Gov't Mule is like...

...Soul Food. Not the prettiest gourmet dish you'll ever see, but damn tasty all the same.

Chad and I went to see Gov't Mule last night at Tampa Theatre and they did not disappoint. It has been literally years since I've seen them--the last time was with original bassist Allen Woody, and he must have died at least four or five years ago. They still put on one of the best live shows in rock 'n roll in my opinion. Not only is Warren Haynes incredibly talented, but he also has the gift of awesome tone. He has a very distinct, recognizable sound-- case in point, Chad put in a Flying Frog Brigade (Les Claypool's side project) album a couple years back on a trip from Tampa to Miami, and part way into one of the songs, I had to find the liner notes, because I was convinced that Warren was playing. Sure enough, he was a special guest on that song.

The band just sounds good, too. I usually wear earplugs to concerts, regardless of who is playing. Last night, I didn't for most of the evening, because it was just so nice to hear a mix where all of the instruments were complementary and no one overpowered any other. I also like the "2 set" formula that a lot of the "jam bands" have adopted. Play for an hour, take a 30 minute break so that everyone can hit the bathroom and refill their drink, and then play for another hour or so. Luckily no one was sitting in the row in front of us so we could stretch out a bit and enjoy everything (Tampa Theatre is old and cramped that way...). Even Chad gave the show a thumbs up, and I'm convinced that he'd rather spend an evening at home knitting than see any band that is even remotely considered a jam band. I'm not really sure where I'm going with this post, but I just wanted to make the point that Gov't Mule is still awesome after 10 years, and you should go and see them when they're in you're town. As a matter of fact, I think they're playing in Gainesville tomorrow night....

Calling all cooks....

Since a few of you seemed to take issue with my turkey meatloaf, maybe you can help me find something else to make. Pork Vesuvio. Let me preface that, actually.

Around the fall of 2001 or 2002 (I really can't remember....college is a little hazy), Chad was making a documentary about street performers in Key West for an independent study he was doing. This was all OK with me, because we got to go to the Keys like every other week or so. I also got to use his mom's washing machine, which was an added bonus, since the washing machines in the dorms sucked. What does this have to do with pork vesuvio you might be wondering? Well, there used to be a fantastic Italian restaurant around mile marker 80-something called Dino's. This was a family run place where the little Italian grandma made the desserts. They also had a special called Pork Vesuvio that was absolutely awesome. I was told that it had been roasting in the oven for over four hours before you ever even ordered it. If they had it on the menu when we went, I ordered it--no need to look at the menu or anything. Anyway, Dino's closed a few years back, which is a real shame. If I would have known it was going to close, I would have done just about anything to get that recipe. I've searched all over the internet to find a similar recipe, but the closest thing I've come up with is chicken vesuvio, and it doesn't sound anything like my beloved pork dish. As best I can remember, this was like a pork shank or something-- it definitely had a bone in it--and I seem to remember some type of brown sauce or gravy on it. If any of you have any clue what I'm talking about, or better yet, a recipe, please share! I'll even make it for you!

Only 1 Kalorie!

They've finally arrived. My delicious European Coca-Cola Lights. They appear to be from Germany via the UK. I'm making Rachael Ray's delicious Turkey and Wild Mushroom Meat Loaf Patties with Pan Gravy and Goat Cheese Mashed Potatoes for dinner tonight, and I think I'll be enjoying that with a nice, cold, wonderful glass of Coca-Cola Light. Mmmmm.....