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Tedheadone
12-29-2010, 01:09 PM
With the recent Winter Solistice, and my afternoon departure, the sun is low over the mountains as I head across Vermont. The white blanket is a perfect contrast to the crisp blue skies always present after a big storm. And the low bushes and grasses tht peak thru the snow cover are rendered golden by the last rays of the day. It's a beautiful ride.

Arriving at the 'jammer, I see Klaus, and slam on the brakes and slide to a stop. He waits while I check in, and we head to the salad bar for a quick bite. His daughter Svenja, at UVM, wanted to go back to Germany for NYE with her boyfriend, so they pass in the sky. He's here solo. Klaus has upcoming tours arranged for Aya, Joshua Panda, and Lowell Thompson, who he is headed to see tonight, meaning he will miss tonights show.

But not me.... :-)

Because the lounge is not in use, Higher Ground has let peeps in to wait in the warm- and sell them cold drinks- and is assigning numbers and letting people in with thedse numbers when doors open.

I take a spot along the rail with lots o friends andf familiar faces, Opener Chamberlin is mighty well received in their long opening set that included a sit it by their producer Scott T. They have been added as opener for the first leg of the tour, a nice start for this impressive young five piece band.

The Nocs hit the sold out room ready to rumble. But first let me say I LOVE MY EARPLUGS! {My ears have been ringing since I discovered Led Zep I & II at the same time in the fall of '69. I can pinpoint it. On the floor, cannabis-hazed, my head between two loudspeakers, and "Whole Lotta Love" on "11"... seriously, my ears have been "zinging" since that moment.} Custom fitted, silicone molded, and I had to drive into Boston this morning to pick them up from the Dr. First time in my ears was after Chamberlin, so I have to admit, it took me 2-3 songs to adapt. I missed the VOLUME at first, but then, when that became the new normal, I discovered that for me, the new normal included crystal clarity. Every note sung, every guitar string strummed, every cymbal struck. The only fuzz in there is intentional, and from Scott's foot controls. So, with continued use, I won't end up 85 years old, stone deaf, wondering where my social security check is.

Highlights tonight:

Ah, Mary: Opened off stage, and they play it entering

Oasis:Scott nails.

Apologies: Folks, with my new ear plugs, I am amazed at how clear and widespread the audience sing along is

Ragged Company: Dedicated to H.G. owner Kevin "who's been behind us from the beginning". acoustic trio

Treat Me Right: acoustic trio, but ends rockin out when Cat and Matt return to finish it off.

Tiny Light: Scott rips a shorter version, Cat gets down shoeless

White Rabbit: Benny leads Scott down the Alice in W
Wonderland guitar wormhole

NBTW: when was the last time you heard a Lake get a shout-out in an intro? Champlain blushes.

Bus: near the end the front four form a semi-circle, and ease it into a nasty version of Down By The River.

Finally, a special highlight tonight is the job that Justin is doing on merch..., lots of new stuff, and KILLER display and inventory system. Nice job!!

Scene in the crowd. Guava's Abbey and Casey, Dave, Nancy, Jan, Kim from Netherlands, Elaine, Keriberry, Tipi, Trisha, Stan from Ohio, John from Cork and Bottle, eric, Lee, Sparky, Uncles Morgan and Gordy, Benny's bros' and Dad.

Not scene or heard....Sadly, Belladonna.

setlist:
Mary
Only Love
Sweet hands
Money
Oasis
Apologies
Ragged Co
Treat Me right these two trio
Joey
Tiny Light
BWG
White rabbit
2:22
NBTW
Medicine
////////////////
Bus>>>
Down By The river
Paris

kcortez
12-29-2010, 01:33 PM
Keep pushin' for Belladonna. Maybe they'll play it when you are 85, looking for your SocSec check but still have the ears of a twenty year old.

eric
12-29-2010, 02:15 PM
Great run down of the show TH1. That Stop the Bus>Down by the River was sikness.

I just wanted to add Mallory, Andrew, Jared, and Heath to the list of posse peeps from this forum that were also in attendance last night. Anyone else reading this that was there? Post up and tell us what u thought of the show. Personally I thought the place was about to lauch off into outer space every time benny touched a guitar string

eric
12-29-2010, 02:45 PM
And TH1 THANX for the green GPN sticker! That was a highlight of the night right there! That and Cat gave us a piece of her birthday cake :-) (brownie). As well as the Chamberlin set they roked out no doubt. I bought the cd. Almost time to do it all again right about now

Dino Martini
12-29-2010, 03:40 PM
Does anyone know when Chamberlin's new CD is set to drop?

kcortez
12-29-2010, 03:54 PM
March

Trish
12-29-2010, 04:10 PM
Great review, Van, and also a much needed reminder that my ear plugs won't do me any good if I keep forgetting them in the car or taking them out during the show because I miss the buzzing and thumping in my head. I'll admit I'm pretty certain my hearing isn't what it was a year ago. The "new normal" ... I like that. Time to get used to it ... far better than not being able to hear GPN at all in a few years. Wouldn't want to miss anything they have in store for us!

Speaking of change being good, first time in awhile that I haven't been organside, and I must say it was a real treat to end up on Benny and Cat's side of the stage. Had great sound on Benny all night and he sounded incredible. Watching him, I honestly forgot about the amazing singer and other awesome guitar player on the other side of the stage at moments during this show. Cat looked really happy and it was great to have her back. They're so much fun to watch interacting and goofing around with each other - at one point Benny had his head under Cat's arm while they were both playing and neither missed a note. My new normal might have to include a whole lot more time on their side of the stage.

Gotta point out Grace's shoes for those looking through the photos. Might just be the best shoes ever ... okay, well maybe not for walking around in snow drifts up here, but definitely the best rock star shoes ever. Worth the price admission just to see those shoes.

toofarnorth
12-29-2010, 08:19 PM
your Vicarious New Years - Chapter 1 is much appreciated, Van . . looking forward to the next 4 . . ( I'm assuming you're there for the week )

wags
12-29-2010, 08:26 PM
Benny is the man! He's my MVP alot because of what he brings out of everyobe else. If Benny is peanut butter than Scott is jelly. Those two are really super sick. Sorry just dropping some fan love.....