dan black - san diego

terrific concert experience last night: we saw dan black perform at san diego club, the casbah. the club is fairly intimate, which ended up being perfect for both acts on the bill, dan black and the opener, samuel.

it wasn't unlike having a performance in your own basement, as the club had all of 60 people or so attending, and the stage (just a 2-foot raiser from the floor) was small enough to allow the audience to be as close as they wanted to be. surprisingly, those in attendance gave a respectful amount of space between them and the performers. (the same can't be said for some of the comments coming from the audience, as san diegans tried in vain to bring out their inner redneck.)

samuel: liked a really, really amped up lounge singer. he wasn't my purpose for going, but he had crazy energy that engaged the audience quickly. his was a big pop sound with plenty of electronic gimmickry to keep it unique and interesting.

dan black: as good as i expected. he ran through almost the entire album, UN, and the audience was with him all the way, most singing along, some getting all trippy dancey in front of the stage (okay). he has a bass player who knows how to ring the hell out of a cowbell (with a side splash on the solitary cymbal standing nearby). what i wasn't familiar with was the keypad thingy dan manipulated throughout the performance. it appeared to be more than a sampler...what is that thing?

both performers were incredibly approachable and gracious after their sets...autographs from both, though truth be told, i had to get samuel's autograph for the husband, as he was too shy to approach him himself. dan autographed my CD booklet that i carried in. he was a real sweetheart. if he swings by san diego again, i will definitely make my way to another show.

finally, the casbah in san diego has a great, friendly staff. nice folks all around. great night.