BBQ and Music

Carrie and I had the best lunch of the summer at Iron Works BBQ late last week. Without having to drive to another county, or out to Driftwood, this is the best BBQ in the city. We had a hunk of brisket and pork ribs, their two best meat options, I think. Tender, with just enough fat for good flavor, and sides (beans and potato) that I actually like. While we were sitting on the patio overlooking Waller Creek, clouds blew in, the temps dropped (maybe even into the 80s), and it rained really hard for 25 minutes. Savoring the food, the Shiner Bock and the sudden change in weather felt like a little vacation right there in downtown Austin.

Two more Waterloo in-stores last week. First was Chip Taylor, and old guy still writing songs because he can do anything he wants. He can do anything he wants beacause way back in 1965 he wrote "Wild Thing," and those royalty checks keep rolling in. He did some pretty basic folkie stuff with a good band, and yes, they played "Wild Thing" at the end. Chip Taylor changed his name from Voigt, and is John Voigt's brother. Maybe you see a resemblance.
Los Lonely Boys played Thursday to a nearly packed room at the record store on Thursday. I expected a bigger crowd, and possibly not getting in because I arrived pretty late. They do rock when they play live, and they sounded great. I have their first CD, but don't feel compelled to buy another until they do something that breaks the mold of the SRV/Santana pop sound they stick so closely to. They are opening on an upcoming tour for Los Lobos, and could learn something from their elders about how to mix things up to sustain a career. That kind of talent should not be thought of as a one hit wonder.
After the Waterloo show, I immediately drove to Shady Grove, where James McMurtry was playing later that night. Gotta get there early if you want to get a seat because people start saving rows as soon as they can. We bring reading material and pass the time waiting with the best "plastic cup margaritas" in town. Different catagory , but very good nonetheless.
McMurtry did not play a lot of old stuff (really just Leveland and Too Long in the Wasteland), but even new stuff that I am unfamiliar with sounded good. He has so many good songs, and performs with such intensity, even at a laid back venue like this, that I cannot remember ever thinking he was not worth seeing.

See you back here tomorrow.

Peace,

js4