Home > Austin Music Source > Archives > 2009 > December > 21 > Entry
10 years of Austin music memories: Michael Corcoran
Our writers are sharing just some of their personal highlights as we look back at the first decade of the 2000s. Tell us yours in the comments section.
Robert Randolph and the Family Band during the 2003 ACL Music Festival. Photo by Larry Kolvoord AMERICAN-STATESMAN
1. The girl dancing onstage behind the drum riser was about 12 or 13, but she was using interpretive movement of a younger — or much older — person. Every once in a while the spotlight would catch her for a second, but mostly she danced in the shadows. It was the second and final night of the first Austin City Limits Music Festival in September 2002 and Robert Randolph and his band were slicing a hole in the sky big enough for 20,000 people to float away through. Well, I thought to myself, this ain’t Aquafest.
2. Most people forget that Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2001, was a big record release date. I was at home that morning working on a review of “Poet: A Tribute To Townes Van Zandt.” which would hit stores that day, and I was pretty proud of myself for writing that the heartfelt LP sounded as if it was recorded with Townes’ open casket in the studio. The artists didn’t choose the songs as much as the songs chose the artists. “White Freightliner Blues” fit Billy Joe Shaver like a blue work shirt and John Prine’s version of “Loretta” was as bold and vulnerable as dating a dead man’s wife. Man, I was on a roll. Then I heard on the radio that a second plane had crashed into the World Trade Center. Can this really be happening? It was years before I played “Poet” again.
3. The band that could be described as Etta James and the Stooges, the BellRays combined two of my favorite styles of music in a way that made the blood rush to my head. I had never heard of them before I saw them at Emo’s around 1999-2000, but by the end I swore I’d never see a better band at SXSW. In 2001 they came back to South-by, playing Room 710. I got there two bands early just so I’d be sure I got in, but I had to sit through a couple of lame sets. The band right before the BellRays sounded like just another Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, with amped up blues riffs and a screechy singer. I couldn’t wait for their set to end. Well, I believe they went on to bigger and better things, however. Heard of a band called the White Stripes?
Comments
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By grumpy
December 22, 2009 9:56 AM | Link to this
Three whole highlights in a decade? this is the typical cooler-than-thou tripe that exemplifies why Corky couldn’t successfully beg any ex-friends for a ride to the Austin Music Awards. My favorite memory of the decade is when this blowhard left town and went to Dallas.
By Sharon Chapman
December 22, 2009 10:41 AM | Link to this
Grumpy, I’m Michael’s editor and I tried to make it clear in the set up to these memories that these are just some of his highlights from the past 10 years. All of the writers who are sharing these are huge music fans — they could each come up with 20 or more from each year. (And I think you have the decade wrong on when Michael went to Dallas. Any musical highlights you’d like to share from 2000 to 2009?)
By stan
December 22, 2009 11:10 AM | Link to this
Grumpy, wow. Chill out a bit. It is clear the commentary is going to be added to, how could you not figure such a simple thing out?
By Daver
December 22, 2009 12:23 PM | Link to this
I think it was the 2003 ACL festival. Ben Harper took the stage near sundown on what had been a cloudy and rain-spotted afternoon. Harper and his fans unveiled their flags, lit their recreational drug of choice, and the sky cleared as the music soared. The sundown was absolutely gorgeous and a great backdrop for a stunning set, that grew to include G Love and Special Sauce, plus members of the Randolph Family Band. What a memory.for the thousands pressing that stage.
By hcf
December 22, 2009 12:36 PM | Link to this
I miss AquaFest!!!!!!!! It used to be a quaint festival that yielded seeing many great artist. Now it’s 2 festivals (ACL & SXSW) (that are spectacular) but are so over promoted & over priced that it is too much to deal with (IMHO).
By hcf
December 22, 2009 1:14 PM | Link to this
evidently not much happened. glad I didn’t miss anything. Oh yeah The Rolling Stones in Zilker Park…that was great, that’s about it. I’ve been let down by the rest. The last Arc Angel concert I saw Doyle Bramhall barely picked at the guitar & it was a big let down. I saw them in ‘99 on a reunion tour & Doyle tore up the guitar more than I have ever seen anyone do that. I think this decade was pretty lame as far as music goes. Hate to say.
By i keep clicking on this link
December 22, 2009 1:25 PM | Link to this
& there is only 1 or 2 lame post. maybe this shouldn’t be a featured story. someone needs to post more stuff. or get this off the top 5 links. just a thought.
By their must of been a lot of ecstacy
December 22, 2009 1:40 PM | Link to this
because no one remembers anything…except daverr
By baddecade
December 22, 2009 1:51 PM | Link to this
check 1 2 Is this thing on?
By Bobke
December 22, 2009 2:24 PM | Link to this
About what I would expect from someone who once described Led Zepplin as being “the last great blues band”
By i35vagabond
December 22, 2009 4:02 PM | Link to this
That’s it, only 3? I thought there would be at least 10 memories. I thought the page didn’t fully load on my computer until I read the comments. I’m glad I didn’t buy the paper in anticipation of this article. If I was a teacher I’d give Michael a D- for this story.
By Otto
December 22, 2009 5:54 PM | Link to this
The problem isn’t Corky. I see him at all of the shows and usually agree with him, much to my chagrin. The problem is the setup — 10 years and they limit Corky to three very small items. Should have titled this “A few tidbits from Corky” or something….
By Mike D.
December 23, 2009 8:52 AM | Link to this
He’s absolutely right about the Bell Rays, they are incredible live.