Butch Walker in Chicago Set List, redux

Bibi is still processing the kick-ass show last night!

As you can see, feeling kind of shell-shocked by the whole incredible experience.  Butch did wow me--and the entire crowd!  Feeling a bit blue, thinking that now Bibi will have to wait for the tour Butch alluded to, maybe beginning in February of the new year.  At least, that will be when the album will come out.  Bibi has a tough time with waiting patiently for anything and now that she's realized the dream of seeing Butch live, well really, it will feel like an interminable sit in the bus station before she sees Butch again. 

Working on the set list; here's most of it:

ATL
Passed Your Place, Saw Your Car
Going Back Going Home
Pretty Melody
Dublin Crow
The Closest Thing
The Weight of Her
She Likes Hairbands
Race Cars and Goth Rock
Synthesizers (YES--he played mandolin!!!)
Summer of '89
3 Kids in Brooklyn
Sucker Punch

It was all Bibi could do to write halfway legibly--the paws, the paws--in the dark, too, jumping around, the drinks, singing, etc.  So will continue to work on this.  Amazingly, for Bibi, my opinion of some of the cuts increased dramatically upon hearing the selections live.  He also included a couple of new songs, sounded promising for the whole album.  (I know I left a couple of songs out--didn't get to write them down, but will get back to y'all with those.)  Butch is such a story teller.  A good amount of the joy engendered during the show IS Butch telling the back stories on the songs--such an endearing quality he has!  Funny, funny, funny, too!

Will say that Butch talked up his guitar ability, which is outstanding.  Will discuss this aspect of his presentation later/again.  He was truly impressive.  Hope to hear/enjoy this aspect of his talents even more on the upcoming tour.

BTW--although I tell everyone that Butch is NOT just another pretty face, DAMN, he was hot!  Not just Bibi--a huge number of us were swooning.  Couldn't get enough of looking at him.  And, of course, listening to him.

Love you, Butch!  Thanks again for bringing Bibi to Chicago!

Butch Walker ROCKS Chicago

He came, he sang, he conquered! 

Butch fucking Walker RULES!

Bibi is really tired--all that pent up emotion is out now--Bibi feels a bit like a deflated plush toy.  Don't know where that description came from, don't read too much into it.  A lot of that now-lacking energy Bibi had before the show at the Red Door was expended while jumping up and down, singing at full throttle, screaming on command (yeah, Butch can make his audience do anything), totally immersed in the talent, the beautiful, fabulous, glorious voice, and rockin' guitar work  Butch brought to his adoring fans tonight.  Part of Bibi's fatigue is probably due to finally taking a breath after a whirlwind visit to a greatly interesting and varied, beautiful city, as well.   But, clearly, most of this energy crash is due to finally getting to see Butch live, up close, in person.  Too sleepy now to rave on and on, in detail, WITH pictures, but Bibi promises, as soon as she gets settled back home, she will reveal all.

THANKS, Butch!  You were FANTASTIC!

Chicago, Chicago, while waiting for Butch Walker

A lot of the readers don't know, but Bibi is a total geek sometimes.  Sure, she's cool when it comes to music--here she is in Chicago just to see Butch Walker--the coolest, rocking-est musician currently working--and she's really got it going on with so many other facets of life, but put her in a new city with world class all-kinds-of-places and where does she go?  Well, in Chicago, she went straight from the hotel to the Frank Lloyd Wright prairie house exemplar, the Robie House, on the University of Chicago campus. 

Luckily, the guy in the museum shop let Bibi join the last tour group, already overbooked and in progress.  The docent (Mary) was very knowledgeable and Bibi had a quite enjoyable wallow in architecture culture.  That FLW was something.  But, it's Bibi and although it was getting dark, the field trip was definitely just beginning.  What else could she explore, discover, tour while on the campus of one of the premier American univerisities?  She wasn't sure how to get there, but persisted and found the nearby Oriental Institute and Museum, also on the U Chicago campus.  What a hidden treasure!  No set admission, $10 recommended and if you didn't have any cash, go ahead and enter anyway.  So what is this place, you ask?  I didn't get to really spend the time it merited, but it's all about Mesopotamia, the Hittites, Assyrians, Persians, Egyptians--what a collection!  Totally impressive, the colossal statues, the low key, accessible, down-homey way everthing was presented.  Loved it!  Here's their webpage:  http://oi.uchicago.edu/museum/  Be sure to check it out!  Here are a few photos:

Mesopotamian Lion

Egyptian cat mask (for a cat mummy)

Colossal statue of Tutankhamen

BTW--the new phone takes pretty good pictures, huh? 

So far, the trip has gone so smoothly, it's like "is this really a trip Bibi is taking?"  Paws crossed that it stays this way.  Just passing time waiting for Sunday night--doesn't seem possible that it's almost here!  Finally, Butch Walker LIVE, IN PERSON, ON STAGE !!! Fan question:  is Butch already in Chicago?  Think about it: Butch Walker in the same city as Bibi!!  Hope we get to hear some cuts from the new album and really hope there's going to be a tour in support of it.  Bibi on the road again (sigh, in a good way, though).

For now, plan to hit more of the sights tomorrow, including the (probably) overwhelming Art Institute of Chicago--omg, finally get to savor Un dimanche après-midi à l'Île de la Grande Jatte--and (maybe) the Magnificent Mile.  While I'm a very resourceful kitty, when the directions begin with, go north (south, east, west, doesn't matter), I sort of glaze over and it gets really iffy on whether or not I'll get to my anticipated destination.  Managed it tonight coming back from the Oriental Museum, but it was a bit surprizing.  Of course, it doesn't matter as long as I get to the show on Sunday, so it could be like some of my other trips--might not get to see the original objective, but often get to see/experience some really off the beaten track places.

And this time, I owe it all to Butch Walker.  Wouldn't even be in Chicago except for Butch's show, so THANKS, Butch!

See you really soon!

Butch Walker: Set List for December 30 and 31

Butch tweeted today that he was rehearsing the set list for the upcoming shows!!!!  Bon Scott scream here!  Such welcome, highly anticipated news!   Completely unsolicited, here are my suggestions:

Bodegas and Blood
Sweethearts--still think a duet with a lucky fan would be a great idea and huge crowd pleaser
Summer of '89
Synthesizers
Closest Thing
Sucker Punched
Maybe It's Just Me
Don't Move
Canyons
Hot Girls in Good Moods
Bethamphetamine
Ships in a Bottle
The Weight of Her
Ponce de Leon Ave.
Passed Your Place, Saw Your Car
She Likes Hair Bands
Say It Isn't So
Even the Losers

Not sure how long the show will be, one constraint limiting the number of songs to make the cut. However, AC/DC's set list was 18 songs, including the two encores and my more astute readers may note, the list above has 18 suggestions.  And, no, didn't include some of Butch's standards, like The Best Thing You Never Had, Joan, 3 Kids from Brooklyn, Pretty Melody.  Hope some of the new album will be heard and that would also cut down possibilities from my suggestions. We will see, but hope a good number of these make it.  Paws crossed!

The winter holidays for a university employee are such that it's tough to remember what day it is. Trying to stay current, though, since I leave for Chicago on Friday.  (another Bon Scott scream here!)  In some ways, though, there's a regularity to the daily activities.  Early in the holidays, breakfast at the House of Pies one day was enriched by T, the assistant manager, coming by to let me know he's really been enjoying the Butch Walker Mixtape II.2 that Bibi gave him a couple of weeks ago.  Makes a fan's work all worth it to hear those words.

Once Sarita got here on the 23rd, the holiday craziness faded into the background, where it belonged, and the holidays truly began for Bibi.  Bibi evinces a cynical, seen-it-all façade, 

but is actually a sentimental mess, especially with the Neartown events so recent.  Have even been unexpectedly indulgent toward families with rowdy children in restaurants!  Christmas Eve at Raul's and Christmas Day at Nana's were really enjoyable with all the kids around.  Nana's was particularly memorable--we played a few rounds of Loteria.  Bibi came out the big winner in the last round--so surprizing!

 Lots of fun and the kids were a big part of it, all the kids from age 4 to 85!  Hope your Christmas was a great one!

Butch Walker: Say It Isn't So and Drinking With Strangers in Paris

As the faithful know, Bibi LOVES Live From Daryl's House, Episode 54.  Episode 54



It brought about a seismic change in Bibi's already full life, introducing her to the great, the wonderful Butch Walker.  My favorite cut from that show is Say It Isn't So. Posted this so many times, here it is again.

 Once Bibi heard this, life changed!

I know set lists for performances are set in stone in advance of shows--at least that's how AC/DC and Bruce do it--but SO hope Butch will include it on December 30. 

Just so you get an even better taste of Episode 54, here's one of Bibi's other faves, Bodegas and Blood. 

Butch n Daryl's band rock it!

Of course, every song Butch does on the show is also one of my favorites:  Sweethearts, Mixtape, Closest Thing, Why Was It So Easy...so, there it is.  You may ask, what was the reason for this post?  While Bibi is not prepared to go into the existential why of blog posts at this time, today, the reason is that I had a chance to talk Butch up to someone who immediately got on the web to look Butch up!!!  So exciting when you get through to someone!!  Once I'd talked to D for awhile, thought, why don't I listen to Say It Isn't So and once I did that, well, slippery slope. Had to watch the other songs, too.  As a special treat (Bibi loves cat treats and this clip is a really great treat for you) here's the opening of Episode 54.  How Bibi met Butch the first time!!!!!!  You get a feel for Butch the person, what's important to him as an artist, a shortened form of what you would read in his book, Drinking With Strangers.  A very good read!  Plan to re-read it before the trip.  Why doesn't the book have an index?  Needs one.  AC/DC's Maximum Rock & Roll has one, although it could be better.

Introducing: Butch Walker


If you began reading these posts after my AC/DC phase, you (regrettably) don't know that during slow times within AC/DC's last tour, Bibi would fill in the gaps by blogging about individual AC/DC albums, songs, why they were great and should be in the rock pantheon of all time.  Wondered if I might do that about Butch Walker's music before December 30.  It's almost here (Bon Scott scream!) and even though Christmas is already exciting, knowing that I'll get to see Butch so soon, well, the excitement around Bibi is just palpable.  Feel like there's a slight buzz in the air around me, the sky is bluer, the air crisper.  Or maybe it's the cold front that came in last night, hard to distinguish.  Tough to concentrate on the day-to-day since I have the Chicago guidebook and see that the few days Bibi has up there are too short to fit everything in. 

Just so you know:  there will be no time for "hoping to spot Butch somewhere in Chicago" as occurred in Paris with AC/DC.  Bibi did enjoy meeting the fans outside AC/DC's hotel and Bibi was richly rewarded for sitting around in the bar, since I got to talk to Brian and Cliff--such sweeties--but really, Paris deserved more of Bibi out and about instead of hanging in a really expensive bar.  I read in one of Butch's tweets about an elite, pricey bar in Nashville.  Ha, ha, ha.  What a bunch of fiscal lightweights!  If they thought that place was rich for their (financial) blood, they would never be able to drink in Paris. 

Oh, and btw, the Ernest Hemingway house was sold this year to private owners. 

Bibi is checking now to see if visits are still allowed.  It could work out that I'll only get to take a picture of the residence and maybe think of a way to bring a dirt sample back to the ex.  Bit of a family story:  the ex always wanted to visit Graceland; Elvis was his hero.  The only time his family went to Memphis, though, Graceland was closed for the day.  So, the ex gathered some dirt from the property and kept it for years.  That is now lost to the ages, so I thought I would bring some dirt back from the Hemingway (also one of his heroes) house for him.  Bibi's thoughtful like that.

We'll see.

Butch Walker and Catching Up for the Holidays

Just heard from an old friend across campus; she asked Bibi what she had been doing lately.  In the recent past, anyone who asked Bibi about her life, they got a version of this:

In August I discovered a singer/songwriter/musician, Butch Walker and now blog about him, talk about him on fb, going to see his show in Chicago on December 30--in the same neighborhood as the largest concentration of Frank Lloyd Wright houses in the US and the birthplace, boyhood home of Ernest Hemingway. If it hadn't been for Butch Walker, Bibi would never have gotten a chance to do this!!! 

Here’s a recent picture of Butch, although, really, he’s not just a pretty face:

Fabulous, beautiful voice, talented musician, successful record producer (Weezer, Fall Out Boy, Avril Lavigne, Pink (his close friend), Gin Wigmore—Butch co-wrote A Man Like That with her, now the video for Heineken/the new Bond movie, Taylor Swift). I know, I know:  recognize these names, but have never listened to their music and realize I probably won't get to them.  (In a previous post, I alluded to Bibi's very full daily schedule.)

He’s all over the web, in a very good way; an excellent showcase for him is Live From Daryl’s House, episode 54. He sings a few songs from his latest album (The Spade) with Daryl Hall (yes, from Hall and Oates). AND, he sings Say It Isn't So with Daryl--a version that is SO beautiful, SO Butch, and yet, such a great collaboration with Daryl.  Well.  This is where I first saw Butch and fell completely in love, totally enthralled, besotted, beguiled.  Also, if you want to see his videos, try the YouTube video for Mixtape, Here Comes the…, Summer of ’89, Synthesizers (two versions—one on the David Letterman show (excellent) and the YouTube video with Matthew McConaughey (Butch is the bartender).  I've put together a few mixtape cds of Butch's stuff from four of his albums:  The Rise and Fall of Butch Walker and the Let's-Go-Out-Tonites, Letters, Sycamore Meadows, and The Spade, so let me know if you want one.  Each album has a different feel and sound to it: amazing!  He rocks, he croons, and all in between, he can do it all, believe me! 

I usually end with some personalized questions--how's it going for you at work,  how are the kids, how about those___ (fill in the name of the person's football/baseball/soccer team preference, as appropriate).
Since they know me, it doesn't throw them off, really, but I guess they do wonder how Bibi does it all.  lol

This usually fires Bibi up about Butch, how great his music is, etc.  And it worked again this time.  Think I'll take a few moments and watch Say It Isn't So. 

Thanks, Butch!  See you in two weeks!

Butch Walker: December 30, Double Door in Chicago

Bibi is just quivering in antici-----pation about the upcoming show!  Think about it: only 2 weeks and I FINALLY will get to see Butch Walker in person, on stage, total fan heaven!  Sure, have to get through the pre-Christmas craziness (for Bibi, the shopping is DONE, c'est fini, over with, finished, nada mas, forget about it, anybody else gets a lotto ticket, period), the Christmas tree is almost a work of art, but it's a work of art in progress until December 24 when SARITA GETS HERE!!!!  This year's tree is huge--at least 2 1/2 feet taller than last year.  It's kind of funny.  Putting the same number of ornaments on the tree as I usually do and the tree looks pretty full, so I wonder how I managed to put all those ornaments on a much smaller tree in the past.  Picking up around the house also a WIP, including updating the curtains in the dining room and my room.  Should go smoothly enough (tip to readers to help you transcend and actually enjoy these necessary, but sometimes tiresome holiday tasks:  listen to Butch Walker music for the relaxing and life enhancing Butch Walker Ameliorative Effect to work its magic.  Has worked for me several times in the recent past, don't see why it won't be a major positive factor now.)  Dentist visit on Wednesday, commencement on Friday and a Winter Solstice party with Stitch n Bitch crowd, visit Jimmy on Saturday--the wreath is ready and I have the ornament for the cemetery tree ready--start baking ginger cookies on the 23rd, wrap 2-3 presents and write 2-3 Christmas cards each day, should all fall into place.  OK, the Christmas cards are a bit later than hoped, but, hey.  Everyone should get their card around December 25.   Thought I could encourage myself on these two areas by making hot chocolate each evening after dinner to sweeten the deal, so to speak. 

Went over the fam's earlier today for homemade menudo--it was EXCELLENT--Nana has not lost her touch and Abel, Lydia (Nana's neighbor) and I decorated the tree.  Abel is such a sweet, cute little kid and he was so happy to be allowed to help us. 

Made me think about the children in Connecticut.  So, so sad.  True to his just-like-you-and-me attitude, Butch has tweeted his shock and disbelief; has been very affected by this unfathomable event.  Bibi was so happy to see a picture of his little boy and Frank the dog on his blog.  Butch seemed very happy, too.

It's that time of year:  thinking about family, loved ones close by, loved ones far away in distance, maybe due to issues from the past.  Maybe we can cover those distances during the upcoming holidays.  Hope the terrible recent events can give us reason to consider how important others are to and for us and maybe, maybe we can grab hold of each other and hold on tight for as long as we can.