I was trolling through my byline archives this week in an attempt to refresh my failing memory as to the major musical events of 1998 in Tallahassee, and I came to a shocking conclusion:

I just don't get out enough.

I was looking for reminders of the best live shows I've seen during my six-month tenure here at the Democrat. While I came up with a fairly extensive slate of performances actually witnessed by yours truly, I realized that I missed some really great shows.

There were some weekends I was spread so thin I felt transparent, and I still missed shows I wanted to see. There were times I felt so overwhelmed by choices that I froze up like a deer in the headlights. Sometimes I just took the easy way out and didn't go anywhere because -- contrary to cliche -- even the wicked must rest.

Excuses, excuses, eh?

If you want proof that the local and regional scenes are lively as a flea circus, all you have to do is look at a list of the shows I somehow managed to miss in 1998: Clarence Carter and Denise LaSalle at the Moon; Millie Jackson at Club V-12 in Quincy; newgrass trio Two High String Band both times it played at the Warehouse; Tab Benoit's "Course of Blues" benefit at the Cross Creek golf course; the Miller's Landing Bluegrass Festival; Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown at Dave's CC Club; the Count Basie Orchestra with Scotty Barnhart at the Moon; Melt Banana at the Cow Haus; Derek Trucks at Potbelly's; Jose Feliciano at the Moon; Medeski Martin and Wood at Floyd's; and Asleep at the Wheel at the North Florida Fair.

You get my drift. There's more going on out there than could ever be contained in a mere music column. But, by golly, I'm going to do my darnedest in 1999 to expand the musical parameters of this column even further. My resolution for the New Year is to visit more venues, interview more bands and pass my observations on to you in a timely manner, with the occasional digression down the garden path to restore my soul. In the meantime, here's a list of a few of the more memorable performances I did manage to catch since hopping on this love train in May. There's more in store for 1999, so keep it tuned to this spot on the entertainment dial.

• Will Oldham and the Anomoanon played an in-store set at Vinyl Fever and two incredible sets at the Cow Haus in October and both were wholly engaging and musically enchanting performances.
• James Brown proved he's still the Godfather of Soul at the Alachua Music Harvest at the beginning of October. I got up off of that thing and danced till I felt better, along with a muddy field full of other devotees of the funk.
• The ladies packed the dance floor when bluesman Johnny Rawls came to town in May and started a burning fire of pure sexual healing at Dave's CC Club. He'll be back for this month's Star-Spangled Blues Gathering.
• Some enterprising and inventive local musicians banded together to create the Cabrones, a Ramones cover group that re-defined the whole concept of a tribute band at the Cow Haus in July.
• Any Parachute Pants show at the Cow Haus in 1998 was a cause for rejoicing and much dancing; the '80s cover band is so much fun, it ought to be illegal.
• Whigham, Ga., native Johnnie Marshall came into his own in 1998 with a widely acclaimed CD and successful world tour, and he still had time to wow the faithful at several shows at Dave's CC Club.
• Songband -- with Ethan Schaffner on banjo and Elisabeth King on accordion -- became a Friday night institution at Waterworks. The duo's mix of impeccable musicianship and dry humor made 8 to 10:30 a truly Happy Hour at the downtown bar.
• World-renowned trumpet player Longineu Parsons took a break from his FAMU classroom to play some stellar jazz with his combo at Waterworks in September. As a matter of fact, the Saturday night jazz showcase at Waterworks was a series of high points, with excellent performances from such local luminaries as Bill Peterson and his trio (including the now-departed upright bass master Alex Berti ) and sizzling salsa-tinged jazz from Latin Attitude, which usually holds court on Thursday nights.
• Charlie Hargrett of Blackfoot came up from Gainesville for a special Blue Monday Jam with Pando's Sideshow in July at the Pearl Oyster Bar. The beer was cold and the blues was smokin'.
• Several local bands went out with big bangs last year, including Nel Aspinal, Tight With Milk, Gruel, Baccone Dolce and Cream Abdul Babar all giving up heart and soul with style and grace at the Cow Haus.
• ACME Rhythm and Blues laid down a funk groove so intoxicating and infectious that the dancing masses forgot for a while just how hot and oppressive it was at Chez Pierre's Bastille Day celebration in July.
• Shania Twain and Canadian Celtic family affair Leahy completely won over a Civic Center full of folks -- including this Doubting Kati -- in September with a show full of warmth, passion and production values worthy of arena rock giants.
• Indian dancer Preeti Vinayak wove a spell of absolute enchantment when she performed in Opperman Music Hall in early October.
• Rockabilly legends Flat Duo Jets and Rev. Horton Heat teamed up with the Amazing Crowns in November for a stellar show at the Cow Haus.

The Tallahasee Democrat