First Avenue Turns 50! Paul Westerberg- Minneapolis, MN: The Craft 2007

Last Friday April 3, marked the 50th anniversary of the legendary club, The First Avenue in downtown Minneapolis. The club opened in April 1970 when it was known as the Depot because previously the building actually was a Greyhound bus station depot. Joe Cocker's Mad Dogs and Englishmen launched the venue with the first ever show at the Depot, as the club become a popular live venue for local and International musicians. The history of the club is a long and sometimes complicated story with several financial disputes, bankruptcy, closure, format/theme changes and name changes. For an informative history of the club, watch the excellent documentary, First Avenue: Closer To the Stars. In 1972, the club changed it's image and the Depot evolved to become Uncle Sam's (Uncle Sam's was a part of a national franchise of the American Events Company) with DJ dance nights and it literally became a massive disco.

It wasn't until 1981 when the club changed it's name to the First Avenue and a year prior they opened the 7th St. Entry side room that the club gained momentum to become something special. The amount of great shows and bands that have played at the First Avenue in the past thirty years is eye popping. The stars painted on the side of the building are just some of the names that have helped propel the First Avenue through the years. There's no doubt that Prince was very responsible for giving the club national recognition and it became a tourist attraction, but the rise of the Minneapolis music scene nationally in the 1980's can be traced to many incredible shows at the corner of First Avenue and 7th St. Besides Prince, there were other great bands that frequently played the club such as the Replacements, Husker Du, Soul Asylum, Suburbs, Trip Shakespeare and the Jayhawks to name only a few. I've had the pleasure of seeing several good shows at the First Avenue, I think the first was in 1997 with Dinosaur Jr and I haven't been back since 2007 when I saw Fountains of Wayne, with lots of cool shows between. Presently, as well as the The First Avenue and 7th St. Entry, the owners also operate the Turf Club and the Palace Theatre in St. Paul and also own the Fine Line in Minneapolis. First Avenue is one of the longest running independently owned and operated clubs in the United States. It appears the club has been doing well except now with COVID-19 the reality of the situation is in jeopardy with mass postponement of concerts in their calendar of events. The hope is that the club (and all clubs!), as well as the music industry will bounce back strong whenever things get back to a near normal in the near future (we can only hope).

For the next few posts as a tribute to the First Avenue, I'll be posting shows from this venue with a range of artists from the Twin Cities and beyond. I probably won't share shows I attended/taped at the clubs mainly because the sound quality isn't great, but there are many must-hear shows at the First Avenue that were recorded.

First up is a show from 2007 from Twin Cities resident, Paul Westerberg who participated in an installment of "The Craft" a Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame interview/performance series. Hosted by writer/musician, Warren Zanes, (formerly of the band, Del Fuegos) he talked to Westerberg about various topics and gave some rare insight into his personal life, music and recording and performing with the Replacements. Between interview segments, Westerberg picked up his guitar and performed ten songs from his solo career and the Replacements. A truly unique concept and concert experience and fortunately Zanes is a knowledgeable fan and interviewer to make a potentially dry event into a memorable evening with one of the most talented singer songwriters of his generation.
Enjoy!

Please do NOT sell or profit from this recording!
Do NOT convert to lossy format (except for personal use)
Please share!


PAUL WESTERBERG
First Avenue
Minneapolis, MN
September 23, 2007

The Craft Interview/Performance

Lineage: (Master audience recording)
Coresound Binaurals> M-Audio Microtrack>
Goldwave> CD WAV Editor> FLAC
Recorded by: Rob

01. Warren Zanes Intro
02. Let The Bad Times Roll
03. Interview Part One
04. It's A Wonderful Lie
05. Interview Part Two
06. Everyone's Stupid
07. Lush And Green
08. Interview Part Three
09. Make The Best Of Me
10. Interview Part Four
11. What A Day For A Night
12. Interview Part Five
13. World Class Fad
14. Dyslexic Heart
15. Can't Hardly Wait
16. Skyway

PAUL WESTERBERG- 2007-09-23 First Avenue, Mpls, MN The Craft FLAC. rar 

New Pornographers- MacEwan Ballroom, Calgary, AB, October 12, 2007

If you read my previous post, you know I'm going to a concert on October 7th besides The Fuse fundraiser. I'm going to see the New Pornographers, a band I've seen at least 6 times previously in Winnipeg and Calgary. The shows were all good, despite a couple times without vocalist, Neko Case who if you haven't heard has a somewhat successful, at least in indie terms, solo career. The last time I saw the band, my recording wasn't good as the levels were accidentally set with a max volume setting which produced a flat tinny sounding recording. A few shows stand out in positive terms though, like the first time I saw the band in 2002 with the original lineup at the WECC. It was a fun show with plenty of good-natured banter between Carl and Neko and the band was very entertaining. Cool covers of  Cruel To Be Kind, Action, Send Me A Postcard and a mini-Heart set "riff-off" were highlights. This was the show that made me realize Neko Case was the coolest ever! (my post, "Vintage Porn" with my mp3 recording of the show)

The other stand out show was in Calgary pretty close to 10 years ago to this date with the complete lineup with Neko and Dan Bejar who doesn't tour with the band much outside of shows in Vancouver. I realized how awkward and weird it must be for the band to have Dan drift on and off the stage only staying on stage if he was singing lead, of course with a glass in his hand, classic! There's almost always a special feeling seeing a band in another city and I felt all warm and fuzzy standing in the middle of the horde on the MacEwan Ballroom floor at the University of Calgary. It was tight and sweaty surrounded by screaming college girls and this show goes down on my list of most enjoyable or at least memorable concerts. I happened to be in town for a conference that weekend and I actually bought a ticket at the door. I fortunately brought my recording gear to Calgary (who doesn't travel with audio recording gear?) and captured the show in all it's glory. As mentioned there was some chatter and screaming, but you get used to it quick and the recording sounds just like you were there in the crowd. It's not perfect, but I thought it was too good not to share and revisit. I posted this show on Dime a few days after the show and posted only a few song highlights (no longer available) on the blog. I thought to prepare myself for the concert on Saturday I would share the complete show from 10 years ago in lossless format. It's kind of a re-seed from Dime, but now is exclusive to TDIT. It's a great show and I admit I haven't been as enthusiastic about their newer material as I was with this earlier era. I'm sure they won't play many of the songs from this setlist on Saturday so enjoy this classic show.
Enjoy!

• My original post of the New Pornographers 2007 Calgary show "There's Nothing Like Great Porn!" 
• Share! Please DO NOT sell and convert to lossy mp3 format.

NEW PORNOGRAPHERS
"MacEwan Ballroom"
Calgary, AB, Canada
October 12, 2007

Audience MASTER
Sony ECM-DS70P mic> Sharp MD-MT90> ADS Instant Music> USB> Nero Soundtrax> Wav>
Direct Wave MP3 Splitter> FLAC> rar

01. Intro [Classical Gas]
02. All The Things That Go To Heaven And Earth
03. Use It
04. Myriad Harbour
05. Electric Version
06. All The Old Showstoppers
07. Jackie, Dressed In Cobras
08. Challengers
09. The Laws Have Changed
10. The Spirit Of Giving
11. My Rights Versus Yours
12. Mass Romantic
13. Adventures In Solitude
14. Twin Cinema
15. Go Places
16. Sing Me Spanish Techno
17. Bleeding Heart Show

encore
18. Mutiny, I Promise You
19. Jackie
20. From Blown Speakers
21. The Slow Descent Into Alcoholism

 length [86:18]

NEW PORNOGRAPHERS- 2007-10-12 FLAC Master. rar

Laurie Lindeen- Petal Pusher Book/Concert Launch June 16, 2007

Photos: (Daniel Corrigan)

As I write this I'm packing my bags and preparing to head off on vacation for two weeks at the cabin on the lake. Yup, 8 straight hours north to the land of limited internet and no TV! This is a perfect opportunity to catch up on my music listening and book reading among the tall tree and cool wind off the lake. Actually, I'm not much of a reader during the rest of the year, but very much look forward to getting to my stockpile of books. This year I'm bringing to the cabin, Girl In A Band (Kim Gordon), Old Records Never Die (Eric Spitznagel), Here Come The Regulars: How to Run a Record Label on a Shoestring Budget (Ian Anderson), My Year Of Flops (Nathan Rabin) and Uncut: Ultimate Music Guide- The Kinks (magazine). All but the Old Records Never Die are bargain bin purchases and the Kinks magazine is a super deluxe expensive "magazine". In past years I read books about Yo La Tengo, lots of Nick Hornby, a bunch by Rob Sheffield and just about anything about music, records and movies. A couple summer ago, I finally read, Petal Pusher from Zuzu's Petals frontwomen, Laurie Lindeen. I really enjoyed the book especially since I attended the book launch/concert in St. Paul, Minnesota over 10 years ago. It makes a lot more sense now since I didn't know the context of many of the stories and characters in the book. Regardless the concert was amazing and it was a treat to see Paul Westerberg (now ex-husband of Laurie) and other favourite musicians like, Steve Wynn, Linda Pitmon, Mark Olsen, Marc Perlman and the reunion of Zuzu's Petals. I wrote a much more detailed review about the concert in a post from June 22, 2007

I had a request to post this show, previously I only posted some highlights from the concert and posted my complete audience recording on Dime. This version is the FM broadcast from Minneapolis, The Current and though the sound quality is superior, it is edited to exclude a couple songs and a part of the interview. I've included the notes from the info file included with the FLAC download file I received with the disc of the show.
Enjoy!!

Laurie Lindeen
"The Current Fakebook series"
June 16, 2007
The Fitzgerald Theater
St. Paul, MN

Source: Soundboard -> FM
Transfer: FM -> CD-> FreeRip -> flac -> rar

Interview and concert recorded by KCMP 89.3 FM - The Current - St. Paul, MN
Broadcast on 6/24/07

Host - Mary Lucia
Notes: Lucia interviewed Lindeen regarding her book, "Petal Pusher: A Rock and Roll Cinderella Story". The interview was split up with performances by her Minneapolis friends that had inspired her.

Outstanding show! Highlights include Paul Westerberg's first live performance since injuring his hand and Zuzu's Petals (Laurie Lindeen, Coleen Elwood, Linda Pitmon) reuniting for 2 songs! Other guests include Mark Olson (The Jayhawks), Lori Barbero (Babes In Toyland), Steve Wynn (Dream Syndicate, Gutterball and Danny and Dusty), John Eller (Paradox, Eller & Lynch), Jim Boquist (Son Volt), Ed Ackerson (Polara, 27 Various), Marc Perlman (The Jayhawks).

Family Tree: Laurie Lindeen is married to Paul Westerberg.  Mary Lucia is Paul Westerberg's younger sister, and Laurie Lindeen's sister-in-law.  Linda Pitmon is married to Steve Wynn.  Presumably some of the other people have slept together as well.

The Current edited several bits of the performance.  Curse words are bleeped and "God" from "Goddamn Angel" is removed. The 2 Rolling Stones' songs that Eller and Westerberg jammed on after the intermission are not included.  People were still out in the lobby when Paul and co. came to the stage and he said something like "we were asked to kill some time".  And finally, the dialogue about Babes In Toyland and the performance from Lori Barbero is completely absent. :(

tracks:
01. Laurie Lindeen interview - "growing up"
02. STEVE WYNN * - Still Holding On To You [The Dream Syndicate]
03. interview - "musicals"
04. JOHN ELLER @ - 'Til There Was You [from "The Music Man", The Beatles version]
05. interview - "moving to Minneapolis"
06. MARK OLSON & MARIA RUSSELL - Five Cups Of Coffee [The Jayhawks]
07. interview - "first gigs, early Zuzu's Petals"
08. ZUZU'S PETALS - God Cries
    -intermission-
XX. PAUL WESTERBERG # - Mother's Little Helper [The Rolling Stones]
XX. JOHN ELLER # - Loving Cup [The Rolling Stones]
09. interview - "touring England" & "meeting Paul"
XX. LORI BARBERO $ - Dogg [Babes in Toyland]
10. PAUL WESTERBERG % - I've Grown Accustomed To Your Face [from "My Fair Lady"]
11. PAUL WESTERBERG - Goddamn Angel
12. interview - "Zuzu's Petals 2nd album and later stages"
13. ZUZU'S PETALS - Love Bullet
14. interview - "Laurie reading excerpt from her book"
15. FINALE ! - Daydream Believer [The Monkees]

* Steve Wynn-vocals & guitar, Ed Ackerson-guitar, Mark Perlman-bass, Linda Pitmon-drums
@ John Eller-vocals & guitar, Mark Perlman-bass, Paul Westerberg-drums
# Paul Westerberg-lead vocals & guitar, John Eller-lead vocals & piano, Ed Ackerson-guitar, Jim Boquist-guitar, Mark Perlman-bass, Linda Pitmon-drums
$ Lori Barbero-vocals & drums, unknown guitarist
% with acting assistance from Jim Boquist
! John Eller-lead vocals & piano, Paul Westerberg-guitar, Steve Wynn-guitar, Ed Ackerson-maracas, Marc Perlman-bass, Linda Pitmon-drums, Laurie Lindeen-vocals, Coleen Elwood-vocals, Lori Barbero-vocals, Jim Boquist-vocals)


LAURIE LINDEEN & FRIENDS- 2007-06-16 Fitzgerald Theatre, St. Paul, MN FM FLAC. rar

Fountains Of Wayne- First Avenue, Minneapolis, MN June 13, 2007

Ten years ago, in June, I happened to be in the Twin Cities for a pair of concerts I was fortunate enough to get tickets to. I wrote about this trip, Lots To See In Minneapolis and St. Paul where I posted excerpts from the MPR's The Current Fakebook series featuring Laura Lindeen's book launch concert held in the amazing Fitzgerald Theatre in St. Paul. Laura was promoting her memoir, Petal Pusher: A Rock and Roll Cinderella Story, which included her time living in the Minneapolis music scene of the late 80's and 90's. At the time, Laura was married to Paul Westerberg which of course peaked my interest and to accompany readings and a live on stage interview, music guests performed during this book launch/reading/concert event. Guests included, Mark Olson (of the Jayhawks and Creekdippers), Marc Perlman, Steve Wynn, Westerberg and a two song reunion by Lindeen's former band, Zuzu's Petals. As it happens, I didn't buy the book, but I did borrow it from the library a couple summers ago and it was a very interesting read. Kinda glad I waited because I became much more familiar with Zuzu's Petals before I read the book and I knew Laura and Paul had since split (sad to hear).

The other concert I mentioned, but failed to follow up with on "the next post", was Fountains of Wayne on June 13, 2007 at the First Avenue in downtown Minneapolis. What I remember most about the show was that it was hot and humid and pressed together tightly in the crowd standing on the floor of the club. The Broken West opened and they were fantastic! Their debut album, I Can't Go On, I'll Go On, is a great album and was on heavy rotation at work and on my iPod. They put on an energetic set of brilliant power pop, a perfect pairing with Fountains Of Wayne. I recorded their set as well, if anyone is interested.

If you've ever been to the First Ave (at least in 2007), they roll down a screen in front of the stage to screen short films and video while the band sets up behind the screen. It caught me off guard when a recorded Traffic and Weather intro began before they launched into I've Got Flair. I don't think I missed much of the intro, but it gets tricky when the lights go out and I have to tweak settings on my recorder. Another reason why a mini flashlight is a must have to carry when taping. I suffered a near recording mishap when I saw Paul Westerberg at the Guthrie Theatre in 2002 when the lights went out at the beginning of the concert and I couldn't see my recorder (mini-disc recorder back light stays on a very short time) and I had to unplug the mic and crawl on the floor down the aisle to the the lights on the stairs to adjust the settings. Embarrassing and stupid, always carry a flashlight!

Remembering back ten years, I recalled what a great live band Fountains Of Wayne are. Though they don't boast the most visually stunning stage show, they play to their strengths. They keep the banter light and funny, they have a cool casual persona about them even with Jody's "rock star swagger" and they delivered a great set of music. Despite the commercial over-saturation of their "hit", Stacy's Mom, Welcome Interstate Managers is a classic album. Every song has a memorable hook and it's their most consistent effort yet. The album they toured in 2007, Traffic and Weather has definitely grown on me through the years and it was exciting to hear some of the tracks live.

About a month ago I was listening to another FOW live recording and it suddenly dawned on me, what happened to my recording of FOW when I saw them in 2007? I realized I never actually transferred the show from mini-disc to my hard drive or at least burned a disc from it. The other concert I saw in the Twin Cities that weekend (Laura Lindeen) was apparently my immediate priority and I apologize for taking so long to post this show.I dug up the disc and replaced an old corroded battery out of the mini-disc player and gave it a listen. A couple weeks later I uploaded the concert. The sound is pretty good considering the crowd I was standing in and despite the surrounding chatter I'm happy with the recording. I've never seen another live recording of the show and my version has never been shared (or heard by anyone but me) or traded anywhere until now.

Note: The poster pictured at the top of this post I bought at the concert. That too was almost forgotten as I've yet to get around framing it. Don't get too excited, it's signed by members of the band, not Fountains of Wayne, but the openers, The Broken West. They were more than happy to sign the poster, nice guys!
Enjoy!!

Please do NOT sell!
Share, but don't share in mp3, keep it lossless.

FOUNTAINS OF WAYNE
First Avenue
Minneapolis, MN
June 13, 2007
AUD MASTER

Sony ECM-DS70P mic> Sharp MD-MT90> ADS Instant Music> USB>
Nero Soundtrax> Wav> Direct Wave MP3 splitter> FLAC> rar

01. I've Got A Flair
02. No Better Place
03. Denise
04. Someone To Love
05. Fire In The Canyon
06. Hackensack
07. Hey Julie
08. Strapped For Cash
09. Yolanda Hayes
10. Mexican Wine
11. I-95
12. It Must Be Summer
13. Stacy's Mom
14. Radiation Vibe
15. Survival Car

Encore
16. Traffic And Weather
17. Red Dragon Tattoo
18. Leave The Biker

Encore 2
19. Half A Woman
20. Valley Winter Song
21. Sink To The Bottom

FOUNTAINS OF WAYNE- 2007-06-13 First Avenue, Mpls, MN Master FLAC. rar