By Rube Ambler
Let’s just start by saying we were inspired to create this post this way by Paste Magazine’s Josh Jackson. Like Mr. Jackson we’re only going to list those shows where we can post some kind of YouTube video stream from the show.
We know from friends, and rumors, and the interwebs that there were many great shows that we missed this year, here in Atlanta and elsewhere. This list is (sorta) comprised only of shows where we got to be blown away in person (gotta read to the end to get that earlier parenthetical).
10. The Long Ryders at the EARL, 01/09
This was an impressive performance by a band that hadn’t been to town in 20 years.
9. Dead Confederate at the EARL, 3/27/09
Show courtesy of Stomp & Stammer. Video courtesy of Ohmpark.
8. Modern Skirts at 500 Songs for Kids (Smith’s Olde Bar), 5/14/09
500 Songs for Kids always delivers several great performances and for those in the know (not necessarily us) those performances usually don’t happen on the last night. We were lucky enough to see Athens’ power poppers Modern Skirts get old school with this one. Abbreviated clip…
7. Those Darlins at the Star Bar, 11/6/09
Not the best audio, but this clip does express the energy brought to the stage that night in November.
6. Today the Moon, Tomorrow the Sun at the Drunken Unicorn, 7/10/09
This superslick video almost doesn’t do justice to this band’s live energy. Check them out in 2010.
5. Wilco at Classic Center (Athens), 4/20/09
Playing classics like this one made the drive to Athens (and the otherwise uninspiring venue) more than worthwhile.
4. The Decemberists at the Tabernacle, 6/3/09
I don’t know if a video can really capture the theatre and power of this show, but here’s the best one I could find. Many more clips from this viewer at this show are on YouTube.
3. Blitzen Trapper at the EARL 10/ /09
In my view, the best thing you can say about a live performance is that you left a bigger fan than when you arrived. This show proved that principle.
Okay, these last two videos are not from the shows I actually attended this year. The first of the two (Judi Chicago) is not even the same venue (but the venue where we first saw them nonetheless – EAV’s 529). The dates and venues indicated below were where I saw my two my two favorite shows of the year.
2. Judi Chicago at Star Bar, 2/14/09
Wow, how cool is your girl when you say, “For Valentine’s Day, let’s go dance to Judi Chicago at Star Bar” (yes I speak in bold & italics, don’t you?) and she not only says yes, but tells you tomorrow morning what a great time she had? Let’s say it again. Wow.
1. Alejandro Escovedo at Eddie’s Attic, 4/15/09
I already ‘fessed up to the video not being from the show I attended, but even though this video is a year old, it is still a show I was at (oh yeah, best of oh-eight too). I wrote extensively (even for me) about this year’s performance. Read about what I think you missed right here. Thank you Al for being a gentleman and, in our world, an unparalleled superstar.
