Unexpected Finds

Last night I went to 500 Songs for Kids at Smith's Olde Bar. Last year, I attended the show the first Saturday night and saw performances that were both awe-inspiring and tragically awful. Unfortunately, I forgot to note the names of the bands that really knocked my socks off (in particular the one that did Tied to the Whipping Post stands out in my mind even a year later), but I was determined not to make the same mistake this year. As I listened and danced and sang along, this time I noted on my Blackberry the handful of bands that were so impressive that I would definitely or even possibly seek them out to see them perform their own stuff. I came away from last night with five:

1. Tendaberry: Griftdrift has already written them up and there is not much to add. This is the one band from last night that absolutely blew my mind. I cannot wait to see them do their own stuff live. The lead guitarist is like the second coming of Jimi Hendrix in the body of Steve Urkel--there is no way to put into words how fantastically he can rock out.

2. Hardly Darlings: A lead singer with a rich and complex voice and pink hair is all I remember of this duo, but her rendition of These Boots Were Made for Walking was an early highlight. (Updated with a link, I had the name wrong!)

3. The Serenata Band: I think everyone in the room was a little apprehensive when we heard announced that the next song was Feliz Navidad. The band came out and started playing a very good version of the song, and then suddenly the piano player came alive and it became clear that the song was merely a vehicle to display his gargantuan talent. This was one of the moments that brought me chills. I can't tell from their website if he is a regular member or was a special guest, but the piano player was absolutely on fire during this performance.

4. Buckyhawg: Two Guns N Roses songs made it onto last night's set of 50 songs, and while the first (Welcome to the Jungle) was definitely a spirited and fun performance, the second (Sweet Child O' Mine) was just a little bit better. This was so good I had to stand up and dance for it. The lead singer had a dead solid perfect pitch Axl Rose.

5. Last Waltz Ensemble: one of the songs we most eagerly anticipated last night was The Band's "The Weight." This group did not disappoint, at all.

Honorable Mention definitely goes to a band named Galyan who did perhaps the most ironic performance of George Michael's "Faith" that I have ever seen. Imagine a guy who looks like your average watch repairman or guidance counselor singing "you know I guess it would be nice/ if I could touch your body..." Hilarious and really fun to watch. Thanks to the Atlanta Music Blog for posting highlights of each night's show and allowing me to find the correct spelling and webpage for several of these acts. They gots pictures--check it out!

My biggest disappointments were actually in 2 songs that I absolutely adore and that I felt like the performing artists didn't do justice by dramatically changing the song. In the first case, even though I understand the desire to strip away the cheesiness, the cheesiness is what makes me love it. In the second case, it's a song driven by lyrics and the lyrics were impossible to understand when half mumbled by an uncaring performance. Both will make up my next double whammy installment of Mood Music.

If I can get out of work before 7, I'm going back to Smith's tonight. (This time I brought jeans and a T-shirt with me so I can get there earlier!) Drivin n Cryin is performing Straight to Hell live and in person, and there are various other delights on the menu as well including the oh-so essential Devil Went Down to Georgia!

Last night, as they talked about how Cee-Lo, Arrested Development and others will be performing the final 100 songs on Friday and Saturday, I was so sad to be out of town this weekend. If you are a music lover and will be in the area, please take your opportunity to check it out. And if you decide to go, get there EARLY. Last year we were an hour early and we still arrived to a line out the door of the bar with no movement though we stood there for almost 45 minutes. Not a mistake I would repeat.