Music Reviews
Mike Doughty

Mike Doughty

The Question Jar Show

Mike Doughty had an interesting way of getting closer to his fans. His last tour he set up a question jar and in-between songs, he would answer questions that his fans put in the jar. Questions like “Would you rather play Twister with Dick Cheney or punch a kitten in the face?” (For the record, he would rather play Twister with Dick Cheney because he “couldn’t bring myself to punch a kitten.”) It’s questions like that that make this two-disc live album The Question Jar Show so entertaining.

Doughty plays a lot of his classic solo songs (with long-time collaborator Andrew “Scrap” Livingston) like “Busting Up a Starbucks,” “Navigating by the Stars at Night” and “27 Jennifers,” but what makes this so much fun to listen to are the questions in between.

Fans wonder whether Doughty has “ever killed anyone softly with your song” or why “there are no songs called ‘Bridget.’” He then improvises a song called “Bridget” which sounds a lot like his other songs.

Even if you’re not a big fan of Mike Doughty, The Question Jar Show is just like being in a very intimate concert setting with just a couple hundred people… and you. You may not have been there physically, but until you are able to see him in person, this will certainly help ease the urge to find him in concert.

Mike Doughty: http://www.mikedoughty.com


Recently on Ink 19...

Swans

Swans

Event Reviews

40 years on, Michael Gira and Swans continue to bring a ritualistic experience that needs to be heard in order to be believed. Featured photo by Reese Cann.

Eclipse 2024

Eclipse 2024

Features

The biggest astronomical event of the decade coincides with a long overdue trip to Austin, Texas.

Sun Ra

Sun Ra

Music Reviews

At the Showcase: Live in Chicago 1976/1977 (Jazz Detective). Review by Bob Pomeroy.