SXSW

lack of access to a workable computer has delayed the postings, unfortunately. tuesday we got in late afternoon and got in some record shopping. we didn't start seeing folks until wednesday afternoon when we caught the last two songs by the waco brothers at yard dog. sally timms sat in for the last tune, sticking out her tongue at the bass player during the solo. after a meal at guero's we went to the parish bar to see charlie louvin. the country legend was in good form as he ran through new tunes from his most recent album as well as louvin brothers classics like "cash on the barrelhead" and "great atomic power." some snot-nosed punk writer in the chronicle dissed his set, but obviously the guy didn't know charlie's music and was back at the bar, not up close like us. we then went a couple of doors down and caught blackie and the rodeo kings, who are down to a threesome including canadian songwriter colin linden. they rocked the house, playing mostly acoustic and, at one point, playing unamplified out in the crowd. to this point, this was the best gig we'd seen. we then went over to central presbytarian church to catch a set by rosie thomas, who was quite charming and even a little giggly as she played songs from her new album, including a cover of fleetwood mac's "songbird" that came off well. the audience was attentive and supportive considering there were not many uptempo tunes in her set. after resting up quite nicely, we went to breakfast at the magnolia so caroline could indulge her favorite breakfast, the three alarm taco. we then headed over to jovita's a well known mexican restaurant out on 1st street, to catch the twangfest shows. we saw elizabeth cook, who was pretty good. did covers of the velvet underground's "sunday morning" as well as lone justice's "soap, soup and salvation." this was followed by an acoustic set by jim lauderdale, who was in a very good mood and told his usual round of funny stories and jokes as he went through his large catalog of songs, including "divide and conquer" and "whisper" as well as newer stuff from his "bluegrass" release. we also saw dolly varden and emma pollock from the delgados, who did not go over well with the twangfest crowd. we were puzzled as to why she was booked there as her music is not really country or rock. at 5:00 pm we got what we came for: los straitjackets featuring big sandy on vocals. they ran through a number of vintage rock and roll numbers sung in spanish, including "mother in law" and "good golly miss molly." there were also the usual instrumentals from los straightjackets including a long version of "tailspin." they rocked the house and apologized for not being up to snuff so early in the day, although they were the best thing we'd seen all day. after a gourmet dinner at the east side cafe, we went into town to see the norton records showcase at red 7. in a croweded, sweltering bar, we saw garage rockers the a-bones, as well as the classic cleveland band from the sixties, the alarm clocks, crank out vintage 60s rock and roll. they were followed by sam the sham, who was dressed in bright red with a big straw hat. his voice is still intact, although he only did about four songs, "little red riding hood," "wang dang do," "crossroads," and, following two songs by members of his band, who included charlie rich jr and speedy sparks, came back for the inevitable "wooly bully" with loud assistance from the crowd. we had intended to stay for reigning sound and mary weiss of the shangri-las, but the sweltering heat and drunken dancing fat boys, drove us out of the place back into the fresh air and home. more to report tomorrow, i hope, if the hotel computer is operational. we plan to catch the bloodshot party at yard dog, which includes the detroit cobras, graham parker, the waco brothers, and other guests. a long day, indeed.