Brandi Carlile was back home Saturday night, fresh from a batch of European dates. And it was hard to pinpoint exactly what was most special about Maple Valley songbird’s homecoming show at Benaroya Hall with Seattle Symphony. Was it the opportunity to preview three new songs from the immensely talented singer-songwriter’s forthcoming third studio album? Was it hearing already breathtaking numbers “Follow” and “Turpentine,” given sweeping, new life by arrangements featuring the Symphony? Or was it just the opportunity to have that powerful, bell-clear soprano tugging at the ol’ heart strings again?

All of the above made Saturday’s show a truly memorable, emotional experience, one that a palpably elated Carlile declared a high point of her brief 27 years on this planet towards the end of the show. (And if you missed it, hopefully you’ll be able to get your hands on a related live album in the not too distant future, since Carlile said the show was being recorded.)

Joined by songwriting partners, Tim and Phil Hanseroth, and cello player Josh Neumann, Carlile kicked off the shorter, acoustic set on piano with “The Heartache Can Wait,” a Christmas-themed number found on the new “Hotel Café Presents Winter Songs” compilation. Then, as she took center stage, she ‘fessed to having a few butterflies on this momentous occasion.

“What a special show this is,” she said. “I’m not gonna lie, I’m nervous.”

The crowd erupted in support. And in contrast to what she’d said, Carlile was a portrait of poise and confidence, whether joking about the copious amount of kin folks in the audience or delivering a boot-stomping, totally unplugged take on “How These Days Grow Long,” done without the aid of even a microphone.

A few songs into the set, Carlile announced she was working on the follow up to last year’s excellent “The Story” album, a new collection that may feature a bunch of “reckless, barn-burner acoustic songs.” The first such selection was “Dreams,” a number that started out mellow and, well, dreamy before picking up with a rockin’ chorus. Two songs later, bass player Phil Hanseroth armed himself with a ukulele for the acoustic set’s final number, “Oh Dear,” the cue for one of the night’s funniest moments.

“Why don’t you bring out your little guitar?” some smart-aleck called out, a few rows from the stage.

The familiar heckler was immediately busted. “That was my brother!” a grinning Carlile exclaimed, pointing towards the perpetrator. “I know it was! And, Jay, be quiet.”

There was a short intermission before the band returned, this time plugged in and joined by drummer Daxx Nielson and the Seattle Symphony. Carlile kicked the latter part of the show off with “Sixty Years On,” a track by one of her favorite songwriters, Elton John, followed by the immaculate “Follow,” the song that made me fall in love with Carlile’s arresting voice in the first place.

The symphonic, electric set’s highlights included the pretty, yodel-infused “Have You Ever,” a rip-roarin’ romp through “My Song” and another unreleased track, “Pride and Joy.” But for my money, Carlile’s ballad “Turpentine” provided the show’s emotional peak, the melancholy tale of friendship lost turned triumphant as the crowd backed Carlile with a three-part, harmonic call and response.

“That was wonderful,” a visibly content Carlile commented on the crowd’s singing. “I’ll never forget what that sounded like.”

Brandi Carlile set list
Benaroya Hall, Seattle
Nov. 29, 2008

Acoustic set

The Heartache Can Wait
Throw It All Away
Someday Never Comes
Dying Day (new)
Dreams (new)
Cannonball
Oh Dear (new)

[Intermission]

Electric, symphonic set
Sixty Years On (Elton John)*
Follow*
What Can I Say
Have You Ever
Fall Apart Again*
Wasted
My Song
Turpentine*
Late Morning Lullaby
The Story*
Pride and Joy (new)*

Encore:
Hallelujah

* Backed by Seattle Symphony

Avoid spoilers by clicking here. Otherwise, here's yer Useless Trivia Tuesday answers, folks.

1. Though recording really began in 1994, this freakin’ thing is Guns’ first proper studio album in __17__ years.

2. Thanks to another one of those annoying exclusive sale deals, the only store where you can buy the blasted thing is …

D. Best Buy

3. Besides Axl, which current member of Guns N’ Roses was actually in the lineup that topped the charts before grunge hit big?

B. Dizzy Reed

4. Which of the following artists was not involved in the recording of the new album?

C. Queens of the Stone Age’s Josh Homme

5. The “Chinese Democracy” track that fans are probably most familiar with is this since Axl and company have played it as far back as the 2002 MTV Video Music Awards.

D. Madagascar

6. This track surfaced on the video game, Rock Band 2, leading us to believe the album might actually come out this year.

B. Shackler’s Revenge

7. This industrial flavored cut, which didn’t make it onto “Chinese Democracy,” was featured on the “Body of Lies” soundtrack.

A. Oh My God

8. This Rose homey has been the source of a few “Chinese Democracy” rumors, including the claim that its the first installment in a trilogy of new albums.

C. Sebastian Bach

9. After a no show and subsequent riot, the new Guns’ tour kicked off where?

A. In Tacoma (but you knew that, right? That Kurt Loder dude was even in the press box.)

10. Buckethead’s replacement is called …

D. Bumblefoot

With all sorts of relatives and homeys from back in the day returning to T-town for the holiday, Thanksgiving eve is one of the best nights for hittin' your favorite pub for brew or two. Magoo's, Top of Tacoma and the Parkway are just a few hot spots I'm betting will be packed tonight. And while they're great spots for catching up, you may want to take your out of town guest to check out some live entertainment once you're done flappin' yer gums.

And there are a couple of promising options. For starters, you can get your groove on at Masa with the Kim Archer Band starting at 9 tonight (details here.) Local fave Vicci Martinez will be rockin' the house over at Jazzbones some time after 8. Or if you prefer to pre-funk hip-hop style with a special pre-Thanksgiving installment of Fresh Blends, the venue's weekly rap show at Hell's Kitchen, which will feature performances by Evergreen One, Todd Sykes, Pioneers West and more.

I think that'll keep you busy. And happy Turkey Day, y'all.

And while we're on the topic of "Chinese Democracy," I'm guessing many of you have gotten your grubby little hands on a copy of the long-awaited album by now. Or, if not, maybe you've surfed over to Guns N' Roses My Space page to give it a listen. Either way, do you think it was worth the wait? Click this link to weigh in.

Sure, that Axl Rose is a big slacker. But, really, can I knock ‘im? I, too, have taken a long time to deliver – another Useless Trivia Tuesday, that is. And with Axl and company finally delivering a new Guns album, on sale today, can I let that guy show me up? I don’t think so. Check back tomorrow for answers.

The Chinese Democracy quiz

1. Though recording really began in 1994, this freakin’ thing is Guns’ first proper studio album in ____ years.

2. Thanks to another one of those annoying exclusive sale deals, the only store where you can buy the blasted thing is …

A. Walmart
B. Target
C. FYE
D. Best Buy

3. Besides Axl, which current member of Guns N’ Roses was actually in the lineup that topped the charts before grunge hit big?

A. Duff McKagan
B. Dizzy Reed
C. Matt Sorum
D. Slash

4. Which of the following artists was not involved in the recording of the new album?

A. Nine Inch Nails Robin Finck
B. The Replacements’ Tommy Stinson
C. Queens of the Stone Age’s Josh Homme
D. That Buckethead dude

5. The “Chinese Democracy” track that fans are probably most familiar with is this since Axl and company have played it as far back as the 2002 MTV Video Music Awards.

A. Chinese Democracy
B. Shackler’s Revenge
C. Prostitute
D. Madagascar

6. This track surfaced on the video game, Rock Band 2, leading us to believe the album might actually come out this year.

A. Chinese Democracy
B. Shackler’s Revenge
C. Prostitute
D. Madagascar

7. This industrial flavored cut, which didn’t make it onto “Chinese Democracy,” was featured on the “Body of Lies” soundtrack.

A. Oh My God
B. Punch You in the Face
C. Sometimes it Snows in April
D. Me, I’m Not

8. This Rose homey has been the source of a few “Chinese Democracy” rumors, including the claim that its the first installment in a trilogy of new albums.

A. Tommy Lee
B. Pauly Shore
C. Sebastian Bach
D. Ron Jeremy

9. After a no show and subsequent riot, the new Guns’ tour kicked off where?

A. In Tacoma
B. In Seattle
C. In San Francisco
D. In Boston

10. After Buckethead left the new G N' R, his replacement was …

A. Biscuit Head
B. Knuckletoes
C. Monkey Face
D. Bumblefoot

Was out last week, so just now getting last week's announcement that Star '86, the Jimi Hendrix tribute band that includes Pearl Jam's Mike McCready, has been added to a Dec. 9 benefit for Treehouse for Kids at the Tractor Tavern. The band joins Kim Virant, Star Anna and Kristen Ward. And not only do you get to feel all full of holiday cheer if you donate a toy to the cause, you get a get drink voucher.

The show will start at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $15, and you can buy 'em here.

Hey, it actually is coming out after all. All 14 tracks from the long-awaited album are posted on the band's MySpace page. Check 'em out, and then surf back and let me know what you think.

As many of you have read, legendary rock drummer Mitch Mitchell, best known for his work with the Jimi Hendrix Experience, died last week in Portland, just days after wrapping up his final Experience Hendrix tour there. So over the weekend I thought I'd post a few videos as a way of paying tribute to the man. Enjoy.

Well, Kurt Cobain made it. Ann Wilson, Chris Cornell, Eddie Vedder and Jerry Roslie, not so much. And all those guys are better singers than, say, Iggy Pop. (Sorry, Iggy, but we love you for reasons mostly unrelated to range and pitch.)

I’ve been listening to track a lot as my night winds down lately, then drifting into oblivion to “Corona Radiata” and “The Four of Us Are Dying,” the ambient tracks that follow it on Nails' "The Slip" album. Note to self: Consider Zoloft.

Actually, scratch that. In my attempt to stave off Seasonal Affective Disorder, I think I'll just listen to more of ...

There are acts you love for the risks they take and how their music evolves, i.e. Beck, Radiohead, TV on the Radio. AC/DC is not one of those. And the new album has enough sounds-kinda-like-you-shook-me-all-night-long moments to make you wanna crack a Foster's and party hearty like it's 1982. Whooooooooooh!!! No, really, it’s quite good, and I can’t wait to see these blokes at the Tacoma Dome on Nov. 30.

And also likely to perk ya right up ...

Jesse Hughes and Queens of the Stone Age’s Josh Homme are back with EODM, cramming all the awesomely cheesy '70s machismo they can muster into the raunchy dance party that is “Heart On.” “Wannabe in LA” and “High Voltage” are pretty tight, too, but this is easily the new disc's funniest cut for my money. (Huh huh! That dude's got tight pants.)

Football fans will get to preview a new Bruce Springsteen track Sunday, NBC announced this afternoon. Halftime coverage for Sunday's late game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Washington Redskins, which will air at 5:15 p.m. on Channel 5, will feature NFL highlights set to a studio version of a Springsteen cut called "Working on a Dream."

And the Boss's NFL cross-promotion doesn't end there: In September, the NFL announced he's the guy tapped to entertain at halftime during Super Bowl XLIII in Tampa on Feb. 1, which reduces the chance of wardrobe malfunctions and naughty Prince silhouettes to next to nil. But, hey, ya never know, y'all.

P.S. In case you missed it, Springsteen's homie showed up here recently.

I, too, have laughed at those "American Idol" episodes where they make fun of the most deluded pop wannabes at the beginning of the season. But they seem especially gross after today's news. You'll find the late Paula Goodspeed's audition clip here, and below is AP's story about the former contestant's body being found near "Idol" judge Paula Abdul's house:

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- A fan of Paula Abdul whose failed audition for ÒAmerican IdolÓ aired in season five was found dead in a car near the home of the pop star and judge she admired, authorities said Wednesday.

Police indicated that Paula Goodspeed, whose rendition of "Proud Mary" was roundly criticized by Simon Cowell and rejected by Abdul and Randy Jackson, had possibly committed suicide, said Ed Winter, assistant chief of the Los Angeles County Department of Coroner. An official cause of death had not been determined.

Authorities found Goodspeed's body Tuesday evening in a car that photos show bearing the vanity license plate "ABL LV" in a Los Angeles Lakers frame. Her parents had reported her missing hours earlier and expressed concern that she might hurt herself.

Los Angeles police spokeswoman Julianne Sohn says officers responded to a call about 6 p.m. Tuesday and arrived in the Sherman Oaks area to find the body.

"I am deeply shocked and saddened at what transpired yesterday," Abdul said in a statement released by her publicist, Jeff Ballard. "My heart and prayers go out to her family."

Goodspeed's audition was aired during the season that began in January 2006. She told the show's host, Ryan Seacrest, how she was a huge fan of Abdul and created life-size paintings of the singer and former Laker Girl; she also called Abdul "beautiful" after Cowell said he noticed a resemblance between Goodspeed and Abdul.

But Cowell also made light of Goodspeed's braces and bloggers trashed her appearance, which she noted in a MySpace posting months after the show aired.

"American Idol" producer Fremantle Media North America declined comment.

Ventura County Sheriff's Capt. Ross Bonfiglio said relatives hadn't seen the woman since about 11 p.m. on Monday and were concerned she might try to hurt herself. In June, the department checked on the woman at her home in Thousand Oaks after deputies received a tip from Los Angeles police that the woman might be at risk of self-harm, Bonfiglio said.

Associated Press writers Lynn Elber and Solvej Schou contributed to this story.

Note to self: Recruit four other guys, find matching outfits for boy band video. Oh, oh, wee, oh, oh. Oh, oh, wee, oh.

In case you missed the Merle Haggard news over the weekend, the country legend is battling lung cancer and has had surgery to remove cancerous tissue from his lungs. I learned about this after noting that the Emerald Queen Casino had pulled the plug on Haggard's Dec. 13 show.

"He called a couple of weeks ago and said he had to go to the hospital," EQ booking agent Bill Bollie told me. But Bollie says Haggard wants to make the date up, health permitting.

Lung cancer is nasty stuff, and it's what got my dad a few years ago. So let's wish the guy good luck and a speedy recovery.

I was just goofing off and thumbing through a promo copy of book called "Is It Just Me or Is Everything @#%@?" that Grand Central Publishing mailed our way. It's basically a snarky dictionary of stuff that hilariously cynical and mean-spirited authors Steve Lowe, Alan McArthur and Brendan Hay find insanely annoying. I know, why didn't any of us think of that? And lo and behold, what do I spy under "alt-country" but a hilarious Ryan Adams story I remember first reading about in a review a few years back.

Alt-country: Isn't hip-hop the real "alternative to country music? Regardless, here are some important facts about alt-country-singer-songwriter-whiny bastard Ryan Adams:

1. Add a B to the start of his name and you get "Bryan Adams."

2. Ryan Adams really hates this first fact.

At one gig in Nashville, an audience member satirically shouted for Bryan Adams's 1985 hit "Summer of '60." Ryan Adams singled out the offender and refused to paly another note until he left the venue. He even offered him $30 of his own money as a refund. IT's Bryan Adams I feel sorry for. No one should have to be associated with alt-country.

Hilarious! And the heckler due actually got his money back and went back in and watched the rest of Adams' show, if memory served me correctly.

Another thing I learned from this book, by the way, is that Diddy Day is officially recognized in Las Vegas. On May 14. And, yes, it's named after that guy.

Among the newly announced additions to Broadway Center's 2008-2009 season on Friday is a March 29 Pantages stop for country crooner K.D. Lang. Tickets are set at $68 to $119, and will go on sale to Broadway Center members beginning Wednesday (Nov. 12) and the general public on Dec. 1.

Check here for more details.

I recently got a wild hair, dropped 50 bucks on a ukulele over at Ted Brown Music and then dropped in on the Washington Association of South Sound Ukulele Players, a.k.a. WASSUP, a group of uke enthusiasts that meets the first and last Tuesdays every month at A Rhapsody in Bloom on Sixth Ave. Maybe you read about it in today's SoundLife section. You should also check out photog Janet Jensen's slide show, which you can find over here.

If you follow "Scrubs," chances are you're familiar with Ted's Band, those a capella-singing weirdos that show up at random to sing about Underdog and baby back ribs. (Mmmm. Babyback ribs. And if you're not familiar, what are you waiting for? Click the YouTube clip for a quick primer.)

Well, they're actually a bona fide band consisting of actor Sam Lloyd (Ted from the show), Philip McNiven, George Miserlis and Paul Perry. The quartet will appear at University of Puget Sound's Schneebeck Concert Hall on Sunday (Nov. 9) under their real world moniker, the Blanks. So recently, I caught up with the quirky foursome for a conference call that was about as goofy as you'd expect. Here are some highlights.

Pt. 1: Man! Philip's connection really sucks!

Pt. 2: Their big break and how "Superman's" lawyers nearly ruined it.

Pt. 3: So when's that next (possibly last) season of "Scrubs" gonna air, again?

That Tacoma Dome has been on Brad Paisley's 2009 tour itinerary for weeks. The country star, who just released a new album, "Play," will drop in on T-town on Feb. 28, in case you don't have the man's web site book marked. And this morning, Live Nation sent word about his opening acts, which will be rising star Dierks Bentley and newcomer Crystal Shawanda. Tickets will be $48.75 and go on sale at 10 a.m. on Nov. 15, according to Ticketmaster.

Brad Paisley, shown performing in Nashville on Oct. 30, will headline the Tacoma Dome on Feb. 28. They plays a mean guitar, as you know if you caught him his last couple of times in these parts, at White River Amphitheatre or the Puyallup Fair. And his new album, "Play," is a collection of riff heavy cuts and instrumentals.
CHRISTOPHER BERKLEY/AP

KMTT-FM (The Mountain, 103.7) has released details for its 14th annual Winter Warmth concert. This year it's set for Dec. 13 at the Paramount Theatre, and it'll star the Pretenders, Ingrid Michaelson, Matt Nathanson and special guests to be announced.

Tickets are $45 to $65, and proceeds will benefit First Place School, a nonprofit organization in Seattle that provides education and social services for children and their families while in transition. Buy tickets here.

During the course of this presidential campaign, Heart, Tom Petty and Jackson Browne are just a few rockers that have all publicly decried the use of their tunes by the McCain/Palin ticket. And now guess who's perturbed at the GOP's main man? Well, at least John Rich still wants to be his BFF.

Yesterday, AEG Live announced that the Nov. 11 show featuring Q-Tip and up-and-coming rappers, the Cool Kids, to Showbox SoDo has been canceled. No official reason was given, but in Portland the show is being moved from the Crystal Ballroom downtown to the smaller Hawthorne Theatre.

The South Sound Blues Association is hosting another fundraiser to send the Michal Miller Band and Son Jack Jr. to the 25th annual International Blues Challenge in Memphis next February. It'll go down on Saturday at Jazzbones, and here's the lineup:

Fundraiser lineup

7 p.m.: Son Jack Jr
7:45 p.m.: Red Hot Blues Sisters
8:45 p.m.: The Wright Brothers
9:45 p.m.: The Randy Oxford Band
10:45 p.m.: The Brown and Blues Band with Doug Skoog
11:45 p.m.: The Michal Miller Band

Plus, there will be special guest appearances by Maia Santell and Mariano Silver

There were break dancers battling in the beer garden during Chris Cornell's set Sunday night at Seattle's Showbox SoDo.

As if you needed anything else to underscore just how weird it is that the “Outshined” guy decided to bring sexy back. In case you haven't heard, Cornell teamed up with Justin Timberlake/Nelly Furtado/Pussycat Dolls producer Timbaland for his forthcoming solo album, “Scream,” performed in its entirety at the show. And it's a lot for some fans to process for sure.

Cornell going pop?

Crowd surfing replaced by b-boys battling at his shows?

Head ... spinning. World ... no longer ... makes sense.

Fans weren't as bent out of shape as I expected, actually. But there was a vocal minority for sure, as represented by the guy shouting "Chris, you suck!" directly to my left during parts of the show. And Timbaland, the artist formerly known as Tim Mosley, took a moment to acknowledge the controversy that's bubbling up through the rock blogosphere.

“I can fit myself in a fan’s shoes, so I can understand,” he said, adding “it’s 2008. That tired, same grunge sound needs a change." No disrespect to grungesters. A little later he contradicted that sentiment slightly as he and his band performed the hit that set off grunge mania, "Smells Like Teen Spirit." It's a tired cliche repeated by many a hip-hop band touring Seattle, but Tim's sythesizer-infused version was actually kind of interesting.

But I digress. Mosley went on to call “Scream” “one of the best pieces of work I’ve done in my life.”

And Cornell's new songs actually went over better than I expected. There were no cries of "Judas!" And it was actually a cool melding of subcultures, with aging gen-xers with grunge goatees bobbing their heads alongside KUBE fans in Wu-Tang tees. Welcome to the iPod Generation.

Regarding the new sound, it bridges the sweeping, cinematic rock of “You Know My Name,” Cornell's James Bond theme from a few years back, and the sort of synth and break beat-driven pop you’d expect from Timbaland.

For the record, I think the new record will be quite good, even if it causes conniption fits among Cornell's most reactionary fans. There were moments when Cornell sounded a bit too like Timbaland's One Republic buddies, and muddy sound left a bit to be desired, making it difficult to form a firm impression of the lyrics. But this much was clear: Cornell's honey drawl, one of the greatest rock voices of our generation, is totally suited for pop and R&B. Hell, if he'd grown up in Orlando instead of the hard rockin' Northwest, he might have been doing synchronized dance moves instead of banging his head in concert all along.

Four songs are available on iTunes already. I kind of like 'em, especially a hip-hop flavored cut called “Ground Zero.” But, hey, I’m a guy who grew up listening to Run DMC, Prince and Metallica, and I may not be typical of Cornell’s core demo.

But while disgruntled fans accuse Cornell of selling out, I think quite the opposite. If he were being cynical to cash in, he’d record a new album with 15 variations of “Black Hole Sun.”

I think what he's doing is a bold but baffling move. Is is part of some weird, mid-life crisis? Maybe. But the guy seems sincere and re-energized post-Audioslave.

I've tried to keep an open mind since I've talked to several artists over the years who felt confined by expectations to varying degrees. Take Ne-Yo who once told me he'd like to work with Faith Hill and write a few country cuts.

Besides, what’s the worst that could happen? If the new disc flops, so what? The guy's surely got plenty of money. And once he gets the pop bug out of his system, maybe he'll patch things up with his old Soundgarden band mates. Hmmm? Right? Right?

Speaking of Soundgarden, I was bummed that he didn't play any of his old band's hits like he did last fall at the Paramount. But he did throw a couple of bones to the old Temple of the Dog faithful with an encore that consisted of “Hunger Strike” and “Reach Down.”

Robert Trujillo, James Hetfield and Kirk Hammett rock out Saturday night at Portland's Rosegarden; a partial set list which all you diehard fans should be able to translate.
ERNEST A. JASMIN

Bizarre tour routing inspired me to go check out the new Metallica tour at Portland's Rosegarden last night, exactly one month before it drops in on KeyArena in Seattle. The band's new album "Death Magnetic," has been billed as a return to the veteran outfit's '80s thrash roots, and it was well-represented last night alongside classics like "One," "Master of Puppets," "Fight Fire With Fire" and "For Whom the Bell Tolls." Not so well represented? The hit or miss junk the band put out between the self-titled black album and the new disc. "St. Anger?" What's that? Front man James Hetfield even seemed to acknowledge fan's dissatisfaction with some of that stuff after his band launched into a quickly aborted but probably planned track from the mid '90s. (Forget which one.) "We did that on the 'Load' tour," Hetfield said. "Let's do something new."

The concert is in the round again ensuring great sight lines for just about everybody. Lots of stock arena rock spectacle was involved, including a big laser light show and towering blasts of tinted flames that nearly singed my eyebrows off up in row L. What, you were expecting something artsier? I may have a few more thoughts once I get back to Grit City.

Updated from an earlier version of this post. But check back later and I may get a wild hair and find some more photos and backstage quotes from my notes.

Bob Bennett, the drummer from the Sonics' classic lineup, lives in Hawaii, creating logistical problems for practicing with his old band mates and playing any of the reunion shows this year. But the guy was rumored to be making a cameo at last night's Halloween show at the Paramount; and lo and behold, there he was, one of the most idolized drummers in Northwest rock history, standing in the aisle and enjoying the action during the early portion of the Sonics set. A big thanks to Tacoma artist Teddy Haggarty, who was on site filming for a documentary, and who pointed Bennett out. Like most of you, I wouldn't have recognized him since all the photos I've seen are from 40 years ago. And now you all know what he looks like today, too.
ERNEST A. JASMIN

Bennett was onstage for the finale, publicly reuniting with band mates Rob Lind, Larry Parypa (right) and Jerry Roslie for the first time in 3 1/2 decades. The last time was a short set for a benefit show on that very stage; so even though it's a bit disappointing that the Sonics didn't choose its old Tacoma stomping grounds for their homecoming show, last night's setting still brought things full circle in a way. And the band did cater to the folks from Grit City who supported them 40 years ago, as when the Wailers' Kent Morrill joined the Sonics for his band's track from 1959, "Dirty Robber" -- billed as "a Tacoma song" and dedicated to all the T-town faithful.
The other special guest was the E Street Band's Little Steven Van Zandt (center in second photo, also of "Sopranos" fame, but you knew that) who helped out with "Have Love Will Travel" midway through the Sonics set and, in this photo, pitched in for a tough as leather version of "Louie Louie" and fan favorite, "The Witch," during the encore. He was instrumental in coaxing our boys out of retirement, and when I got a few seconds with him back stage, he referred to "flying them out" at some point to rehearse before the comeback tour was official. Van Zandt also hosts a garage rock radio show called Little Steven's Underground, and when I asked him about his enthusiasm for the Sonics he said, "Garage rock as we know it definitely began there in Tacoma with the Wailers, the Ventures and the Sonics." Hey, Tacoma may get treated like an ugly stepchild a lot of the time, but at least the people who know what they're talking about give Grit City the respect it deserves.
ERNEST A. JASMIN

Despite health problems that have slowed him down in recent years, Jerry Roslie (top) -- the most reclusive Sonic and the only one who still lives in Tacoma -- still has a decent howl. He really seemed to get loose towards the end of the set on "Strychnine." Larry Parypa (middle) staked his claim as a Northwest guitar god. And Roslie delivered a few hot solos of his own, also sharing a load of the vocal duties with Roslie and new bassist Don Wilhelm. I asked around, and Larry's bro, Andy, was apparently not on site, though he lives in Seattle.
ERNEST A. JASMIN

Speaking of bands representin' for the 2-5-3: "Oklahoma City can buy Seattle's Sonics, but they'll never buy Tacoma's Sonics," declared Girl Trouble front man Kurt Kendall, dressed in a dapper blazer for the occasion. Which he eventually lost, Iggy Pop-stye, of course. It was great seeing the Girl Trouble crew (also Bill "Kahuna" Henderson, second photo, Bon Henderson and Dale Philips) playing a bigger venue, even if it meant Kendall couldn't jump into the crowd as easily for his usual fits of go-go dancing. Speaking of which, he sang a song about Sylvia Eads, a.k.a. Granny Go Go, who used to dance with the band before she died in 1996. Her birthday was on Halloween and she would have been 98, he said. And the band finished with -- what else? -- "My Hometown," one of the greatest songs ever penned about T-town. And the night's free prize (a staple of Girl Trouble shows, if you didn't know): Twizzlers.
ERNEST A. JASMIN

I didn't know much about the first opening act, Kate Tucker & the Sons of Sweden, until the show. They made a good impression, though at first the Seattle outfit seemed and odd choice of opening act since Tucker's dreamy brand of pop is more akin to, say, Mazzy Star than the Sonics. Tucker's star is on the rise, and among her set's highlights was a lushly re-imagined "I'm on Fire," which the singer-songwriter told me backstage that she performed without knowing that Steven Van Zandt, the guy who played the guitar on Bruce Springsteen and the E Street band's original version, was on site. Tucker also mentioned that her version of the Springsteen hit, one of her favorite ballads, will be featured on a forthcoming love song compilation that will also feature cuts from Death Cab for Cutie and Portland's M. Ward.
ERNEST A. JASMIN

Just got back from a killer Sonics reunion gig at the Paramount Theatre. Jerry Roslie, sax player Rob Lind and new bassist Don Wilhelm split vocal duties, with Roslie really getting loose during "Strychnine." And Little Steven Van Zandt, the Wailers' Kent Morrill and drummer Bob Bennett made cameos. Bennett made the trip all the way from Hawaii to sit in with his old band for the first time in 3 1/2 decades (publicly, at least) during the encore. Could this mean he'll become more involved with future gigs? No disrespect to Ricky Lynn Johnson, who has been a solid replacement for the reunion concerts, if this show is any indication. But let's hope so. That guy's golden on those old recordings!

Before the headlining set, Wailers bassist and Sonics manager Buck Ormsby came out and read a letter from Eddie Vedder, who had planned to join the band for "Don't Believe in Christmas," a song Pearl Jam has performed in concert. But he couldn't make it because he's occupied with his newborn child, Ormsby read.

Anyway, I've got tons of photos and notes to post about the stage and the scene backstage. But meanwhile, here's a set list for you. Stay tuned:

The Sonics set list
The Paramount Theatre, Seattle
Oct. 31, 2008

He’s Waitin’
(Money) That’s What I Want
Cinderella
Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark
Boss Hoss
Keep on Knockin’
The Hustler
You’ve Got Your Head on Backwards
High Time
Have Love Will Travel (with Steven Van Zandt)
Werewolves of London
Strychnine
Lucille
Walkin’ the Dog
Don’t Believe in Christmas
(Night Time Is) The Right Time
Shot Down
Dirty Robber (with the Wailers’ Kent Morrill, dedicated to Tacoma fans)
Psycho

Encore:
Louie Louie (with Bob Bennett and Van Zandt)
The Witch (with Bob Bennett and Van Zandt)

Opening acts:
Kate Tucker & the Sons of Sweden and Tacoma’s own Girl Trouble