Who is this nut?
- kired
- "You need to believe in things that aren't true. How else can they become?" T. Pratchett
Showing posts with label live shows. Show all posts
Showing posts with label live shows. Show all posts
26.6.11
File Under: Solid Sound, Day 2
Ok folks, we're prepping to hit the road, so this will be quick and dirty.
We finished our tour of the installations at Mass MoCA and came away with the general feeling that last summer's stuff was stronger. Although some pieces did strike true like the one's by Kathrina Grosse (see photo). I'm not sure if it's more that I'm less impressed with video pieces (there were so many of them) or that last year was so very much better in general. Hard to say with art.
We enjoyed a couple hours of the John Hodgeman curated comedy. John was of course hilarious, but Morgan Murphy and the "Artisinal Pencil Sharpener" were particularly hilarious. I expected more from Eugene Mirman, though he tends to work more in the realm of smirk than actual laughing, I suppose. We left before Wyatt Cenac and John's sets. Our butt's were tired and we had to pee. Once you leave, you really can't get back in. The Hunter Center was too damn small. I suggest you bring a cushion and a bottle to pee in, if you go next year.
Better armed against the rain, we settled in with our friends for Syl Johnson and The Sweet Devines, who turned out a great set. However, I have no idea what he was on about in the interstisials, he kept mumbling something about Wu Tang. He thought it was hilarious.
Finally, at 9:15ish, Wilco took the stage and brought forth two hours of Wilco goodness. I can't recommend enough, seeing this band live. Of particular musical serendipity, was when Sarah Lee Guthrie joined the band on stage to sing California Stars (her grandfather, Woody, wrote the lyrics).
Other things of note. We were introduced to something called a Samosa. YUM!
Time to finish packing and hit road.
Love, Peace and Chicken Grease
We enjoyed a couple hours of the John Hodgeman curated comedy. John was of course hilarious, but Morgan Murphy and the "Artisinal Pencil Sharpener" were particularly hilarious. I expected more from Eugene Mirman, though he tends to work more in the realm of smirk than actual laughing, I suppose. We left before Wyatt Cenac and John's sets. Our butt's were tired and we had to pee. Once you leave, you really can't get back in. The Hunter Center was too damn small. I suggest you bring a cushion and a bottle to pee in, if you go next year.
Better armed against the rain, we settled in with our friends for Syl Johnson and The Sweet Devines, who turned out a great set. However, I have no idea what he was on about in the interstisials, he kept mumbling something about Wu Tang. He thought it was hilarious.
Finally, at 9:15ish, Wilco took the stage and brought forth two hours of Wilco goodness. I can't recommend enough, seeing this band live. Of particular musical serendipity, was when Sarah Lee Guthrie joined the band on stage to sing California Stars (her grandfather, Woody, wrote the lyrics).
Other things of note. We were introduced to something called a Samosa. YUM!
Time to finish packing and hit road.
Love, Peace and Chicken Grease
25.6.11
File Under: Solid Sound, Day 1
As Mass MoCA is always a visual delight, we were met with art almost immediately. The place is rife with it, both the installations that already inhabited the vast brick buildings and the festival specific pieces. Food and beverage selections are fairly plentiful and seem to all be local purveyors. The thoughtfulness of that last part makes me happy.
The paid and volunteer staff all seemed happy to be there and were quite polite, even security (what? is that even possible?).
Now for the music, Purling Hiss garnered a great big meh from me. Pajama Club was better but not exactly my cuppa, we listened though as we sat on a hill and watched the sky darken. As their set continued, our friends arrived with boys in tow. We followed them down into the field, which through many feet and much rain was softening into mud. They chose a spot, set up their chairs and we chatted over the band (we are so rude, I know). Not a full 10 minutes after Doug had declared that it wouldn't rain, "the radar showed it had turned...."
Ellyn and I had brought rain coats. I had on boots, I was planning on this all being fine. We're Mainers, rain is nothing. What we hadn't banked on was the 10-15 degree drop in temp. Rain coats and ponchos don't address that little bugaboo. We decided to go back up the hill and sit on the bleachers while they reset the stage for Wilco. We sat for a mere few minutes before we decided the our asses would not be able to endure. Also, the sound tent blocked the view. "If we can't see, we may as well find someplace dryer." said the Mrs. I agreed.
We made our way through the increasing downpour to the shelter of the main building. We debated the merits of staying while in line for our body and soul warming coffee and tea. As we started to make our way back to the field, we overheard someone on a security radio mentioning that is they get thunder they will be shutting down. This makes absolute sense and as the potential was high, we decided to head back to the hotel and regroup for today. We did hear the distant thrum of the band as we waited for the shuttle. In fact we heard about 30 minutes worth. The planners had not accounted for people wanting to leave early if the weather turned nasty.
Upon return to the hotel, we soaked in a hot bath and slept like logs. Now we must go forth to source some better, warmer rain gear. Ta!
4.2.11
File Under: And it's Beautiful
Back in December my wife and I were fortunate enough to see one of my favorite bands, Crash Test Dummies, during their two nights at Tupelo Music Hall in New Hampshire. What we enjoyed that night was showmanship at it's best. Not only were Brad and Ellen vocally superb, they were funny and personable. Whether he was pontificating on masturbation, weed or the intellectual value of certain rowdy audience members, I was highly entertained.
They performed many songs from their new album "Oooh-La-La," (now streaming on their website, linked above) as well as some of their hits. Not one of the "payday" songs was performed without some back story and self-deprecating humor. Their music has always had a certain joyful darkness to it, inlaid with aspects of Brad's personality, but being in that intimate setting with them really brought it to bare. Maybe I've been warped by too many years of CBC programming while growing up, but his sense of humor is definitely mine. I must buy this man a beer.
If you ever get a chance to see these folks in action, I highly recommend you go. I also recommend you leave the kids or people who are easily offended at home. Mr. Roberts has a glorious potty mouth.
Here is a great video about the process for the new album:
From the new album: And It's Beautiful:
One of my faves, they did that night. "Swimming in Your Ocean"
They performed many songs from their new album "Oooh-La-La," (now streaming on their website, linked above) as well as some of their hits. Not one of the "payday" songs was performed without some back story and self-deprecating humor. Their music has always had a certain joyful darkness to it, inlaid with aspects of Brad's personality, but being in that intimate setting with them really brought it to bare. Maybe I've been warped by too many years of CBC programming while growing up, but his sense of humor is definitely mine. I must buy this man a beer.
If you ever get a chance to see these folks in action, I highly recommend you go. I also recommend you leave the kids or people who are easily offended at home. Mr. Roberts has a glorious potty mouth.
Here is a great video about the process for the new album:
From the new album: And It's Beautiful:
One of my faves, they did that night. "Swimming in Your Ocean"
30.1.11
6.8.10
File Under: "The Last Goodbye" WTF
Last night my wife and I attended the first night performance of "The Last Goodbye" at the Williamstown Theatre Festival. This piece born from The Bard's "Romeo and Juliet" and Jeff Buckley's music was mid-wifed by adapter/director Michael Kimmel (for more on the back ground read here). Right off the bat, this union is treading dangerous lands. The fans of both works would not be a silent bunch if they felt that justice had not been done. As a (non-rabid) fan of both, I feel that the crafting of this production was done with love and care for the source material. Although the blending is not always seamless, it is never jarring and will be smoother as the production matures. I will be so bold as to say that Shakes was still the master of this domain. Even though the lyrics and textures of Buckley's work are beyond that of so many musicians, they don't always keep pace with that of William S. However, Leonard Cohen interpreted by Jeff Buckley ("Hallelujah") overcame the centuries old wordsmith.
The technical side of the production was very well done, with only a couple of issues for my part. The spot operators were not always as even of hand as they could be. I was more than a few times distracted by them trying to find their prey. I'm sure that will smooth out with more shows. The other complaint may or may not be directed to the sound board. Both my wife and I had a hard time hearing Tybalt (Ashley Robinson) during "Haven't You Heard." I had no problem hearing this fine young actor at other points in the performance, so I am lead to believe, it was the mix that caused his voice to be lost in the music.
One, can't discuss this performance without mentioning the choreography of Sonya Tayeh (So You Think You Can Dance). I can tell you it's not for everyone, her work is often disquieting and finds it's beauty in a darker place. It is therefore perfectly suited for the gathering storm of this piece. The cast executed at varying levels of competence, I won't break each down but I would like to point out Jo Lampert (Mercutio), as an amazing dancer.
The singing, oh my the singing. Not always pitch perfect, but definitely in the moment, definitely inside the character and more than enough to drive the theme and elicit an emotional response from the audience. The entire cast was vocally up to the challenge, but once again Jo Lampert (Mercutio) blew me away with the strength of her performance. E and I were agreed that she veritably stole the first act by the power of her work. I would also like to note Celina Carvajal (Rosaline) for having an amazing set of pipes and Nick Blaemire (Benvolio) for doing justice to the beloved "Hallelujah," which closed out the play, well done sir.
To be honest, I went into this most worried about the Shakespeare. I'm a picky, picky man when it comes to the performance of his works. So often the nuances of pain and humor are lost for some reason. Not so in this case, either through the director's efforts or that of the cast, they found them. They mined them out and set them forth to my laughter and heartache. To be honest, I could have watched this cast perform the original "Romeo and Juliet," and been perfectly content.
My wife has said that she has read and seen "Romeo and Juliet" several times and has never so desperately wanted the ending to be different. This performance so moved her, that she truly felt for these "star crossed lovers" and their plight. Let's face it, we've all wished them dead during a particularly bad performance, so to have moist eyes at the conclusion is a truly momentous occasion.
In all, Michael Kimmel has brought forth a work that has blended the best of two masters into one hell of a theatrical force. I have little doubt that this show will move to Broadway (cast intact please), and that Tony nominations will be forth coming. I highly suggest you find a way to see this play before it closes out in Williamstown, you better call soon, I hear they're around 90% sold out.
The technical side of the production was very well done, with only a couple of issues for my part. The spot operators were not always as even of hand as they could be. I was more than a few times distracted by them trying to find their prey. I'm sure that will smooth out with more shows. The other complaint may or may not be directed to the sound board. Both my wife and I had a hard time hearing Tybalt (Ashley Robinson) during "Haven't You Heard." I had no problem hearing this fine young actor at other points in the performance, so I am lead to believe, it was the mix that caused his voice to be lost in the music.
One, can't discuss this performance without mentioning the choreography of Sonya Tayeh (So You Think You Can Dance). I can tell you it's not for everyone, her work is often disquieting and finds it's beauty in a darker place. It is therefore perfectly suited for the gathering storm of this piece. The cast executed at varying levels of competence, I won't break each down but I would like to point out Jo Lampert (Mercutio), as an amazing dancer.
The singing, oh my the singing. Not always pitch perfect, but definitely in the moment, definitely inside the character and more than enough to drive the theme and elicit an emotional response from the audience. The entire cast was vocally up to the challenge, but once again Jo Lampert (Mercutio) blew me away with the strength of her performance. E and I were agreed that she veritably stole the first act by the power of her work. I would also like to note Celina Carvajal (Rosaline) for having an amazing set of pipes and Nick Blaemire (Benvolio) for doing justice to the beloved "Hallelujah," which closed out the play, well done sir.
To be honest, I went into this most worried about the Shakespeare. I'm a picky, picky man when it comes to the performance of his works. So often the nuances of pain and humor are lost for some reason. Not so in this case, either through the director's efforts or that of the cast, they found them. They mined them out and set them forth to my laughter and heartache. To be honest, I could have watched this cast perform the original "Romeo and Juliet," and been perfectly content.
My wife has said that she has read and seen "Romeo and Juliet" several times and has never so desperately wanted the ending to be different. This performance so moved her, that she truly felt for these "star crossed lovers" and their plight. Let's face it, we've all wished them dead during a particularly bad performance, so to have moist eyes at the conclusion is a truly momentous occasion.
In all, Michael Kimmel has brought forth a work that has blended the best of two masters into one hell of a theatrical force. I have little doubt that this show will move to Broadway (cast intact please), and that Tony nominations will be forth coming. I highly suggest you find a way to see this play before it closes out in Williamstown, you better call soon, I hear they're around 90% sold out.
17.5.10
19.4.10
File Under: Grace Potter and the Nocturnals - Record Store Day
*I have taken the video down per the band's management's polite request.*
Sorry about the shakiness. Flip cameras don't have image stabilization and my hand kept cramping.
Sorry about the shakiness. Flip cameras don't have image stabilization and my hand kept cramping.
6.11.09
File Under: Clayton Sabine and the Blackout Lottery - It's Alright
I do believe this here video was shot during the Crown of Maine Balloon Fest 2009.
17.8.09
File Under: Charlie A'Court House Party Webcast
I received this info via e-mail and just had to share:
House Concert!!!!
The “KraftRs” are thrilled to present: Singer/Songwriter, Soul and Blues Artist: Charlie A’Court In a House Concert on August 23rd, 8:00 - 10:00PM, Atlantic time
The good news? We will be webcasting the show live, so you can watch along with us!!
More information will be posted later at http://4squirrels.wordpress.com . As will the link to watch live!!!
photo credit - Charlie's Facebook page- fan photos
House Concert!!!!
The “KraftRs” are thrilled to present: Singer/Songwriter, Soul and Blues Artist: Charlie A’Court In a House Concert on August 23rd, 8:00 - 10:00PM, Atlantic time
The good news? We will be webcasting the show live, so you can watch along with us!!
More information will be posted later at http://4squirrels.wordpress.com . As will the link to watch live!!!
photo credit - Charlie's Facebook page- fan photos
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