Thoughts on poverty, music and those weird-looking Padres uniforms.
By: Hank Kalet
I’ve just finished reading a book that should be required reading for everyone living in America. David Shipler’s "The Working Poor" offers a glimpse into the world that far too many Americans inhabit, a world of insecurity in which every mistake, whether larger or small, can be magnified by economics into a life-changing and life-threatening catastrophe.
I saw Wilco the other night at the Starland Ballroom in Sayreville. The band was tight I could not believe how much it reminded me of The Band. The show really fleshed out the last two albums, turning experimental quirks into expressive and explosive sound.
The set list (couresty of WilcoBase): Hell is Chrome; Handshake Drugs; In a Future Age; I Am Trying to Break Your Heart; Muzzle of Bees; A Shot in the Arm; At Least That’s What You Said; Jesus, Etc.; Theologians; Spiders (Kidsmoke); Forget the Flowers; Walken; Kingpin; Hummingbird; Encore 1: Airline to Heaven; I’m the Man Who Loves You; Monday; Encore 2: Heavy Metal Drummer; War on War; The Late Greats.
A great show from a great band.
What was with the Padres’ uniforms on Saturday night? They looked stained and far from professional not as bad as the Mets’ orange spring uniforms, but close.