Though I wish I had some more time in Chicago, I am happy to be on the other side of Iowa and into Nebraska. I don’t know what it is about Iowa, but I seem to have bad luck there. At least with food. (For the Iowans reading this, I know I-80 is not a fair representation of your fine state). Last time I drove through I remember being really hungry and not being able to find anything to eat. I ended up stopping in Adel and, if I remember correctly, I cried. That sounds kind of pathetic, I know, but I was a long way from home, and hunger/exhaustion/long bouts of driving can bring on the tears, not to mention traveling with a soon-to-be-ex-boyfriend. So last night I exited I-80 when I saw an “Organic Farm Restaurant” sign, thinking (hoping) that my Iowa experience was about to change for the better. Alas, it was nowhere to be found, and I am assuming it’s a seasonal thing. As I got back on the highway, frustrated, I was amused to discover that Adel was the next exit. Ah, the circle of life. Love it. At least this time I have monopoly over the CD selections. No need for tears (until “Amelia” comes on).Speaking of food, here’s a clip of me enjoying my highway oatmeal early this morning (thanks to my freight train wake-up call), obviously very excited to have survived last night’s “Psycho”-worthy motel:Yes, come to the show Tuesday night and you just might get to sample some of that yummy goodness After a lot of car time, I needed to walk myself, so I went to Platte River State Park this afternoon to hike. However it was more like skating – the trails were ICE and I hugged several trees, thinking how horrible it would be to have to cancel the tour if I happened to break my wrist on my misadventure. So my hike was short-lived, also because the sun was going down and I kept accidentally following frozen footprints leading off-path. My mind began playing tricks (ie. “which would be worse, to cross paths with a bear or a serial killer?” etc.). The fresh air did me a world of good.Check out the pictures on the “Pictures” page of the website and come to Mick’s Music Bar tomorrow night, where I’ll be the Featured Artist!