CONCRETE BLONDE ATLANTA 2003.... best show ever. 8 April, Variety Playhouse (btw... BUY 2 brand new indie releases by Johnette Napolitano and Jim Mankey now! BUY Johnette Napolitano's "Scrapbook" CD BUY Jim Mankey's "JAM" CD PLEASE EXCUSE THIS SHAMELESS TEXTUAL SHRINE. Broken-record "mode" or not... whenever a music fan has the opportunity to see their fav... it's magic. Now, I think it's two-way. Last night the adoration was reciprocal. To the dismay of 'Blonde fans everywhere, I decided not to do the whole camera smuggle thing this time 'round... sorry.... but what a great fricken show! (last year's pics) Be sure to catch this leg of the tour... of the 6 times or so I've seen them, this was the height. There have been bigger audiences, but none better... best since "Walking in London Tour" Orlando '93. :-D THE TWINEMEN OPEN THE SHOW. The dissident Twinemen opened the show. After their set, it'd be really difficult to realize anyone else ever opening for the 'Blonde. Recently-formed, the Twinemen are a blend of surviving members of Morphine and (admittedly cute) Laurie Sargent on lead vox. The haunting swing and groove of Morphine resound in this new incarnation. Smoky, twin horns, and a bassline that just keeps it on the level. CONCRETE APPEAL. From that chance show I caught in the late 80s of an eccentric Hollywood punk' n stroll band at desert venue... Eternally captivated, whether by power to speak, ability to humble, to honestly share... and passion to make a hellacious noise. An underground voice of beauty and brood, the visual appeal forever excels. 10 ATLANTA HIGHLIGHTS. Pine. Reading back... m'sappiness draws a starry-eyed picture instead of journalistic storyline, so I'll be short (have no choice). God is a Bullet... opened. The original lure for me. Martin!... geeky music thing, but Jim and Johnette both jammed on a Martin!!!! heh Eccentric Groove... as always the energy... eccentric, sometimes asian, often latin, but always blue. Lullabye Girls... 2 lil ones took stage. Appearent the lullabye's been a reality. Through melting tears, children taught the creator unsuspected relevance. The SingaLong... dedication to material. Joey Slam... catch the tour... Joey slams near the end more raucous than Still In Hollywood ever was. Pogo. Jim Mankey pretty much rules... continues to tingle m'ear in only ways he and The Cure know. Diversity from the previous tour... last tour was an impetuous delivery. A defiant return to the world... equal energy, this tour embraces as it opposes. Class and clammer. Testimony... everyone I spoke bore a similar story of attachment that exceeded music appreciation. (so there.) KK... she flew in from Florida to share the show with me. NEW INDIE RELEASES Want new Concrete Blonde music? Beyond the new LiveInBrazil, which you can buy virtually anywhere... support both Johnette and Jim's new independent CD releases. I have them on-order.Bust out the plastic and link below: BUY Johnette Napolitano's "Scrapbook" CD BUY Jim Mankey's "JAM" CD now! Dunno how long these will last. btw... 1. Join the RockSexParty Newsletter to find out when they re-release the Dream 6 material very soon. (this was Johnette's band before the 'Blonde was formed) 2. Keep up with the latest 'Blonde stuff on Dean's original fan site: blonde.vox.org ... he's kept us abreast thru the "lean years". Thank you again & peace- seanrox