btdr

Yes, this is not a typo for a title, but the amalgamation of the two entities in concert from last Friday. Starting with Thomas Dolby (known to most as that “She Blinded Me With Science” guy) and ending with BT (Brian Transneau… from Gaithersburg nonetheless) with a concert that stretched nearing 4.5 hours.

I had re-aquired a taste for Thomas Dolby when in college and my roommate, one Michael Herf, who incessantly grooved on his keyboard when he needed a brain break, had a few of the original albums (well, on CD anyways… I was the guy who had the turntable) along with some Erasure and others. I picked up the ‘Retrospectacle” ‘best of’ CD and probably listened to it for a month straight. I had listened to in on and off since then.

I had originally had a ticket for his first go-around this spring and didn’t go either due to overscheduling or sickness, I don’t remember which. However, my most annoying co-worker of the here and now pointed out that he was going to be at the Birchmere this past Friday, and with BT. So, I asked the wife if she was interested (I guess most of you can guess what her response was) and got my ticket. I left work a slight bit early (although we were left out early anyhow) and worked my way over. I ended up being the second person there but got out of my car later and was the sixth person in line.

I ended up chatting with a bunch of nice folks (especially out “Hyperactive” Leslie.. although in a different time and place, I think if given the chance I’d had asked her out on a date)… and got a spot at a table right in front of where TDR would be playing.

Summing up.. it was an awesome first set. I’m not a big fan of BT (and combined with an upset stomach, the second half of the concert was painful). I have a lot of respect for TDR and don’t think he’s a “one-hit wonder” in the popular sense. I’ve always been attracted to musical groundbreakers, and along with a pile of folks I have in my CD collection, TDR is one of them.

It was a one-man show for him, sequencing everything live and working over his gear and rack like a wizard. The stories were funny and entertaining. It inspired me to start dinking with my gear at home to see what I can make of it. I mean I have most of the same stuff, and Garage Band from Apple is a good start for messing around.

For those of you who didn’t go or aren’t acquainted with his music, use the URL included above of click here: http://www.thomasdolby.com/soleinhabitant/

Watch the podcasts… the live video mixing was neat.

A short one on BT… his set was in 5.1 surround sound (the first time I’ve ever heard it at a concert and I think the first time the Birchmere had done it). His highlight though was his encore song, a cover of “Mad World” (originally Tears for Fears, but covered by a Michael Somethingorother for “Donnie Darko”’s Soundtrack.. now a commercial jingle for an X-Box game).. which had live video mixing as well from shots from the film.