April 13, 2013

Concert #671 - Venice at McCabe's Guitar Shop (April 12, 2013)


Q: Was this your first time to see Venice in concert?
A: First time, indeed.

Q: How come? These guys have quite a following and have you seen the list of musicians they have played with?
A: Yes, I have, and I'm impressed, but somehow the band managed to stay below my radar for all these years. There's nothing wrong with my radar, but it's just impossible to be on top of absolutely everything that's good in the world of music. 

Q: In maximum four words, how was the show?
A: I can't answer in four words.

Q: Why's that?
A: Because last night's show was both boring and engaging. Boring in the beginning and totally engaging toward the end.

Q: Care to elaborate?
A: Well, first let me set the stage. Friday night concerts are tough for me. I'm usually tired after a long week in the office, then it takes me more than an hour to get to McCabe's, so when the show finally starts, I'm in a state of near-collapse. At that point, what I need is a shot in the arm delivered by a high-energy artist who dazzles me with music, wit and most of all, a fast-paced performance.

Q: So you didn't get that last night, did you?
A: Not in the beginning. When we walked in, we saw on the stage four chairs that weren't suggesting anything involving high energy.

The stage
Q: Tell me more.
A: The four Lennons, Kipp, Mark, Michael and Pat, came out to a rousing reception, complete with screams of "We love you". They opened with a few slow-ish song, and so it went for a while. To these ears, the show just wasn't taking off and after thirty minutes or so, I felt I'd be in for a long night.

Q: Are you saying they were bad?
A: Not at all. Their voices were great, the harmonies were there, but the music just didn't grab me. The songs, while nicely crafted, carried no punch and the fact that they were all new to me did not help matters. "The Point" was the only song from the first half of the show that caught my attention.

Q: But then something changed, didn't it?
A: Midway through the show, all of a sudden, things changed for me, even though the band kept doing what they had been doing. Songs like "For A Kiss", "The Only Love I Had" and "Fingers Crossed" managed to win me over and from that point on, I found the show quite entertaining and by the time they played the set-ending "Think Again", I was clapping along with everybody else.

The set list

Q: Did you like the voices of the Lennons?
A: The answer is yes. I liked both lead vocalists, Kipp and Mark, and the harmonies of the band were good, too.

Q: Did the band members play their usual roles?
A: Yes. They all sang, with Kipp and Mark handling the lead vocal duties. Pat and Michael played a few different acoustic guitars. Michael also played the piano.

Q: How about their personalities?
A: They all seemed to be fun to be around. Their stage banter appeared to be unscripted and was not excessive.

Mark & Kipp Lennon at McCabe's

Pat & Mark Lennon at McCabe's

Q: Did they do any covers of famous songs?
A: No, and I definitely could have used hearing a familiar tune or two. I think they wrote all the songs they played last night, with the exception of "When I'm Gone", a brand new Mark Harris composition. Mark was there last night, he played bass and made a good impression on me. 

Q: The best song of the evening?
A: My vote goes for the infectious "One More Song", one of the best encore numbers you'll ever hear, a song that is guaranteed to produce a standing ovation.

Q: Any other musician on stage with the band?
A: Percussionist Rich Mangicaro completed the band's rhythm section. He was good. 

Kipp & Michael Lennon (with Mark Harris in the background)
Mark (seated) and Kipp at the end of the show
Q: Did the show sell out?
A: Yes, it sold out weeks before the show. There was a late show as well, also a sell-out.

Q: Can you give me one final assessment of the show?
A: Overall, I'm glad I went to see Venice. I got to see an internationally known band with an exceptional resume. And how often do I get to see so much talent in a single family? It just happened that I was in the mood for some harder-hitting music and it took me some time to accept the softer edges of their music.


The merch table
"When I'm Gone" - Lyrics sheet
Poster in the window at McCabe's

April 7, 2013

Concert #670 - Jill Sobule at McCabe's Guitar Shop (April 6, 2013)


Q: So how was last night's concert?
A: It was thoroughly enjoyable. Jill was at her delightful best, vocally and otherwise. Everything she did connected with me big time. I love her music and I adore the way she delivers it from the stage, with her warm personality and her never-ending smile. And she's got a sense of humor, too. As far as I'm concerned, Jill is the real deal. 

Q: Was there an opening act?
A: No.

Q: Did Jill follow a predetermined set list?
A: Not at all. The entire show had a "living room" feel, with Jill taking multiple requests from the audience.

Q: So you don't have a printed set list, do you?
A: I don't, but here are the songs she performed, some solo, others with company: 

Resistance Song (the show opener)
When They Say "We Want Our America Back"
Where Is Bobbie Gentry
Rainy Day Parade
Mexican Wrestler
San Francisco (with Margaret Cho)
Jet Pack
Lucy At The Gym
Bitter 
Big Shoes
Under The Disco Ball
Somewhere In New Mexico
Wendell Lee
Never My Love (the old hit of the Association)
Good Life (grand finale)
Underdog Victorious (encore)

Q: Any guests? 
A: Yes, Jill brought out three unannounced guests

Q: Who were they?
A: Margaret Cho, Wayne Kramer and Dan Wilson.

Left to right: Dan Wilson, Wayne Kramer, Jill Sobule, Margaret Cho

Q: Did you know who they were?
A: I knew Margaret Cho from her frequent TV appearances and I was aware of Wayne Kramer's association with MC5. On the other hand, I knew nothing about Dan Wilson.  

Q: How did Margaret Cho do as a singer?
A: Surprisingly well. I knew her as a comedian and actress, but she can sing as well. I liked her voice on "San Francisco", a song she performed alongside Jill. She also sang one of her own compositions, but I don't remember the title. Margaret Cho, the musician, appeared to be in her element up there on the stage.

Q: Any moments of levity?
A: Of course. Plenty. At one point, Jill called her Mom on the phone and, with the cell phone held close to the microphone, we all got to hear her Mom sing a few lines from "Big Shoes". 

Jill Sobule talking on the phone with her Mom
Q: Any coarse language on the stage?
A: There were a few F-bombs thrown in here and there by Jill, Margaret and Dan. Usually I don't appreciate foul language on the stage, especially when used by women performers, but someone as likeable as Jill will get away with almost anything. Heck, she even got me to sing along the expletive-filled chorus of "When They Say We Want Our America Back"!

Q: What was the highlight of the show?
A: Oh, it had to be "A Good Life", performed by Jill, Margaret, Wayne and Dan together, complete with crowd participation. That song gave me good vibes that stayed with me for hours.

Q: What about Wayne Kramer
A: Wayne came out with an acoustic guitar and sang two songs solo, with no one else on the stage. First he did his own "Bad Seed", then he followed up with "High School", an old MC5 song. He made a good impression on me.

Wayne Kramer of MC5 fame at McCabe's
Q: How about Dan Wilson?
A: He sang two of his own songs, "Your Brighter Days" and "All Kinds". I liked the latter better. Considering the brevity of his set, I think he spoke a little too much. After I got home, I googled him and that's when I learned about his Grammy-winning work and career in general. Very impressive.

Grammy-winner Dan Wilson
Q: So would you want to see Jill again in concert?
A: The answer is a resounding yes. I like her recordings, but her live shows are something truly special.

Wayne Kramer, Margaret Cho and Jill Sobule at the end of the show
Jill Sobule chatting with fans after the show
The merch table
The stage