Re: Live in the Blue Room (two nights)
Posted: Fri Mar 16, 2018 10:21 pm
OK, a quick word salad on the show last night, for those wondering. I'm just writing as it comes to me so bear with me.
There were no physical tickets for the show so our names were on a list. Had to have an ID match a name or you didn't get in. It was also a no-phones show. They put our phones in Yondr pouches and we carried around the pouch. I sincerely thought I would be apprehensive about this approach but turns out I'm a fan. It felt refreshing and different and I could see everyone's eyes. Next time I'll wear a watch though. I had to ask someone the time for the first time in over a decade. (but I thought that was cool) :)
I was going to stand in the back of the room because I've seen a lot of Blue Room shows and I'm a tall guy. Didn't want to get in anyone's way, there were lots of younger first-timers there. But I spotted my pal Tom up front right beside the stage by the door and I went over to socialize. It was such a cool spot and we weren't in front of anyone (all the way to the side) so that was my spot for the show. Turns out it was the perfect angle and I'll be trying to get there again for every Blue Room show in perpetuity.
There were no openers and no huge introduction. The band came out on stage and just started doing their thing. Right away I was impressed with Carla Azar on drums. She has style and power, I am a fan. And Dominic Davis was in rare form on bass, looking incredibly happy to be there and never slacking for a second. I'd never heard of Neal Evans and Quincy McCrary but they played double duty on a host of keyboards, which rounded out the sound throughout the night. They also added something new to "We're Going To Be Friends."
Jack came out looking cool as ever. His hair is back to White Stripes era and he had the coolest blue and black jacket I've ever seen. He grabbed a guitar, played the opening notes to "Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground" and we were off.
Right away what grabbed me was how much better the songs sounded without the softening touch of steel guitar and fiddle. Jack's guitar once again overwhelms the sound and there are no obvious distractions. The electronic wizardry of Evans and McCrary truly adds to the intensity without taking away the bite. "Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground" sounded almost like it must have sounded with the White Stripes but with another sort of edge. Not better, not worse. Different.
Then he launced in "Over and Over and Over" and "Corporation," both of which benefit GREATLY from a live performance. We were also the first audience ever to hear these (and other) songs live, which I'll admit was amazingly cool. "Over and Over and Over" works when you can see Jack's face and understand what he's trying to do with it. Same with "Corporation." You have to be in the presence of the band to finally "get" it. I wasn't a fan of either recording. "Over and Over and Over" seemed too repetitive and "Corporation" seemed like a good idea wasted by being too scattered. But live, they both work. These were meant to be live songs.
A quick jaunt through "Hypocritical Kiss" and we landed back on the new stuff with "Connected By Love." I thoroughly disliked the recording of this song. It was just rough for me. But live, without the strange backing vocals, it works. I think it's another instance of needing to see the performers to get it.
Then Jack took us back through time with "Cannon" and "John the Revelator" with much gusto and to wonderful effect. The way he played with Carla on the drums brought a smile to my face. They had fun and they ripped it up. I'd see a show with just Jack and Carla. Not to diminish the other guys but these two work WELL together.
Into "Love Interruption" and "Lazaretto" which have never sounded better. Sincerely, Jack and company were on point all night. Jack's voice sounded cooler and stronger than ever.
Into "Respect Commander" which still didn't quite grab me live. I mean, I get it, but it just doesn't move me. It's OK for what it is.
Then came "I Cut Like A Buffalo" which, I believe, is the first time I'd seen Jack play that song live. I could be wrong. But there in the Blue Room with this new stripped-down band it was absolute gold. He had FUN with this one. They all did. Man, how great. Great, great.
"Why Walk A Dog" was the only song all night that truly disappointed me. There just wasn't much to it and it lost my attention pretty quickly. I haven't heard the recording yet so I'll give it another chance when I spin the album.
"We're Going To Be Friends" was interesting. In a good way. I've never heard it performed like this and it absolutely worked. There were little bells and chimes from one of the keyboard players and Jack played the part of a shy kid asking someone to be his friend. He really got into it and was quite convincing. I was impressed. Great new version of this song. The best I've heard since the Stripes.
"What's Done is Done" is one of two standouts of the evening for me (the other is "Ice Station Zebra" in a moment). This is a SOLID tune and it is beautifully performed by Jack and Carla on vocals. This one took me by surprise. I didn't expect to like any of the new tunes this much. It was a pleasant surprise I'll always remember.
"Ball and Biscuit." Wonderful, as usual. And, again, much more intense and engaging without the steel guitar and fiddle. I felt like I was watching Jack perform this song for the first time. Remember, I never got to see the White Stripes live. This was pretty close.
Then came "Ice Station Zebra" which BLEW MY BRAINS OUT! The energy in this song was crazy! Excellent beat, hyper guitar, cool vocals and lyrics. Yeah, I dig this one a LOT. I can't wait to hear the recording.
He closed it out with "Sixteen Saltines" and a fantastic rendition of "Steady, As She Goes."
And that was it. The band left the stage. I had Yondr unlock my phone. I texted my wife I was leaving Nashville and I left Nashville.
There were no physical tickets for the show so our names were on a list. Had to have an ID match a name or you didn't get in. It was also a no-phones show. They put our phones in Yondr pouches and we carried around the pouch. I sincerely thought I would be apprehensive about this approach but turns out I'm a fan. It felt refreshing and different and I could see everyone's eyes. Next time I'll wear a watch though. I had to ask someone the time for the first time in over a decade. (but I thought that was cool) :)
I was going to stand in the back of the room because I've seen a lot of Blue Room shows and I'm a tall guy. Didn't want to get in anyone's way, there were lots of younger first-timers there. But I spotted my pal Tom up front right beside the stage by the door and I went over to socialize. It was such a cool spot and we weren't in front of anyone (all the way to the side) so that was my spot for the show. Turns out it was the perfect angle and I'll be trying to get there again for every Blue Room show in perpetuity.
There were no openers and no huge introduction. The band came out on stage and just started doing their thing. Right away I was impressed with Carla Azar on drums. She has style and power, I am a fan. And Dominic Davis was in rare form on bass, looking incredibly happy to be there and never slacking for a second. I'd never heard of Neal Evans and Quincy McCrary but they played double duty on a host of keyboards, which rounded out the sound throughout the night. They also added something new to "We're Going To Be Friends."
Jack came out looking cool as ever. His hair is back to White Stripes era and he had the coolest blue and black jacket I've ever seen. He grabbed a guitar, played the opening notes to "Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground" and we were off.
Right away what grabbed me was how much better the songs sounded without the softening touch of steel guitar and fiddle. Jack's guitar once again overwhelms the sound and there are no obvious distractions. The electronic wizardry of Evans and McCrary truly adds to the intensity without taking away the bite. "Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground" sounded almost like it must have sounded with the White Stripes but with another sort of edge. Not better, not worse. Different.
Then he launced in "Over and Over and Over" and "Corporation," both of which benefit GREATLY from a live performance. We were also the first audience ever to hear these (and other) songs live, which I'll admit was amazingly cool. "Over and Over and Over" works when you can see Jack's face and understand what he's trying to do with it. Same with "Corporation." You have to be in the presence of the band to finally "get" it. I wasn't a fan of either recording. "Over and Over and Over" seemed too repetitive and "Corporation" seemed like a good idea wasted by being too scattered. But live, they both work. These were meant to be live songs.
A quick jaunt through "Hypocritical Kiss" and we landed back on the new stuff with "Connected By Love." I thoroughly disliked the recording of this song. It was just rough for me. But live, without the strange backing vocals, it works. I think it's another instance of needing to see the performers to get it.
Then Jack took us back through time with "Cannon" and "John the Revelator" with much gusto and to wonderful effect. The way he played with Carla on the drums brought a smile to my face. They had fun and they ripped it up. I'd see a show with just Jack and Carla. Not to diminish the other guys but these two work WELL together.
Into "Love Interruption" and "Lazaretto" which have never sounded better. Sincerely, Jack and company were on point all night. Jack's voice sounded cooler and stronger than ever.
Into "Respect Commander" which still didn't quite grab me live. I mean, I get it, but it just doesn't move me. It's OK for what it is.
Then came "I Cut Like A Buffalo" which, I believe, is the first time I'd seen Jack play that song live. I could be wrong. But there in the Blue Room with this new stripped-down band it was absolute gold. He had FUN with this one. They all did. Man, how great. Great, great.
"Why Walk A Dog" was the only song all night that truly disappointed me. There just wasn't much to it and it lost my attention pretty quickly. I haven't heard the recording yet so I'll give it another chance when I spin the album.
"We're Going To Be Friends" was interesting. In a good way. I've never heard it performed like this and it absolutely worked. There were little bells and chimes from one of the keyboard players and Jack played the part of a shy kid asking someone to be his friend. He really got into it and was quite convincing. I was impressed. Great new version of this song. The best I've heard since the Stripes.
"What's Done is Done" is one of two standouts of the evening for me (the other is "Ice Station Zebra" in a moment). This is a SOLID tune and it is beautifully performed by Jack and Carla on vocals. This one took me by surprise. I didn't expect to like any of the new tunes this much. It was a pleasant surprise I'll always remember.
"Ball and Biscuit." Wonderful, as usual. And, again, much more intense and engaging without the steel guitar and fiddle. I felt like I was watching Jack perform this song for the first time. Remember, I never got to see the White Stripes live. This was pretty close.
Then came "Ice Station Zebra" which BLEW MY BRAINS OUT! The energy in this song was crazy! Excellent beat, hyper guitar, cool vocals and lyrics. Yeah, I dig this one a LOT. I can't wait to hear the recording.
He closed it out with "Sixteen Saltines" and a fantastic rendition of "Steady, As She Goes."
And that was it. The band left the stage. I had Yondr unlock my phone. I texted my wife I was leaving Nashville and I left Nashville.
