Aug 26, 2025
the emotion. the power. the CONTROL. I am totally and utterly mesmerized by the talent that is john popper. I feel like a child experiencing christmas for the first time
seen from United States
seen from United States
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seen from Germany
seen from United States
seen from Malaysia
seen from United States
seen from United States
seen from Germany
seen from United States
seen from Germany
seen from United States
seen from China
seen from Germany
the emotion. the power. the CONTROL. I am totally and utterly mesmerized by the talent that is john popper. I feel like a child experiencing christmas for the first time
Song Review(s): Blues Traveler - “Run-Around,” “Things are Looking Up” -> “Optimistic Thought” (Live, Nov. 21, 2023)
Ever iconoclastic, Blues Traveler got the necessary out of the way first, opening its Nov. 21 concert in the Ryman with “Run-Around.”
With that taken care of, John Popper and company got down to more-serious business, pairing “Things are Looking Up” with “Optimistic Thought” in a seamless transition that found Traveler nodding to the Blues that is its first name.
While Popper’s voice and harmonica are the band’s indispensable qualities, this paring, shared as a free, livestream sampler from the band’s tour closer, belonged to bassist Tad Kinchla, whose funky plucking and slapping gave “Things” and “Thought” the drive they needed as the band launched into “Moby Dick.” This, unfortunately, is cut after the opening measure, proving what they say about beggars and choosers.
Zep or no Zep, this giveaway from the band’s tour closer left Sound Bites wanting more. And that’s the sign of show-biz professionalism, with iconoclasm on the side.
Grade card: Blues Traveler - “Run-Around,” “Things are Looking Up” -> “Optimistic Thought” (Live - 11/21/23) - C/A-/B+
11/22/23
I went to go see Train last night with my girlfriend and other friends. Honestly, the last time I went to a concert was in 2013 (2014?) for Bruno Mars, who is a really great live performer. So, it was nice to finally watch another show, especially with company. Some highlights from the show:
1) Blues Traveler and Jewel were the opening acts. One, I didn’t know Blues Traveler was still performing. Two, Jewel is a country/rock and roll artist now, which was surprising.
2) Train ended the show with “Drops of Jupiter”, which made sense since that was their biggest hit. But, not gonna lie, I spent most of the show going, “When are they going to play Drops of Jupiter?”
3) Pat Monahan shouted, “How you doing San Francisco!” multiple times in the show. Sir...we’re in Mountain View.
4) I never thought I’d ever see Jewel, the yodeling folk musician, cover Led Zeppelin.
5) SPEAKING OF JEWEL! I don’t know if she was drunk or if she’s just wild as a person, but her set was a little unhinged. She trolled the security guard with her yodeling, she sang “Intuition” but changed the lyrics so that she could reference Amber Heard and Johnny Depp, and then she told the crowd that she was 48 and she could do whatever the fuck she wanted. It was really entertaining lol.
6) Blues Traveler was my favorite guest performer. He absolutely killed it with the harmonica solos.
7) I was never a huge fan of Train, but they’re fun to watch live. You can tell the guys were having a blast on stage. I will say though, their setlist was kinda random at times (ex.: they random started playing the end of “Hey Jude” by the Beatles) and they showered confetti on the crowd multiple times. Also, people were throwing their phones on stage so that Pat can take a selfie for them. While that’s a nice gesture, I don’t think I’d just willingly throw my phone at Pat.
Blues Traveler - Run-Around
John Goodman singing on "Roseanne" with John Popper, the song is Sweet Home Chicago
It’s like hiring a superhero to fight your battles for you. Go like destory that pile of villains! It’s just true.
John Popper about JC Chasez [Live At The Rocks]
“Tuesday’s Gone” by Metallica (Lynyrd Skynyrd cover)
Train roll on, on down the line, Won't you please take me far away? Now I feel the wind blow outside my door, Means I'm leaving my woman behind. Tuesday's gone with the wind. My woman's gone with the wind.
This acoustic cover was recorded live at a radio station along with John Popper (Blues Traveller) on harmonica, Les Claypool (Primus) on bass, and Gary Rossington (Lynyrd Skynyrd) on guitar. It’s a fairly faithful rendition with plenty of room for improvisations and solos. At least until the point where it somehow morphs into “Free Bird”.