I never wanna turn the band down

photo credit: Paul Yacovone III

I could talk about Stephen Kellogg forever. He is my absolute favorite. I'm sure there will be many more posts about SK & the Sixers, but right now I just want to talk about their Live album they released last year. SK6 has played over 1000 shows together as a band. I've been to almost 80+ of them. Last spring, they were counting down (up?) to their 1000th show with the Road to 1000 tour. I was lucky enough to attend 998 (Boston), 999 (Burlington, VT) & 1000 (NYC). Me and 4 of my favorite sixers girls packed into my tiny Yaris hatchback and did a little road trip vacation on the most ridiculous route ever. Show #999 goes down in history as probably my favorite SK show EVER. Everything about it was amazing. The setlist was great. I was in great company. The emotion and energy from the guys was the most powerful I had ever seen. After 999, I wasn't really sure how 1000 was going to top it.....and unfortunately, it didn't. Now don't get me wrong, the show was amazing but I just couldn't stop thinking about the night before. Since I don't have a recording of 999, I will settle for the double disc "Live From The Heart" that they released a few months later. It's got some great photos and memories in the booklet and definitely worth waiting for the hard copy (which is only sold at shows btw).

So it starts off with Stephen solo and then he brings up the band members in the order in which they joined (Goose, Boots, Sam). I'm not a huge fan of live albums because something always sounds off. They did a pretty good job with this one though. They invited a bunch of guests (Josh Ritter, Marc Roberge, Serena Ryder, Chris Soucy) to join them on stage for a few songs. Some of the highlights: Now I'm Not So Lost with Old Man Souce. If you've seen the sixers live, I'm sure you've seen them do this song. They break out some of the best movie quotes in this version (Ricky Bobby, anyone??). Lonely in Columbus with Serena Ryder sounds amazing. It totally livens up the song when it's done as a duet....but it still sounds kind of haunting. I love it. Wagon Wheel is one of my favorite covers that they do. This version is a little slower than usual but still great. A 12 minute Milwaukee is definitely the apex of the show. It seriously showed how much they love each other up on stage. Stephen was so emotional (even more so at 999) during this part that it was hard not to tear up. I totally want a tattoo on my heart that says Goose too, by the way. So after that, some couple had to go and ruin it by getting engaged on stage before Diamond. Hopefully they're still together because it was recorded and people will be stuck listening to it for eternity. Then to end out the show, the guys went up to the balcony for an off-mic acoustic version of See You Later, See You Soon. It turned into a bit of a sing along, which I see nothing wrong with, until the girl next to you doesn't KNOW THE WORDS and SINGS VERY LOUDLY. I hope she can hear herself now because she sounds like a moron. I could also do without all the clapping at the end....

Overall, I was pleasantly surprised at how much I like the live record. Maybe if I wasn't at the show, I wouldn't like it as much, but I was and it's kinda fun to relive the night over and over again.

If you want a copy of Live From The Heart and can't get yourself to a show any time soon, let me know & I can pick one up for you.

Wagon Wheel