Simon Townshend Show - San Ramon, CA

Quick Report on the Simon Townshend Show for San Ramon, CA at Maestro's.

I'd never been to the joint.  It was nice, just too far from anything. 
We took over an hour to get there from San Francisco.  Larger than a
bar, smaller than a big club.  Very good sound.
When we walked in, two guitar players were the opening act playing
obvious original tunes.  Very Neil Young like.   The club owner came on
at the end and announced that they were local lads playing for the first
time on stage, and they just turned 17.  I liked them better knowing
that fact.  One of them also said this was the best way to meet Simon's
brother.  "I got to shake Simon's brother's hand. It was really cool. I
think his name was Paul" Good sense of humor but alas Pete was not
there! 

Simon came on shortly after with the main floor full and most tables
filled in the back with patrons. 
He started out by himself for a couple of solo tunes and then brought
out Ben Townshend, his 18 year old son.
Ben looks like he is only 13 and almost looked scared to be on stage. 
Playing the tambourine, other percussion and backing up on vocals.  It 
was heart warming to see father and son on stage.  Too bad Simon forgot
words to his older songs and had to stop in the tune's middle sections
to remember the script. I have never seen that before. Ben is fun even
playing the floors with his hands "just like at home"

Most songs were off the new album "Among Us" which has an Elvis Costello
sound with the familiar Townshend voice. He did a great version of his
semi-hit "I'm The Answer" from his 1983 SWEET SOUND album.

Encore was a reprise of his new tune "The Way It Is" which is all in all
a good tune!

Simon talked a bit about each tune., giving the in site about brother
Pete, being 15 years older then he was and "not around much" when
growing up. "Not like brother Paul, who was, you know, around."  The
same sentiments as Pete's wife.

Very personal show with some good tunes.  No Pete, but you could tell,
this would not have been a place for Pete to be.  San Ramon? I don't
think so!
Check Simon's Band Web page.  He is a big surfer.

http://www.eden.com/stb/

Keith D. 
slip_kid@slip.net