I missed the majority of Bill Callahan’s set, mostly because I wasn’t in the most outgoing mood — being that I’d been told a few hours prior that I was going to need a kidney biopsy the next day. Nothing like a medical procedure to put a damper on your desire to go out. But when I finally did manage to drag myself out of my house and down the one block to Cosmic Charlie’s, I immediately wished I’d been there the whole time.

The most striking thing about Bill Callahan is that his voice is even more impressive in person. He’s one of the few people I’ve seen perform who have not only an stirring singing voice, but a commanding speaking voice as well. I mean, forget Snoop Dog, this is a guy I’d love to have give me directions. So with a voice that good, it’s no surprise that he was able to completely dominate the room with just a guitar and a drummer. It didn’t quite have a Black Keys level of energy to it, but everyone was deathly silent and still.

Hearing songs off this year’s fantastic album Sometimes I Wish I Were an Eagle was great, but unfortunately I could only stay for four or five. After soaking in just under 20 minutes of his set, I had to dart back to my house in order to be well rested for the next day’s biopsy (which went quite well, thanks). I wish that I’d been able to see the whole performance, but up until this month I wished I could see even a minute of Bill Callahan’s live show. Better to get a sampling of greatness than nothing at all.