New Years Tour 2007

[Snowbird]

Tour: New Years 2007
12/31/07 Grace Potter and the Nocturnals in Burlington,VT Higher Ground United States

12/29/07 Grace Potter and the Nocturnals in Burlington,VT Higher Ground United States

12/28/07 Grace Potter and the Nocturnals in Burlington,VT Higher Ground United States

[Snowbird]

Tedheadone Higher Ground 12/28/2007 Lead [-]


Nocturnican
Posts: 509
(12/29/07 12:35:40)

Hats OFF to our generous band for their benefit perfomance for Vermont Parkinsons. And hats off, again, to FrenchSteph for making the request, and then making it happen. And hats off, as well, to all the volunteers that helped Steph. A sold out crowd heard a few words about Stephs Dad, who was taken by this disease just as the band started the Mule tour. And those of us close to the stage might have noticed his framed picture on the amp behind Grace. Fittingly, next to an owl. This was a big night for Steph and her two older brothers, both in attendance. Bittersweet, I'm sure. Sadness at the loss, but joy in the chance to celebrate.

Opener Swale brought their unique sound to a big stage to a tepid response from a crowd clearly waiting to see what the Nocturnals were up to after the Mule tour. And to say the sound was tight would be an understatement. Barely a breath between the first several songs, the band powered through a trio of songs before an extended exploratory open to "Treat Me Right".

At sound check, Grace commented "Golden Oldies Night".

Indeed, some old friends, MIA but not forgotten, made their way into the set list tonight. I expect to hear some others before the run is over. Someone (was that you, Abbey?) asked me if we might hear "Kissing in a Tree"? Umm, no, I would guess not..but HEY! Who Knows? (Who Knows was not in the set list, by the way...)

Highlights tonight:

Ragged Company was a pleaser, and a spontaneous singalong.

Joey: long time, no hear

Gumbo Moon: completes the three pak of oldies. Great encore with Scott crankin'

Meantime: Opened the night with Bryans powerful bass "lead"

Take it All away: Matt's incessant beat

Treat: Grace's B-3 was a standout

Ragged moved right into Gettin in Tune: Matt channeled Keith and Scott honored Pete Townsend. SWEET

Bus: Matt added a new double beat

Paris: Intro fooled me, thought it was Arms Length....Grace chopped Scotts guitar body with her headstock in close quarters

Watchin You: a highlight tonight and featuring a nice reverb on vocals. This song just builds to an explosive release.

Coming Up: 70's night NYE WHAT? My bellbottoms are in the Smithsonian. Also, Bryan hoping for the FedEX arrival of a new piece of equipment to add some texture to a few of the exploratory song opens and endings.

An extremely strong opening night. And while I thought the same in Boston earlier this month, that opener was followed by 2 nights successively "bigger". Hard to imagine the next 2 nights exceeding this ballstothewall performance.

Fashion note: Grace in a black scoop T with painted silver metallic front, brown leather pants and heeld shoes. Band in, well, jeans and a T shirt. Matt's hat grey with festive red band.

Scene in the crowd: Pere Potter, frere Tournet, Betsy and Bill, Mgr.Justin in from LA via NYC, Aya, Dina, repeat offenders Abbey (from Maryland) and Casey, Adrienne, SiennaLuke and Mrs., Dave (or was it Jim ) from Rutland, tipiboy, a new glow-in-the-dark, color changin gnome on the drum riser. New puppy Kick.Conspicuous by their absence-Kelly. AND NATE!!

THE CREW: Mark-making the sound just right. Danny, smooth as silk as he swings low across the stage fixing monitors, pedals, drums. Kevin makin it all bright. And last but WAY not least Jen. Laid low and voiceless Thursday, and a mere frog in the pipes tonight, just rallying BIGTIME, to get a smile on and run the show. No bigger compliment then to be called a GAMER. I want her on MY team, doesn't matter what the game is!


Set list:

Meantime
Ah Mary
Take it all Away
Treat
Ain't No Time
Mastermind
Ragged Company
Gettin in Tune
Stop The Bus
Sinking Man
Paris
Joey
Lose Some Time
Watching You
NBTW w/ 4 way
////////////////////
Gumbo Moon
Big White

jazzman Re: Higher Ground 12/29/2007 #1 [-]

Member
Posts: 98
(12/29/07 13:17:56)

Thanks for the report, Ted. I wish I could have been there.

vtforme Re: Higher Ground 12/29/2007 #2 [-]

Fan
Posts: 239
(12/29/07 15:12:14)

Ted, I checked my birth certificate and it is Jim. How did you know?
As usual a great review. I wrote a review for the show on the street team forum. I was thinking about coping it here but you took some pretty heavy hits for the name thing so maybe I'll keep it where it is. Jim/Dave/whatever

carrjo2 Re: Higher Ground 12/29/2007 #3 [-]

Fan
Posts: 310
(12/29/07 17:01:33)
ReplyQuoteMore
My Recent Posts Van,

Great review, felt like I was there. See ya NYE.

John

[Snowbird]

Tedheadone Higher Ground 12/29/2007 Lead [-]


Nocturnican
Posts: 509
(12/31/07 15:10:30)

Split Loyalties: Sophies Choice. Patriots quest for a perfect season, or Nocturnals pursuit of the perfect song. What's a boy to do? After much discussion, a reasonable compromise is worked out. The front lounge of Higher Ground has a projection TV. It can be viewed from a balcony off the second floor reached through an unused dressing room. Permission granted from the boss to view from here. I can watch the game with Jen and Steph, then cut through the dressing across the hall, and on to the balcony looking out, over Grace's B-3, to the stage. Which I do. Relentlessly. Catching pieces of songs, and series of plays. Doing justice to neither, a man can only have one master. But finally, I can sneak downstairs to Danny and tell him 16-0 is a done deal. And I can concentrate on the rest of the show.

Perfection: Not only the Patriots but Over Again. After the show, Mark is really pleased, feeling that the version tonight "might just be the best they have ever done"

Highlights tonight:

Sweet Hands: Tonights blast from the past pleasing the hometown crowd. A crowd more likely to have heard this song back when it was in regular rotation.

Apologies to.... Over Again: Tender to tough.

Jet Airliner: Just a joyous version that received a mid song funkification. Nice beat. Talking to Matt afterwards, we both note how it is fun to watch the look of recognition come over a crowd when they take a familiar song and Nocturnalize it.

Look For: Several first time covers (5?) in the NYE show. Last year, they rolled out Come Together, Sex Machine, and Tonight's the Night.

Scene in the crowd:Mr. P & daughter Charlotte, M&M Tournet in front of me, (as they left the stage, I read her lips as Mrs. T whispered in Mr T's ear "that's our baby!"....sorry, Scott!!), Adrienne, Aya, and Tekawitha.

Set List
Mastermind
Treat
Bus
Meantime
Falling
Mary
Ain't No Time
Take it all away
Paris
Sinking Man
NBTW elctric start, 4 way drum
Sweet Hands
Apologies
Over Again
Big White Gate
Jet Airliner
///////////////
POYH w/ opener Hoots and Hellmouth


jazzman Re: Higher Ground 12/29/2007 #1 [-]


Member
Posts: 98
(12/31/07 15:59:57)
Oh man...I missed Jet Airliner. I have yet to see them perform that song. I am now officially jealous.

greppson Re: Higher Ground 12/29/2007 #2 [-]

Member
Posts: 74
(01/05/08 15:01:57)

Here's my recording. Sorry I wasn't able to make it the other nights cause of work. I have already put in for the time off for next year. I will be there for sure if we happen to be GRACEd with, well, the Grace's presence (and the Nocs as well) again!

16-bit: http://www.archive.org/details/gptn2007-12-29..m1290c.flac16
24-bit: http://www.archive.org/details/gptn2007-12-29.m1290c.flac24

vtforme Re: Higher Ground 12/29/2007 #3 [-]


Fan
Posts: 239
(01/05/08 17:04:47)

Thanks greppson I posted links over on the street team forum. There has been a lot of talk about if there was any tapers. You came to our rescue. Again thatnks from everyone. Dave

greppson Re: Higher Ground 12/29/2007 #4 [-]


Member
Posts: 74
(01/05/08 19:08:47)

I had tickets for the 28th and no one would cover my shift. Got to work and realized I should have just called out and gone to the show instead, there was no business anyways. Ugh.

Next year, for sure! All 3 nights!

tipiboy Re: Higher Ground 12/29/2007 #5 [-]

Fan
Posts: 461
(01/06/08 11:14:10)

Thanks Jason!

LoveThatRhodes Re: Higher Ground 12/29/2007 #6 [-]

Fan
Posts: 128
(01/09/08 20:05:02)

I'm listening to this show now, and Scott's guitar work has really become pretty phenomenal. This show is exactly a year after I first saw them, not to say that GPTN weren't any good when I first saw them, they were excellent.

Seems like so long since I saw them for the first time, and I've seen them 4 times now. There's no other band I'd want to see live so many times in a year like that. [Except for maybe Led Zeppelin....]

Just wanted to say good job guys

vtforme Re: Higher Ground 12/29/2007 #7 [-]

Fan
Posts: 239
(01/10/08 07:41:34)

To add to your post lovethatrhodes. They have improved so much in that year, not that they were bad back then but they just contiue to grow as a band and individual musicians. I'm personally getting very excited about there next cd. No I have no clue when just that I beleive they signed a 2 cd contract with Hollywood Records

[Snowbird]

Tedheadone Higher Ground 12/31/2007 Lead [-]


Nocturnican
Posts: 509
(01/01/08 17:14:09)

They Did It: From my first show post..."An extremely strong opening night. And while I thought the same in Boston earlier this month, that opener was followed by 2 nights successively "bigger". Hard to imagine the next 2 nights exceeding this ballstothewall performance" (ed. note..is it ok to quote myself?)

And while you might recall I didn't really see the whole second show due to that Pesky Patriots Perfection Pursuit issue, I can tell you that the 14 song opening SET, by itself, might just satisfy any longtime listener as a Top Three show ever, they just happened to, oh, by the way, add on a simply rollickin' second set chock full of covers that successively amazed and delighted the sold out revelers on New Years Eve 2008.

Taking my spot by the corner of the B-3, and joined by Carrjo, vtforme Dave, tipiboy (woo HOO!) and Mainiac we wait and wonder..


Billed on the site as "70's Night", Grace took the stage at 10:22 in a black and white big polka dot/geometeric number, white go-go boots, topped with teased hair. And while the hair was teased, and she shook it all seductively during set closer "Watching You" (prompting Mom to exclaim GRAAAACE?), there was no teasing here.....just deliverance.

HIGHLIGHTS, FIRST SET:

Grace: strong, strong, strong all set...as was Scott

Treat: Little bit slower version

Stop Bus: Fog Fairy appeared delivering, well, fog to the stage. Nice wings..

Meantime: Bryan continues to own this. Nice, huh?

Joey: Sweet little slide guitar action

Pain in My Heart: Standout version, delivered with all the soul that Otis Redding did originally

Take It All Away: Matt brings some new flourishes

Every Mile: Great to hear Bryan and Scott vocal harmony.

Watching You: Nice reverb on the line "I know you can love me"

Just a great set, top to bottom...and they leave the stage at 11:45. House lights stay down during the brief break.

The decision to take Sunday off and replace it with a lengthy practice paid off in spades. Now, they are ready for 70's Night!

Matt comes center stage wearing a skyblue T-shirt with palm trees, big shades and tight pink hip hugger bell bottoms. For the sake of his dignity, let's call 'em "coral". In a southern accent he wonders if we are ready to party. And if we aren't, once we see Grace we are....she strolls out with big round sunglasses, in a tight knit low cut striped top over tight peachy bell bottoms. Oh, yea, with a red curly Afro. Little Orphan Annie goes over to the "tart" side. Yowza. Scott looks oh so seventies in a cannabis T-shirt, and Bryan has polyestersized. And managed to shave off his beard in the 9 minute break, leaving what was described post show as a "70's porn star mustache" or "butch YMCA cop". Double yowza.

Grace leads a countdown, balloons are dropped, she heads to the Rhodes for a version of Auld Lang Syne. And when its over, leans over the Rhodes, and picks a fan to plant a big New Years kiss on. Me.

And joined in by an additional guitarist, and later a sax player who both shall remain nameless, due to my incompetency, launch into a 70's dream set.

Highlights tonight, 2nd set: EVERY ONE

Seriously, just go below to the set list, it was so much fun.

Highlights highlight; During War's Low Rider the Fog Fairy parades out holding a sign overhead that says More Cowbell (a reference to a classic SNL skit featuring Chris Walken and Will Ferrell on Blue Oyster Cults Dont Fear The Reaper) Following him are two comely ladies playing cowbells. The one in the sparkly dress is Graces sister Charlotte.

Post show, Little Orphan Annie launching into a few bars of "The Sun Will Come Out Tomorrow, Ethel Merman style!

encore NBTW wowed with 4 way drum solo during which Grace called out the Cowbell Chorus for their own encore in support of the drum solo

Skynards Tuesdays Gone closed out the set. And while I know the party will go on, I am determined to get a few hours sleep before hitting the highway to beat an impending snowstorm back to Mass. Hitting the road at 8 AM sharp after 3 hours sleep, I see a few flakes but thats it. I also see SIX speed traps and tewo other cars pulled over. I think the cops are just getting pre-positioned for the mayhem sure to follow. Folks leaving hours later are stuck bumper to bumper.

Scene in the crowd: Placid People John and Katie, Aya, Steph, Dina, Adrienne, M&M Potter & crew & Uncle Morgan, and finally, Kelly, all dressed up for a night out.

Soooooooit was a fantastic four nights in the Green Mountain state. Many thanks to the band, JEN (glad you are feeling better, the sun will work wonders!!!), Mark and Danny. Have fun on the cruise, soak up the sun, not so much the rum. Good luck on the next legsee you on the road

SET ONE

Mary
Mastermind
Treat
Bus
Meantime
Joey
Pain in My Heart
Aint No Time
Big white gate
Take it all away
Sinking Man
Every Mile
Paris
Watching You

SET TWO:

Auld Lang Syne
Sweet Emotion Aerosmith
Right Place, Wrong Time Dr. John, The Night Tripper
Low Rider WAR
Slow Ride Foghat
Mystery Train Junior Parker
Getting in Tune The Who
Farmer John Neil Young
Jet Airliner Paul Pena, via Steve Miller
////////////////////
Nothing But The Water
Tuesdays Gone Skynard



vtsnowbird26 Re: Higher Ground 12/31/2007 #1 [-]

Fan
Posts: 261
(01/01/08 17:34:16)

All I can say is WOW. Guess I really missed a good one. Thanks for bringing it to life - what a wild second set - and vintage costume/hair in the form of afros and mutton chops!!?? Thanks for sharing as always.

Snowbird

vtforme Re: Higher Ground 12/31/2007 #2 [-]

Fan
Posts: 239
(01/01/08 17:57:07)

Thanks Ted A great review as always. Next year I'm wearing lifts so I can jump in front of you and steal that kiss.
The other Cow bell Choir member was Hannarenae from the GPTN street team.
Guest musicians were Benny Yurco (Guitar) and Steve Sharon (Drums) both from Blues and Lasers. I don't remember who the Sax player was either.

carrjo2 Re: Higher Ground 12/31/2007 #3 [-]

Fan
Posts: 310
(01/01/08 18:07:03)

Van,

I think I just had a flashback with that review. I had a great time hanging up front with you. Next stop for me will be Atlanta,Jan 19th taking sis to her first GP&N show at Smith's. Then the Feb. run 16h D.C.,17th Willmington Del, 20th Ridgefield Ct.,21st NYC. and I giving some thought to going back to Ct on the 22nd and then Portsmouth on the 23rd.

John

CSDaSmack Re: Higher Ground 12/31/2007 #4 [-]

Fan
Posts: 159
(01/01/08 19:32:54)

Great review Van, I saw ya front and center, I was on the opposite end by Scott, what a show!
- Chris

Photo link:
http://www.brusabass.com/images/gptn/higher_ground.htm