Day.
WOW, what a band. I walked out of one of their shows once thinking to
myself, 'Finally, a good reason to riot in the streets.'
M
-----Original Message-----
From: Jim Davis [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: Wednesday, March 03, 2004 2:20 AM
To: CF-Community
Subject: Just saw BNL live - GREAT!
My lovely bride surprised me with tickets to Barenaked Ladies at the
Fleet
Center (Boston) tonight. It was odd to see them as an arena band: the
last
time we saw them live was at the Paradise bar on Comm Ave in, I think,
1995.
The show was unbelievably good. This band just works so hard for its
fans.
They've learned what I think is the key to a good live show: the fans
already HAVE the album, give us something different!
The show started off wonderfully (after the rather annoying opening
acts)
with a great short done by the RedVrsBlue.com folks (I laughed my ass
off
from the first frame - it was so great just to see it up there!) There
was
another RedVrsBlue.com short as an intermission. The songlist was well
choosen - they did at least one song from every album and their first
album
"Gordon" was as well represented as their latest.
The show was as much comedy as music: in their live shows the guys
change
lyrics for the locals, insert jokes and puns and aside off into new
rhymes
and bits. We Also got an incredible upright bass sol by Jim Creegan
(who
had the crowd directly in the palm of his hand even tho' he never said a
word) followed closely by a comedic "greatest bass numbers" medley: The
"Barney Miller" theme, "Smoke on the Water", etc. There was an audience
participation bit where an audience member was allowed to battle with a
crew
member over band trivia.
One of the best parts of the show for me was a four song acoustic set.
All
five band members surrounded one mic and had a great time with the
songs.
They did one song from the new album, "For You" that was written in
that
style, then did two older songs that were originally elaborately
produced.
The set ended with a brilliantly hilarious although utterly respectful
rendition of the "Road Runner" theme song.
There were also some great little stage bits worked in. For example the
new
track "Shopping" is all electronic music - so while Steven Page was
singing
the song to a pre-recorded music track the rest of the band whirled
around
him with shopping carts in a mock ballet. The band's energy is truly
contagious. The light show focused on including the audience - more
often
that not the lights were illuminating the audience rather than the
stage.
An interesting side note: every stop on this tour will be available as
an
album or downloadable MP3 from www.barenakedladies.com
<http://www.barenakedladies.com/> - not for free, but still it's a
great
idea and I may up with several versions of the concerts (unlike most
bands
each concert has significant differences in track selection).
The worst part about the concert was the venue - sports stadiums are
simply
not designed for music so you end up with volume being used instead of
design. It was LOUD. This affected the opening acts more however: the
instrument channels completely overpowered the vocal channel for both
acts.
I also really hated the second act, but I bought the CD from the first,
Butterfly Boucher, because I have a suspicion that I'll actually really
her
when I can actually here her voice and tone down the bass.
In any case if you get a chance to see them in concert, take it - even
if
you're not a big fan they just put on a great, great show. I've been a
huge
fan since their first release and I think they just keep getting better.
At the same time, jeeze am I getting old! I spent a lot of time at the
concert yawning and wondering why these damn kids had to yell so much.
;^)
I'm going to take my crotchety old ass to bed now.
Jim Davis
[Todays Threads] [This Message] [Subscription] [Fast Unsubscribe] [User Settings]
