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LIVE!

I just experienced a beautiful bit of spontaneity -- complete with acoustic guitar and vocals by a fedora-clad guy who looks like a cross between Jake Gyllenhaal and Adam Carolla.

Late last night, my friend Nikki comments on my blog post about singer-songwriter Joshua Radin. She, too, is a casual fan. Then she casually adds that Joshua just happens to be scheduled to play at The Picador in Iowa City on Wednesday...and would I like to go, she wonders.

Whoa. A musician who hit the big time after being discovered by Scrubs star Zach Braff...who played at Ellen Degeneres's wedding...who has toured with Sheryl Crow...would stoop to play a dank, college-town hole-in-the-wall for a hundred or so people? The dive that is typically home to such stunning acts as Psychedelic Horsesh*t, F**ked Up, and Kickass Tarantulas?

You betcha. I felt privileged to be there. And Joshua had the greatest compliment for the audience: "You guys have been great to play for. You actually listen."

Who wouldn't listen? He's approaching brilliant, from a musical talent standpoint. Plus he's just adorable, especially with the cold he said he was fighting off "by drinkin' a little whiskey" and his quiet "thank you" after every song, accompanied by a cheshire cat smile that Nikki described as how Joey on Friends sounded every time he gave a girl that look and asked, "How you doin'?"

I plan to download everything Radin from iTunes tomorrow. For now, I'll post another video (the video stinks, but the music's all that matters). This is dedicated to Nik -- thanks for the heads up on his appearance and I'm bummed, too, that he didn't play your song! Here you go!

Comments

Anonymous said…
you are wonderful! I'm glad we went. And we must go next year if he makes a 3rd trip yo IC.
11:54 AM
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