Southgate House

[xindeed]

Wasn't sure about making the 5 hr roundtrip to Cinci area for this show after the guy on the phone tells me that they expect the show to sell out and I can't buy a TICKET BY PHONE ON DAY OF SHOW. Oh well, **** it, let's go. We get into Newport,KY - which apparently used to be a seedy/cool neighborhood but now is al lights and fancy bars and young republicans getting drunk and eating expensive burgers. The Southgat House is very cool - an old mansion on a hill just past  across from the Newport Aquarium. I've seen a couple shows there in the past, but mostly old folky stuff like David Lindley and David Bromberg, but also caught the Adrian Belew Power Trio there couple months ago. It shocked the hell outta me to see a line comin out the door, down the stairs, and onto the sidewalk for Daniel. This was at 8:30. Well, we got tix and wandered around the place, choosing to avoid the couple opening acts that were mostly annoying. The 3rd "act" Matt Shelton (singer, saxes, strings)was good, and they came out later to back Daniel following his solo acoustic stuff. Daniel was incredible, particularly with the band backing him. So is he using a local band to back him for each show? That's pretty damned cool idea. He seemed to be in a good mood and even told a bad joke. My brain is half rotted from drugs and growing up in suburbia and so I cannot for the life of me remember the joke or the setlist. It appears from looking at other setlists that it was similar The crowd was appreciative and enthusiastic - the biggest crowd I've seen at the Southgate. Probably due in some part to the documentary (which I have yet to see). After the show my friend and I drove around in circles seeking shelter and even managed to get pulled over and breathalized in the process (passed - no ticket!!!). We finaly found a motel and Saturday was spent visiting ancient "Indian" mounds  and fossil hunting in south central ohio.

Danile Johnston and mystical artifacts from the past. A nice way to spend the weekend...

[Robb Cabe]

I went to the Southgate House show, and saw a great Daniel Johnston gig. Sound mix was good too, though a little ruff at the start.  If they were local musicians playing with him, I am very impressed! The Cello was a nice touch too. Of course Daniel got into his 'Zone' pretty quick, and brought the rest of the packed house there very nicely, and we all Gelled right into the Dan Jam!!. I had a great time. I brought my cousin, who had never heard of Daniel, and by the time we said good-bye  he left with 3 of Daniel's CD's. I'd bet 50 bucks on what ins in his CD player right now. Daniel was 'All That' in concert,  I'll be thinking about it for a long time. I did get a decent recording of the show with my recorder. . Came out pretty good, save for my big mouth in the mic sometimes. I'm still learning it. I'm so glad they didn't mind me recording. Now I can listen to it over and over. Hope he comes around again where I can see him. Really good show!! HAD A GREAT TIME! (I reapeat)