One more off the bucket list....

When I was in college, I fell in love with a certain Greatest Hits tape. Well, there were several of them, really, that I wore the absolute bejeezus out of, and this was one of them. I think I went through a couple of them before switching to CD. And nearly 25 years ago, when I was going through some difficult dark moments, the music from this tape kept me going, kept me moving. Why? I don't know. Something in the music resonated deep in my soul.

About 20 years or so ago, I had the opportunity to see them in a rare concert appearance..... and passed. I know, what was I thinking? Well, primarily, I was thinking I had massive student loan payments back then, at least as a percentage of my income at the time. And my friend who was offering to get the tickets had already paid for tickets before when I was in college. It didn't seem fair to have this person always foot the bill and have me pay back always. So I passed.

I kicked my butt for 20 years about that. When I found out the band was out on tour this summer, I decided that I would not make that mistake again. So last night, I checked another off the bucket list and saw Steely Dan.

Worth it all. Absolutely phenomenal show!!!! I knew almost every song, and the ones that I wasn't as familiar with were the deeper album cuts from a couple of CDs I don't have. And sure, there were a few (twenty or so - ha!) songs I would have loved to hear. But that show was a 4.8 out of 5!!! It was absolutely wonderful to have been there, and I am moving on to the next concert on the list...... Tedeschi Trucks Band.

By the way, Donald Fagen may be the voice of Steely Dan, but Walter Becker is the comedian.

The only gripes to be had concerned the venue itself. There needs to be FAR better signage and education on where your seats are. Something like "If your ticket says 'GAL_x_', go to the third floor" ........... or "If your ticket says 'BAL_x_', go to the second floor" ..........people were horridly confused over where there tickets were, and there just were not enough ushers. That being said, the ones who were working were amazingly helpful and cool under pressure at helping people to their seats. I would have been hard-pressed not to say, "Sir, I have pointed out to you four different times where your seat is, I'm not sure I really can assist you further."  Really. Yes. There were people who simply could not read letters and numbers easily enough to find their seats.

And I was highly disappointed not to find a Braves affiliate for the drive home. Really. That was pathetic.

Do yourself a favor.....

.... and if Marc Cohn is coming anywhere near you this summer (or really, anytime), spend the money and go to his concert.

Of course, we all know "Walking in Memphis" -- I won't even talk about how awesome that was live last night -- but if that's the only song of his that you know, please hit iTunes or eMusic or Spotify or Rhapsody or any other music-streaming, music-buying source and listen or download some others. You shall not be disappointed.

After "Walking in Memphis," the next time I heard of him was actually a few years later, when I found a CD in the cutout bin. It was something called "Discovery: Pop" and I want to say this was '98 or '99-ish .... somewhere in there, maybe? Anyway, it was the last cut on the CD and it was his cover of Harry Nilsson's "Turn Up Your Radio."

Let me pause right here: if you haven't heard that song, just stop right now and go listen. I'll wait. No, really, I mean it. Go listen NOW. It is that damn good.

Told ya.

Well, that was that. Marc Cohn fan for life. He could have sung the phone book, and I would have been thrilled.

Time came and I liked the Facebook page. Saw something on there one day that said, "Greenville SC people, tell me some good places to eat while I'm there. Making my first visit to....." and I don't remember anything else. I bought my ticket the next day. I was going come hell or high water. If I had to drag myself in the midst of a migraine, by God, I was going to make that concert!

I was not disappointed in the least -- not even when he didn't sing "Turn On Your Radio" (which is still the song that just melts me). He does so many other good songs that I wouldn't have complained if he'd sung that phone book.

And you best believe I will be buying tickets for the next time he comes to Greenville.