minnesota state fair

i really had no idea what i was getting into when i made plans to go to the minnesota state fair all day and evening yesterday. i was not aware i would watch a cat get spayed. i was not aware i would watch the afterbirth fall out of a lamb after she gave birth to two new little ones. i was not aware of how many people would crowd around the dfl booth, leaving the republicans with a handful of people. most of all, i was not aware of how completely blown away i would be by brandi carlile's performance.

in my life, i've been to a few concerts i would classify as pretty damn amazing. last night, however, brandi topped them all (with the exception of goldmine pickers, which will never be outshined). i knew i liked her music. i knew i loved her voice. i knew she had the perfect cds to listen to as i drive and sing/scream along. now i know how completely amazing it is to see her live. so i beg you... look at her touring schedule from time to time and see if she'll be in your area. believe me, brandi and her band put on a tremendous show. it's not just the voice, but her guitar playing, enthusiasm, energy, spirit, laughter, movement, and style. just trust me. go to a show.

i also made the following ranking of recordings of the song "hallelujah" : jeff buckley, brandi carlile, jason castro, rufus wainwright. i doubt anyone will ever beat jeff buckley in my mind, but brandi did a pretty amazing job with the song live.

a few of the 200+ pictures i took at the fair: