Bill Callahan in the Sculpture Garden (July 8)

There have been numerous memorable shows this year: Robyn, Calvin Johnson, Jonathan Richman, Elephant Six, Destroyer, Sebadoh, Sharon Van Etten and the always on-target Mountain Goats. And that's leaving out a few well-deserving acts. There are many factors that can elevate a show to an even grander status, however. Atmosphere, location and outside circumstances are simple principles that catapult a show into the higher echelons of live events. This is often beyond the artist's control, but there is no grander gesture to an artist than traveling distant expanses to see them.

Side note: sorry, Chad VanGaalen, I really couldn't swing the five hour drive to Ithaca, NY.

Pittsburgh is no great adventure from here, but part of the night's success can be attributed to the curators of the Sound Series in the Sculpture Court (a collaborative effort between the Carnegie Museum of Art and The Warhol). It was a beautiful night that was only marginally dampered by squirming around uncomfortably on concrete steps.

More after the jump, including photos/videos:
Beyond that, Bill Callahan and his band deserve the highest praise. While The Warhol's online description called for a 10 o'clock closing time, we were treated to a whopping 100-minute set that never ceased to amaze. There's always something to be said for intimate outdoors performances, and this one was top-notch. Taking requests at the end of his set and presenting himself with the utmost poise throughout, Callahan seemed as delighted as we were to be there.

As usual, I'd strive to articulate this better, but I'm pressing time to catch Das Racist as part of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's Summer in the City free series.

What I will say is that I wish I had captured "Eid Ma Clack Shaw," which excelled in replacing strings with an electric guitar. And I also regret struggling for days to upload the second fifteen minute video, but hope that you'll enjoy it (you will). The poignancy of his performance really shouldn't come as a surprise since I did name Rough Travel for a Rare Thing as 2010's best live album.

On another note, I've heard "Weird Al" Yankovic's Alpocalypse is entirely comprised of covers from Bill Callahan's new album. "Drover" becomes a rollicking tune about a Range Rover, and "Eid Ma Clack Shaw" is sung as a bonus song verbatim. It's funny enough, as-is. But, uh, can anybody confirm this?

Click the links for videos ("America!" is an official video, others are my recording).

Setlist:
Riding for the Feeling / Baby's Breath / Eid Ma Clack Shaw /
Universal Applicant / Too Many Birds / America! /
One Fine Morning / Drover / Say Valley Maker /
Let Me See the Colts / In the Pines

At the end of "In the Pines," Callahan sang: "Thank you everyone, that was our show / If you'd like to hear more, please let us know."

Encore (we let him know):
The Well / Sycamore / Blood Red Bird