Favorite Concerts of 2008

Well, shockingly, I don’t have any concerts on the calendar for December 2008 (next up is Zappa Plays Zappa on Jan 2nd).  Of course, Sam Bond’s may book a jazz show that I don’t find out about until a week prior.  Eh, anyway, I’ve seen 42 concerts and 91* artists perform so far in 2008 (which is oddly considered a “slow year” for me).

Assuming no other shows pop up out of nowhere and blow me away, here are my favorite concerts for 2008:

1. Extreme & King’s X – Union Center Blvd Bash – Cincinnati, OH {10 Aug} [review with pictures]
2. Jude Christodal, opener: Ryan Andrew – Aladdin Theater – Portland, OR {6 June} [review with pictures]
3. Secret Chiefs 3 with Secret Chefs 3, Diminished Men – Doug Fir Lounge – Portland, OR {3 Aug} [review with pictures]
4. Sigur Rós with Parachutes – Arlene Schnitzer Hall – Portland, OR {6 Oct} [review with pictures]
5. Ornette Coleman – Arlene Schnitzer Hall/PDX Jazz Fest – Portland, OR {15 Feb} [review]
6. SFJazz Collective with Dave Douglas, Joe Lovano, Miguel Zenon and more focusing on the music of Wayne Shorter – Newmark Theatre/PDX Jazz Fest – Portland, OR {15 Feb} [review]
7. Ani DiFranco, openers: Animal Prufrock, Judy Grahn – McDonald Theatre – Eugene, OR {16 Apr} [review]
8. My Brightest Diamond with Clare & the Reasons – W.O.W. Hall – Eugene, OR {21 Nov} [review with pictures]
9. Nellie McKay, opener: Amorèe Lovell – Doug Fir Lounge – Portland, OR {15 Aug} [review with pictures]
10. Orange Tulip Conspiracy – Samurai Duck – Eugene, OR {17 Nov} [review with pictures]
11. Bill Frisell / Eyvind Kang / Rudy Royston – The John G. Shedd Institute for the Arts – Eugene, OR {7 June} [review with pictures]
12. Glen Phillips of Toad the Wet Sprocket with J.Kingham – W.O.W. Hall – Eugene, OR {21 Feb} [review]
13. Branford Marsalis and the Philharmonia Brasileira – The Hult Center – Eugene, OR {2 Oct} [review]
14. Medeski Martin & Wood – McDonald Theatre – Eugene, OR {15 Nov} [review with pictures]
15. Talkdemonic with Heavenly Oceans – Sam Bond’s Garage – Eugene, OR {9 Feb} [review]

Runners Up: God of Shamisen at Samurai Duck, EARTH at WOW Hall, Radiohead at White River Amphitheatre, Skerik’s McTuff & Skerik’s Maelstrom Trio at Sam Bond’s Garage, and Raquy and the Cavemen at Cozmic Pizza.

Shows I’m bummed I missed… Beck in Bend, Tegan & Sara in Salem and/or Portland, Sunn 0))) in Portland, Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey (twice) in Eugene, Glen Phillips in Portland, Chali 2Na & Ozomatli in Portland, Steven Bernstein’s Millenium Territory Orchestra at Seattle’s Earshot Jazz Fest, and next week’s Charlie Hunter in Portland (I wish it weren’t on a Monday). :( Oh well, maybe next year…

Of my concert photos this year, I think these are my faves (in no particular order):

• Jude Christodal
  
• Silhouetted Secret Chiefs 3
  
• Jason Schimmel & Timb Harris from Secret Chiefs 3
  
• Sunspot Doug Pinnick & Ty Tabor from King’s X
  
• Nuno Bettencourt from Extreme
  
• Nellie McKay
  
• Ninja, laser-eyes Lee Smith from God of Shamisen
  
• Jónsi Birgisson from Sigur Rós
  

I’m definitely looking forward to 2009… Dweezil Zappa & Co playing Frank’s music, trumpeter Jeremy Pelt, the SF Jazz Collective (with Dave Douglas & Joe Lovano), and Madeleine Peyroux are already on the calendar…

~Dan – np: John Zorn – Film Works XXII: The Last Supper

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*– This was also the first year in 11 years that I haven’t seen Over the Rhine.  I wish I was able to make it to their reunion show with Ric Hordinski, but alas, I shan’t be able to go.

Past Concert Fave Recap: 2007