I really wanted to get this recap done earlier, before all the memories trickled out of my brain, but, you know, there's that job I have to go to now, and the fact that I'm getting old and tired, so now it's four days later and I don't know how this is going to turn out. Probably short, and summary. But we shall see.

So! I got in pretty late from the Sacramento show (even though it did end before 10), but I woke up early as has become my habit (see, that work thing is messing with me). So I was already running on not much sleep by the time I started off for Santa Cruz to meet up with k1cup. The drive down through the mountains was absolutely lovely—I must say that as far as scenery for road-tripping, California beats the midwest hollow (sorry, midwest! I still love you though). And I listened to Camper Van Beethoven all the way down. It seemed appropriate.

I made a quick stop at a local yarn shop before heading to the Rio, where k1cup and her friend were firmly established at the head of the line (which consisted of two other people at that point). And then we waited. The gregarious theatre manager came out and chatted with us several times; and that was about the most exciting thing that happened during the wait (besides the yummy Thai food).

The doors finally opened and we started inside to claim the prime spots in the front row that we had earned by being first in line, but I was momentarily distracted by the presence of Dan Miller in the lobby. He promised us a longer show, and more horns, both of which I was pleased about. When we continued inside I realized I had forgotten to thank him for last night. (Hm, that came out sounding a little weird, didn't it? I'm sure it would have sounded even worse if I had actually said it to him. So perhaps best that I didn't.)

So, anyway. We waited some more. Oppenheimer came on. I enjoyed them again, but I still forgot to buy a CD later. The crew came out and started cleaning up and setting up, and while Iggy was adjusting a light that was sitting in front of us I asked him where the heads were (the William Allen White heads, which had been quite prominent the night before, as they had been mounted directly behind the guys and were about the same height. Man, those heads are big). The heads were nowhere to be seen, and Iggy denied all knowledge of them. We eventually figured out they must be behind the green velvet curtain covering the back of the stage, but I was quite mystified for a while. (I'm slow, okay? Leave me alone.)

The beginning of the show felt really similar to the previous night's show, although when I look at the two setlists I can see that they're actually quite different. Maybe they felt the same because They went through the songs one after another without much chat, cranking everything out. There was a momentary diversion when Linnell requested that Danny help him move his keyboard back into its usual parallel to the front of the stage position from the slight angle it had been placed at. And after She's an Angel (which still had that weird, slightly off-tempo sampley intro, although it was a bit shorter tonight) things got changed up a bit, with Meet James Ensor (with Flans on his pretty Martin) and then, astonishingly to me, It's Not My Birthday. I kinda love that song. And we had dimly heard them play it during soundcheck earlier in the day, but I never imagined they would perform it during the actual show, so that was a big thrill.

Dan was a little more playful tonight than at the previous show. I don't want to say it kinda seemed like he was just going through the motions the night before, but...well, that's kind of what I think. Anyway in Santa Cruz he was goofier, like when Flans called on him to do his Damn Good Times solo and he did this. Yeah, that's what I'm talking about.

Eleanor Roosevelt really does have Them on her speed dial, but she was still amusing. For a while, anyway; the bit went on far too long. I wouldn't have minded another song instead. Well, except for Older. Eleanor Roosevelt impersonator over Older any day of the week. Any day of the century, really.

Birdhouse, Guitar, Withered Hope—eeee! A threefer just for me, and then Flans with the enormo-drum for Whistling in the Dark. When he saw k1cup's friend with her hands over her ears, he obligingly came over and pounded it right over her head. (Which made me a horrible liar, because I had told her earlier that if he saw her putting her fingers in her ears he would bring her earplugs. I mean, is there anything farther away from earplugs than a bass drum?)

Dan went offstage during Mammal, then came back and put his slide on his finger for How Can I Sing Like a Girl? Holy crap, I've never seen him play slide guitar before! So that was pretty exciting. (Although it would have been doubly wonderful if they had done the song with 2 bridges as they sometimes used to do.) Band intros and then that song which must not be named. (No, not Older; the other song I hate.)

Hornstravaganza for the first encore! I guess actually we only got one more horn song than the previous night?—Ant. I feel like there was another one, though. It certainly seemed longer at the time. But I don't really remember now.

Finally Mr Tambourine Man (which I'd not seem them play before outside of a soundcheck), orchestrated by Flans, and Dr Worm to end the night.

So, a satisfying show overall, but honestly not the best I've seen. And I dunno whether it's that my recollection is dulled by the fact that I still haven't paid off my sleep deficit from last weekend, but perhaps those two shows (SC and Sac) were just a touch disappointing. I'm not saying they were bad—they definitely weren't. But I've gotten spoiled, because I never expect a TMBG show to be just "good"; they should be great.

Oh well. I guess inflated expectations are my problem, not theirs. It's not like I would rather not have gone! Especially since I got to see k1cup as well.

Now that I'm done being a killjoy, you can take a look at the pictures and setlist. Fillmore recap coming up! (Maybe tomorrow? Depends on how late I stay out with k1cup. :P )