Jim & Jennie and the Pinetops open for Neko Case at the Casbah, San Diego, November 14, 2002.


I saw this same line-up the night before. Actually, I mostly skipped Jim & Jennie because I didn't know what I was missing. About 3 songs before the end of their set I went in and listened - and cursed mine own eyes for not being there sooner and taping. They were at the fabled Derby of Hollywood opening for Neko Case. I've lived in Hollywood for years now and I can probably count the number of opening bands who caught ANY attention of the crowd. Hollywood people are just too fucking cool usually. Not this night. Hollywood hipsters (of which I'm very far from being) were enthralled with Jim & Jennie and the Pinetops. They screamed and clapped for every song.

Needless to say I went to the show the next night in San Diego and recorded their show on the sly. I was a little afraid to ask for permission. After the show I wrote them email and apologized and asked permission to trade the show. They were lovely and nice and gave permission and asked for a copy, which I sent. Jim also sent me a picture to use in the artwork. He sent it a few months later, so it's not in this artwork, but it showed that they truly did not mind tapers - at least that's what I took out of it.

OK, so the Hollywood crowd was won over, but I have few fingers on one hand than opening bands who have been asked to encore by the audience. It happened here. The band came back to huge applause and screams and just looked so embarrassed and pleased that... well, I can't even get into it.

This is one of the best recordings I've ever made and I am very proud of it. I highly recommend this bluegrass band as one of the best live bands I've seen and lovely people to boot. They also have a new album coming out on the tasty Bloodshot label. Go to their site and buy it and their earlier stuff. All of it is just amazing.

All the usual stuff applies, so I won't even bother saying it. Just know that this band blew away this night's headline, though they'd be too shy to admit to it.

11-14-2002 at The Casbah, San Diego
From the Back of the Church ¥ Joy Bells ¥ Insult to Injury ¥ Little Birdy ¥ Driving Rain ¥ The Light of Day ¥ Nobody's Love but Mine ¥ The Road to Paradise ¥ (Banter) ¥??? ¥ No Telephone in Heaven ¥ Firetower ¥ (encore)
Ruby

One more thing for the moderators - Ms. Case is not on this recording in any way.