Emily wrote:
>she was wonderful: energetic, smiling, dancing around.
>i thought her voice was great, even in its non-produced
>form (cracking or shivering a bit on various notes.)
>great versions of "red vines," "susan" and "wise up."
>AND an unbelievable, acoustic, slowed-down "it's not
>safe" (from i'm with stupid) that was so incredible
>that we talked about it in the cab on the way home for
>twenty minutes.
Thanks for the review of the show, Emily! I saw Aimee and Michael play in
Toronto about a year ago, and I had the same reaction to Aimee's
performance of "It's Not Safe," which was undoubtedly the highlight of the
show. I like the arrangement of it she's been playing live better than the
one from a few years ago or even the album version -- it's just so
heartbreaking and beautiful. I had goosebumps throughout the entire song,
and was quite happy when I was able to get a copy of another show from that
tour, just so I could hear it again.
Just out of curiosity, did Aimee do "Fourth of July" or "Ghost World?" Both
have also been highlights when I've seen her in the past.
>however, although i LIKE michael penn i certainly don't
>love his songs (they seemed rather cheesy and anthemic
>last night), and it was kind of painful because even his
>fans might admit his songwriting is about three cuts below
>his wife's. still, their collaboration and affection
>are real, and ever since seeing yo la tengo a few months
>ago i've been entranced by all the interesting things that
>happen when two life partners get up on stage together.
I count myself as a huge Michael Penn fan, so I do have to wonder if this
show was your first introduction to his music. Personally, I find his songs
translate better on record than they do live, and they usually do take a
few listens before they have any real impact. Personally, though, I'm
floored by his album _Resigned_ in particular -- "All That That Implies"
and "Out of My Hands" are both exceptional songs. If you haven't heard this
album, before you write him off, please give this album a chance to win you
over. It really is great.
I will admit that his songwriting isn't in the same league as Aimee's, but
then again, whose is? There are very few songwriters who I'd put in the
same class as her (Elvis Costello and Andy Partridge both immediately come
to mind; Joni's above her). Any songwriter who is three cuts below Aimee is
still pretty much head and shoulders above most of what's out there.
Ultimately, comparing Aimee and Michael is like comparing apples and
oranges in my opinion, and I wonder if a solo Michael performance would
win people over more. I'm sure his songs would come across better if they
weren't directly 'competing' with Aimee's. On their own, they're wonderful;
compared to his wife's, there is a disparity in talent.
(Aside: Interesting that you're a Yo La Tengo fan as well; I think they're
amazing. _I Can Hear the Heart Beating as One_ seldom left my player during
the first few months I had it.)
Kakki wrote:
>Thanks for the review. It's funny because I had almost the same reaction to
>her show here in L.A. about a year ago. They opened with the amateur comic,
>and then there was as much Michael Penn in the show as Aimee, and they also
>gave time to spotlighting some of the band members showing off their
>individual virtuosity. To me, all of this distracted from really focusing
>on Aimee's music. I got the impression that all of them , including the
>comic are "one big happy family", who like to do a sort of group "showcase,"
>which is fine, but it really cuts into featuring and being able to
>appreciate Aimee. A few months ago a list member sent me an incredible
>compilation of almost all Aimee, with Penn on back-up vocals and guitar on
>just a couple of songs. I enjoyed and appreciated her music so much more
>when it was just about her - without the whole gang competing for attention.
To be fair, Aimee and Michael say they use the comedian because neither of
them are good at banter and feel more comfortable on stage this way. I've
seen Aimee both with and sans comedian, and she does appear a lot more
relaxed and seems to have a better time on stage when the focus isn't
solely on her. Also, most of the time, they use a different comic in each
city and some are much better than others. A lot depends on who's there the
night you see the show.
Also, just to defend Michael a little further, the show isn't supposed to
be all about Aimee in the first place. The Acoustic Vaudeville shows were
conceived of as joint venture to showcase both artists' material and
they're both to receive equal billing. Of course, this is undermined in
many cases by promoters who tend to advertise otherwise and focus more on
Aimee, who admittedly has a higher profile, making her seem like the
headliner and Michael as a guest or opener, when that's not the case and
there is no headliner. In fact, the show I saw in Toronto was very
misleadingly promoted as an Aimee-only gig with no word on if there'd even
be a headliner. We didn't know if Michael would be there or not until the
show actually started. It may have thrown a few people off who weren't
expecting him, but I personally was glad he was there.
This topic gets debated a fair amount on Mannlist, so if I seem overly
defensive, it's likely because I've had too much pro-Aimee/anti-Michael
talk. I happen to like them both and enjoy seeing them perform together.
Besides, when they play live together, they play much longer shows than
either of them normally do solo, and you get two great talents for the
price of one. Also, the fact is, neither of them enjoy touring all that
much and Aimee probably would not have played nearly as many shows as she
has since Magnolia's release if it weren't for the fact she was touring
with Michael.
Besides, they make such a cute couple on stage. ;)
I wonder if those who go to the shows mainly to see Michael feel the same
way about Aimee? Hmmm.
Cheers,
Jase
