Steve Martin & the Steep Canyon Rangers

Monday, October 12 (last night), we went and saw Steve Martin & the Steep Canyon Rangers with our friends Kim&Joe. Albert got the tickets through the USO, which was good because they start out at $65. The steep ticket prices didn't deter the large audience though.

They didn't let anyone in until 8 PM when the show was supposed to start so there was a long line of people waiting outside the Warner Theatre when we got there. I figured most people were there to see Steve Martin, but with the yelling and whistling in between songs you could tell that there were some genuine fans of the Steep Canyon Rangers.

Steve Martin told lots of fun jokes during the set and apparently he wrote almost all of the songs. Most were instrumental, but there were a few that he included lyrics to. He sang songs about his dog, a kid being late for school, and the freedom of breaking off a bad relationship. They were funny and light.

The Steep Canyon Rangers played a few songs alone in the middle of the set and I liked that part the best (don't tell Steve I said that). The lead singer was great and he sang more traditional blue grass songs. One was about working in the coal mine called Call the Captain, another was about the plight of the working man called There Ain't No Easy Street, and a cool gospel song about being new in heaven and wanting to walk around instead of sitting down called I Can't Sit Down.

When we walked into the theatre (which is beautiful btw) and I saw the "absolutely no photos of any kind" signs I figured we wouldn't get any pics, but everyone started bringing out their cameras during the encores. The 1st encore was The Orange Blossum Special, which required mad fiddle skills and was my very favorite of the night.

Here's the song from YouTube from a live broadcast from Tanglewood of A Prairie Home Companion in June:

We then waited around afterwards and Albert got pictures with everyone in the band except Steve Martin who isn't into meet and greets apparently.

He even got them to sign his ticket.

If you're interested here is a great review written about the night that really sums it up.