“Jacaranda, Shawn Phillips!” – was the headline I chose for my previous Noteworthy column. Seems ironic now, because: I was a big fan of Phillips when he surfaced in the early ‘70s, with that mystical voice and guitar effects, and thought-provoking words, but when he played McCabe’s last week he brought along eight electric guitars (and played every one, flipping them back and forth like a stoner not sure which dessert to linger over next) and a suitcase full of gadgets plugged into them. He told us he had never had such problems with the setup before, but even if it had worked perfectly, it sacrificed what I consider to be his special talents. I know, great artists don’t keep repeating themselves, but you can explore new territory without losing your way.
This show, well-received, was a classic example of the gamble that live music always is. I’ve seen Van Morrison half a dozen times and the performances ranged from disappointing to cosmic. You just never know. And so, you must go. You will miss out on every great show you considered, but decided against.
And, I was very excited to take in the double concerts by Jacaranda on Sunday. A superb program, with great artists. Bound to be memorable. But as I sat in my car ready to head over, I realized that the flare up of a painful hip malady left me too vulnerable at the moment. And — it was their final concert after a groundbreaking and consistently excellent 20 years of performances, most at our First Presbyterian Church downtown. (Great acoustics and sight lines.) The highest praise goes out to leader Patrick Scott, and his crew and musicians., in particular The Lyris Quartet. They will be missed.
Highly Recommended
Highway 1, USA/The Dwarf, LA Opera — Not La Traviata or Turandot so I can’t speak from the experience of having seen them, but while you are waiting for those two, in April and May, this should satisfy your soul for big voices, great acting, big sets and fine music. I can say this: in seven years of seeing almost everything our LA Opera has produced, I have never been disappointed. And this production has racked a few rave reviews. Sun 2 p.m., Wed 7:30 p.m., Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, LA, $24-259.
Hot Club of Los Angeles – You can go to the Cinema Bar any Monday, 9 – 11:30, for more than a decade now, and hear these hot players run through Django Reinhart-style ‘30s jazz. They should have copies of their new album Nova there for sale. Mon 9 p.m., Cinema Bar, Culver City, no cover.
Recommended
“Bob Marley: One Love” – I can recommend this based on the story it tells and the trailers I’ve seen, and the fact that none of my hardcore reggae friends has trashed it. But none have raved, either. It does cover only a small period in his short life, when he was most controversial in his home country of Jamaica, when it was going through an election noted for guns and violence. Attackers entered Marley’s home and tried to assassinate him and his family, and… well, you’ll have to see for yourself. Keeping in mind that Marley was one of the most popular performers the world has ever seen, and was considered a political and religious leader, even a prophet by many. Too bad our hometown Laemmle Theaters aren’t screening it, but AMC is, here and in Marina del Rey. Check schedules.
Toledo Diamond – Unique, riveting, first class act. There’s nothing like it, it is high performance art and great decadent fun. Degeneracy is rarely so well disciplined. Don’t. Miss. Toledo Diamond. Sun 9:30 p.m., Harvelle’s, Santa Monica, $12.
Coming Attractions: Terry Reid, Mccabe’s, 3/8; Christone “Kingfish’’ Ingram, Fonda Theatre, 3/9; It’s Only A Show, Ruskin Theatre, 3/9, 16, 23; Highway 1, USA/The Dwarf, LA Opera, Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, 3/9, 14, 17; Toledo Diamond, Harvelle’s, 3/10, 17, 24, 31; Hot Club of Los Angeles, Cinema Bar, 3/11, 18, 25; Southside Slim, Harvelle’s, 3/15; Philip Glass, Complete Etudes, Disney Hall, 3/20; Esa-Pekka Salonen, San Francisco Symphony, 3/22; Los Straightjackets, Mccabe’s, 3/24; Sleater-kinney, Wiltern, 3/28, Belasco, 3/29; Yo Yo Ma, Kathryn Scott, Disney Hall, 4/3; Springsteen, Kia Forum, 4/4, 7; Ethan Iverson Trio With Peter Erskine, Darek Oles, Sam First, 4/5; La Traviata, LA Opera, 4/6, 14, 18, 21, 24, 27; Saint-Saens, Organ Symphony, LA Phil, Disney Hall, 4/12, 13, 14; Mavis Staples 85th Bd, Youtube Theater, 4/18; Albert Lee, Mccabe’s, 4/19; Herbie Hancock, Disney Hall, 4/20; Academy of St. Martin in The Fields, The Soraya, 4/21; Rhiannon Giddens, Theatre At Ace Hotel, 4/25; Kraftwerk, Disney Hall, 5/21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30; John Mceuen, Mccabe’s, 5/24; Chris Stapleton, Hollywood Bowl, 6/26, 27; Rolling Stones, Sofi Stadium, 7/10, 13.
Charles Andrews has listened to a lot of music, including more than 3,000 live shows.