Category: Music

Happy 90th Birthday, Willie Nelson

Willie Nelson is, in part, responsible for The Midnight Cafe. At least the name I chose for this blog. In college, me and some friends used to hang out in my buddy Matt’s dorm room late at night. We’d stay up late listening to music, playing poker, eating terrible and cheap food, and talking.

Matt was always the joker. He was one of those guys who thought it was funny to answer the phone with a dumb gag. One night we were having some sandwiches and chips and the like and the phone rang. “Welcome to the Midnight Cafe” he answered, “what can I get you?” The name stuck and that group of friends from then on became The Midnight Cafe. When I was deciding on a name for this blog it only seemed natural to call it The Midnight Cafe. And here we are.

Willie was in regular rotation at the Cafe, and on some nights, when most of our friends had called it a night, Matt would light some candles and put on “Stardust.” We’d sit up into the wee hours talking about life, God, and girls. Mostly girls. Mostly girls who had recently broken our hearts.

Though we’ve gone our own ways, and somewhat drifted apart, I’m still friends with those guys. And Willie Nelson will always have a special place in my heart.

So happy birthday, Willie. Here’s to 90 more years of life and music and friends.

Watch Wet Leg Perform “Ur Mum” at Coachella, 2023

Generally speaking, I hate algorithms on Youtube and music sites and the like. They tend to rotate in the exact same things over and over sending you into a insipid spiral of conformity. But every now and again they will produce something wonderful.

I’d never heard of Wet Leg before today. I turned on Youtube looking for something fun to post and randomly clicked on this video of them performing at Coachella. I was instantly mesmerized. This band has something special. I’ve since listened to several more songs and am really digging them.

Check it out.

Listen To Bob Dylan Perform The Grateful Dead’s “Brokedown Palace” in Tokyo

Dylan is obviously a fan of the Grateful Dead. He toured with them in 1987 and he’s played together with various members several times. Robert Hunter co-wrote a couple of songs with him, etc., etc.

The other night he covered “Truckin‘” in Tokyo and now he’s performed “Brokedown Palace at least a couple of times. Neither version sounds particularly well rehearsed and they drift off before the song ends. But there is something there that’s magic. I hope he does spend a little time rehearsing it (and learning all the words) so that they can perform it properly sometime soon. It would make a pretty little addition to his set.

The great Ray Padgett posted both clips on his Twitter page.