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Sunday, August 10, 2008
Live review: Steve Jordan tribute
Steve “Esteban” Jordan and his three sons (two named Steve) were scheduled to play only 20 minutes at the tribute concert in the accordion wizard’s honor Sunday at the H&H Ballroom. After all, the 69-year-old Jordan had been undergoing chemotherapy for liver cancer and has been in frail health in recent months.
It was supposed to be a day of proclaimations, like the one from State Senator Gonzalo Barrientos, signed by Gov. Rick Perry, that acknowleged Jordan’s incredible contributions to Texas music. It was Latinopalooza, with such greats as Little Joe Hernandez, Ernie Garibay, Rudy T Gonzales, Dimas Garza, Max Baca and the Texmaniacs and many more showing that Spanish music in Texas is not just Tejano and conjunto, but Chicano soul and blues and doowop and a touch of country. Nobody expected Jordan’s Rio Jordan to make more than a token appearance.
But “El Parche” played 45 minutes and would’ve gone on longer if the house lights hadn’t gone up almost two hours after the advertised 8 p.m. ending time. With the remaining crowd of about 200 (attendance peaked at about 450) pushed all the way in front of the stage, cheering every jazzy accordion tangent and the four-part harmony of “El Jardinero,” Jordan was unmistakably re-energized. He seemed to get stronger as the set wore on, even joining in on a spirited percussion jam on “Volver Volver.”
But the real kick came early in the set when Little Joe Hernandez came out to duet with Jordan, who’d been complaining about monitor problems for the first two songs. Putting the testy Jordan at ease with his comical asides, Little Joe harmonized on “El Gaucho,” then kissed the man of honor and left the stage. But Jordan got him bounding back up by spontaneously launching into “Las Nubes,” one of Hernandez’ biggest hits.
Jordan has played better; none of his solos were of the head-slapping type. His voice lost its pierce, except on a couple of yelps. But the set was without the padding one usually finds at a Jordan show. No “Spinning Wheel,” in other words. No “My Toot- Toot.” Jordan was feeding off pride- his own and that of the beaming audience that couldn’t possibly have wished to be anywhere else.
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Waterloo Records top 10 for the week ending Aug. 10
Conor Oberst, ‘s/t (Merge)
Beck, ‘Modern Guilt (Universal)
Alejandro Escovedo, “Real Animal” (Back Porch)
Grupo Fantasma, “Sonidos Gold” (High Wire Music)
Willie Nelson & Wynton Marsalis, ‘Two Men WIth the Blues,’ (Blue Note)
Fleet Foxes, “Fleet Foxes” (Sub Pop)
My Morning Jacket. “Evil Urges” (ATO)
Coldplay, “Viva La Vida” (EMI)
The Faint, ‘Fasciinatiion’ (blank.wav)
Carrie Rodriguez, ‘She’s Not Me’ (Back Porch)
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This week in the clubs
Monday: The Faint, Jaguar Love at La Zona Rosa. The Faint drops 80s inspired dance rock from Omaha, Nebraska while L.A.’s Jaguar Love brings together a frenetic mash of former members of Blood Brothers and Pretty Girls Make Graves. $28-$30
Monday: Faint Afterparty at the Beauty Bar. Want to get your New Wave groove on without shelling out $30? Depressed Buttons (featuring members of The Faint) will drop a DJ set down at the official Faint afterparty at the Beauty Bar. $3
Tuesday: Lyle Lovett at the Long Center. One of Austin’s favorite musical bards, proud Texan Lovett, takes the stage at Austin’s newest high end concert hall supporting his 2007 release, ‘It’s Not Big It’s Large.’ $38.50-$75
Tuesday: 17th Annual Buck Owens Birthday Bash at the Continental Club. A whole host of Austin’s top honky tonkers gather to celebrate the legacy of Bakerfield’s favorite son. This event benefits Travis County’s Center for Child Protection. $15
Tuesday: Smoking Popes at the Mohawk. This pop-punk sibling outfit from Chicago had a good run in the 90s before crooning lead singer Josh Caterer became immersed in Christianity and parted ways with the band. A couple years back the band decided to give it another go, bringing back all three of the Caterer brothers with a new touring drummer. Koufax and Masonic open. $10
Wednesday: Toots and the Maytals at Antone’s. One of reggae music’s originators, Toots and the Maytals have been actively been spreading their gospel harmonnies and irie riddims around the globe for four decades. Expect a packed house of eclectic reggae enthusiasts young and old at this Antone’s gig. $20
Wednesday: Yndi Halda at the Mohawk. This UK band weaves cinematic instrumentals with the atmospheric sensibility of modern classical musicians. With My Education, The Non at the Mohawk.
Thursday: Madonna 50th Birthday Sing-Along at the Mohawk. Somewhat embarrassing recent dry-humping of Justin Timberlake aside, her Madge-esty, the original “Material Girl” has managed to remain a relevant force on the internaimusic scene for a good two and a half decades. So why not celebrate in song as she crosses the half-century mark? Lace gloves and jelly bracelets highly encouraged. Photos: Madonna through the years
Also playing this week
Wednesday: Melissa Etheridge at the Paramount
Thursday: Danny Malone, Dana Falconberry, Pink Nasty
Thursday: La Snacks, Hollywood Gossip at Emo’s
(Pictured: The Faint, photo by Deborah Cannon AMERICAN-STATESMAN)
