Lucero, with Cory Branan, at First Ave, Minneapolis (29 Oct 2016)
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Tour Dates
12/17/16 Memphis, TN Minglewood Hall
02/03/17 Knoxville, TN The Mill & Mine 02/06/17 Virginia Beach, VA Shaka’s Live 02/07/17 Wilmington, NC Throne Theatre 02/09/17 Jackson, MS Martin’s 02/10/17 Little Rock, AR Revolution Music 02/11/17 Dallas, TX The Rustic 02/12/17 El Paso, TX Tricky Falls 02/14/17 Phoenix, AZ Crescent Ballroom 02/15/17 Solana Beach, CA Belly Up Tavern 02/16/17 Los Angeles, CA Fonda Theatre 02/17/17 San Luis Obispo, CA Fremont Theatre 02/18/17 San Francisco, CA The Fillmore 02/20/17 Petaluma, CA Mystic Theatre 02/22/17 Portland, OR Hawthorne Theatre 02/23/17 Seattle, WA The Showbox 02/24/17 Missoula, MT Top Hat Lounge 02/25/17 Billings, MT Pub Station 02/28/17 Fargo, ND Sanctuary Events Center 03/01/17 Sioux Falls, SD Icon Lounge 03/02/17 Omaha, NE Waiting Room 03/03/17 Peoria, IL Limelight Eventplex 03/04/17 Lexington, KY Manchester Music Hall
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Cory Branan
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Opening up the show was Mississippi-born Cory Branan. It was just Branan and his acoustic guitar as he sang song about America like ‘Nightmare in America’ and ‘Tall Green Grass’ played early in his set.
A couple of cover songs, like Richard Thompson’s ‘Beeswing’ were played, but personally speaking, Branan’s original songs are just as good, if not better. Songs like ‘The Freefall’, ‘I Ain’t Gonna Go Back’ and ‘The Prettiest Waitress in Memphis’ told great little stories and gave us a glimpse of American life.
Near the end of his set, someone in the audience shouted out ‘She’s My Rock-N-Roll’, which Branan was more than happy to play for us. In fact, he said, “This is the dumbest song I’ve ever written! This is my ‘Louie Louie’.” Referring to The Kingsmen’s song of incredibly dum (yes without the b) lyrics, but backed with an incredibly catchy melody. Such is ‘She’s My Rock-N-Roll’, as the only lyrics is pretty much “she’s my rock-n-roll, she’s my yeah-yeah.”
Before the penultimate song ‘Survivor Blues’ was played, Branan told us that for the Bloodshot 20 Year Record cover album While No One Was Looking: Toasting 20 Years of Bloodshot Records, Chuck Regan covered his song. Regan’s version is so good that now it’s considered Regan’s song (kind of like how NIN had to pretty much give ‘Hurt’ to Johnny Cash). Branan joked, “Now I gotta cover my own f**** song!”
Branan ended his set with ‘A Girl Named GO’, playing fast and quick at the end (going 55 in a 45, going 80 in a 45) and almost destroyed his guitar to a violent end.
Lucero kicked off their set with ‘Went Looking For Warren Zevon’s Los Angeles’ to an incredibly pleased dedicated, die-hard Lucero fans. Although the song is taken from their latest album All a Man Should Do (ATO Records / MapleMusic), it felt like the rest of their set were basically a greatest hit, anniversary show.
I think if you were looking for a All a Man Should Do, you should have attended last year’s First Avenue’s show (2015).
Midway in their set, a fight broke up between two drunken fans. The band, and First Avenue staff, immediately jumped in and remove the two fans. The band continued right where they left off, as if nothing happened.
Lucero’s All a Man Should Do is out now on ATO Records / MapleMusic.
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Lucero at First Avenue, Minneapolis (29 October 2016) |
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