Summer 1996--Maria Muldaur, Tyee Inn, Tumwater: The beloved Inn didn't have much time to live (it would be torn down in 1999) when I caught Muldaur onstage, and she sounded sensual and wonderful. I had originally missed her 1960s records with the Kweskin Jug Band and belatedly heard her two albums with ex-husband Geoff, getting her first solo album (I'll never forget the sale price...$3.33 in Austin) in 1973. Tonight, Maria used a backup trio whose funky, playful work recalled her finest outing, 1992's Louisiana Love Call. I brought the cover of Muldaur's 1980 LP Gospel Nights for her to sign; she was pleased that someone remembered it.
September 5, 1997--Wynonna, Washington State Fair, Puyallup: The Judds--Wynonna and Naomi was a great, bare bones six-song record from 1984 that hipped me to Naomi's daughter Wynonna's impressive singing. By 1992, she went solo and this was quite a show, seamlessly mixing country with gospel and R&B; I only recall one of the players, Willie Weeks on bass. It was a thrill to hear Wynonna sing the Judds' "Grandpa (Tell Me 'Bout the Good Old Days)," even more poignant because I held my daughter Emily, almost seven, in my arms when that song came up. She was asleep and we were under the stars.
August 28, 1998--The Austin Lounge Lizards, Capitol Theater, Olympia: The satirists from Texas brought a terrific night of humor to Olympia--the songs were sometimes hilarious and the musicianship was sweet. If you haven't heard it, The Lizards do a bluegrass version of Pink Dirge's "Brain Damage." They played "Teenage Immigrant Welfare Mothers on Drugs," not to mention "Jesus Loves Me (But He Can't Stand You)." The latter song would later find its way into the repertoire of Citizens Band, who has similar roots and opened the gig. The Oly group also performed "Dancing On the Ruins (of Multi-National Corporations)," written by the Pacific Northwest's Casey Neill.
Early 1999--Patty Larkin, Capitol Theater, Olympia: Olympia lost a great friend, Hali Panneton, in 2020 and she was my friend, too. HP had a second ticket for Patty Larkin, the outstanding singer-songwriter-guitarist. Not only was the music strong, but Larkin's rapport with the audience was exceptional, as she talked about Ruth Bader Ginsburg and feminism in her stage patter; Larkin also did her well-known Bette Davis impression.
May 7, 1999--Greg Brown, Capitol Theater, Olympia: The deep voiced, savvy vocalist and songwriter Greg Brown--best known for his A Prairie Home Companion radio appearances--has penned miraculous tunes and was in a bluesy groove tonight, aided by slide guitarist Bo Ramsey. It was a benefit for KAOS radio and happily for me, it was our first concert together for my new partner Gina and me, and we still have a beautiful thing going today.
September 17, 1999--Richard Thompson, Capitol Theater, Olympia: The fourth and possibly best R.T. show I've attended. Once again, Danny Thompson played bass, while Michael Jerome was on drums and son Teddy Thompson added much to the proceedings with his guitar work and vocals. Gina was really touched when father and son teamed for "A Heart Needs a Home" because she knew that Richard's ex-wife Linda (Teddy's mother) was on that duet track originally. The Capitol was filled though not packed, and yet the band communicated as if there was no tomorrow, performing most of the best of the recent album Mock Tudor. Even the lesser tunes from Tudor, like "Hard on Me," possessed a blasting authority. Superb.
See also: 1972-1974, 1975-1979, 1980-1981, 1982-1983, 1984-1987, 1988-1990, 1991-1995