Jamie Thingelstad

A couple of months ago my cousin Josh sent me a text that David Francey was coming to Minneapolis and wondering if I’d like to go? I had no idea who Francey was or where he was playing, but after clearing the calendar the answer was an instant yes! Last year Josh had turned me onto the High Kings and they have been on high rotation for me ever since, so I was happy to get introduced to another musician. Josh and Dawn, and their good friends Paul and Jodi, joined Tammy and I to see Francey at the Celtic Junction last night.

It was a great show.

Before we get to Francey there was a short set from Terra Spencer to open the show. Spencer was a great opener with a novel-like background of being a funderal director in a small town. Her songs were captivating. “Coyote” stood out in her songs for me.

For the final song of her set David Francey came on stage and joined her, and then Chris Murphy came on as well and Francey’s set started, with Spencer staying for a couple of songs but the majority of the set was Francey and Murphy.

I had listened to some of Francey’s songs before coming so I was expecting a delightful evening of folk music and we got that and some more. He shared a story for every song he played.

“This Morning” stood out for me. He wrote it on John Prine’s passing and brought in components of Prine’s music into it. I’ve listened to this song several times now. “The Breath Between”, the title song off of his newest album had me rapt as well.

As I listened to him it hit me that his accent and singing reminds me so much of the late Shane MacGowan of the Pogues. Francey doesn’t have the gravel and drunk sound of MacGowan. But the cadence and lilt is very similar.

Lastly, the Celtic Junction was a cool venue. They partner with the Irish Fair of Minnesota and have a nice community center.

I thought for sure there would not be a Weekly Thing this weekend. Then my afternoon opened up and it is happening. That makes me happy. Will go out tomorrow morning! 📬

I was excited to see my question, how to choose a donut, answered in latest issue of Mike Monteiro’s Good News!

Another morning at Getaway Motor Cafe. Got a mug for home and a Nose Warmer Latte. Very good breakfast treats too.

Tammy and I rescued Robin Hood in the Sherwood Forest room at No ESC Puzzle Collective in Shakopee tonight. Took 59m 36s! Room 63!

Tammy and I had our first free court time at Mega Pickleball today. We practiced various drills getting ready to play others.

It was a bit windy today but otherwise good time on the Three Mile Walk at the Minnesota Arboretum.