The San Diego House of Blues is less of an armed camp than the Dallas version, so a more relaxed atmosphere is evident. Friendlier staff too, wonderful ambassadors for their sunny and warm city. Still dark as all get out inside however, can my eyes really be that bad? I have used this forum to discuss the rising cost of bad wine and although seven dollars is quite pricey for one glass, at least it was palatable. I assume that we have the current cost of gas to blame for this too. Someone has a lot to answer for.

Marc and co were schedule for the 9 to11 slot and they came in pretty close, at a start only ten minutes past nine, opening with “Live Out the String”, a great song to start a show with, upbeat and indicating that the evening will carry forward with gusto. The configuration on the 2008 summer edition is four piece, no girls allowed in the treehouse this time. Marc, Shane, Joe and Jon. We have seen these guys before, they were great then, they are great now. There seems to be a shared humour amongst them, evident that they too are enjoying themselves. This rolls out across the stage and an audience can feel it, adding to the general sense of well being for us.

So, the list:

Live out the String (and that’s how you play a guitar!)

Girl of Mysterious Sorrow (gorgeous, gorgeous)

Shane was then introduced as having worked with Lone Justice, Sting, Bruce….Feldman

The Calling

Rest for the Weary (a belated note of  the recent Fathers Day past, very poignant)

Dance Back (Marc noted that it took him a global calamity to write a song)

29 Ways (loved the ‘old’ version with the long audience sing-along but as old loves go, now replaced with this new one, more passionate and vibrant)

Listening to Levon (Marc told us to Google Levon). (Also anticipated that we would leave the show and sit all night at the computer for reference points)

After having told us of his admiration for the great Levon Helm and who he is in history, Marc came to the final introduction of the song by saying “So I wrote this great song”. Great was of course a slip, he knew it, we knew it and it was hilarious. It may indeed be a great song but coming from the songwriters own mouth is just a tad off. He himself said how embarrassed he was.

Saving the Best for Last (wonderful slice of story telling magic again, the cab driver having been to heaven and experienced many joys, would return to earth and choose to pass on this incredible story by issuing it as a “pamphlet”. Which he would only let you read, not even keep. And heaven does not have the big pearly gates, more doors like those of a K-Mart. Mesmerizing story which only further enhances this compelling song.

Old Soldier (dedicated to David Crosby, written for him. I have boundless affection for this song, rarely played so to have it this night makes it the jewel of the evening. Teary eyes, say no more.)

Walking in Memphis (as noted, “Another of my Great songs”.) Please read that with tongue in cheek.

Miles Away

Off

Back

Paper Walls

Silver Thunderbird (not one shout out request all night, for any song, v. unusual)

Witness

Off Again

True Companion

My Sanctuary

And out.

There was a meet and greet. New additions to the merchandise with tour posters and 8x10 glossies of Marc sitting on the red car. Great prices and once you have all the CD’s, its nice to have something else to have him sign.

The next day I went to Tijuana, but that is a whole ‘nother story.