Limping to a Concert
A few weeks ago, my brother mentioned that Colin Hay was playing in town for two nights. And when he said in town, he meant literally in my town.
"In Hillsboro?" I asked. "Really?"
"Yep, at the Art Center downtown. You want to go."
The former lead singer of Men at Work was playing in Hillsboro? Hillsboro, OR is about 17 miles west of Portland, has about 87,000 people living in it, and seems far, far away from KROQ in Los Angeles: the station where I first heard Colin Hay sing.
I knew a few Colin Hay solo songs, but not much. Usually, I go to a concert "more prepared", knowing a good portion of the artist's catalog & such. But this event had several advantages, including
- a quick commute from work - I could just jump on the Max train with my brother, run a couple of stops, and be there
- a chance to hear a non-children's artist live. With guitars, even!
- a NIGHT OUT AS AN ADULT
The last one was a clincher. So Thursday night, I limped down to the Max station (nursing a calf injury), met my brother, and maxed to downtown Hillsboro. We enjoyed a pretty good dinner, actually, at the Sports Look restaurant and bar (recommend the prime rib dip and honey beer). We arrived at the Glenn & Viola Walters Cultural Arts Center just a little after seven - about an hour before the concert started.
I won't give a detailed review of the concert (though it was quite good) except to say: go see Colin Hay if you get the chance. The songs are great, particularly acoustic (the best way to hear concerts as I grow older... and older). Even better, a good third of the concert was Colin Hay telling stories from his life on the road as a touring musician and at home in Scotland and Australia. His observations were funny and engaging. Both my brother and I had a good evening out.
As I write, I am listening to a mix of newer solo material and acoustic versions of Men at Work hits from his album, Man At Work. You can visit his space on My Space . If you want to revisit the 80s with his band, Men at Work, I'd recommend this best of or Business As Usual - the album that, along with MTV, broke them as hit makers in America.
-- Dad
