New Years Tour - 2006

[Snowbird]

Tour: New Years 2006

12/31/06 Grace Potter and the Nocturnals in Burlington,VT Higher Ground United States

12/30/06 Grace Potter and the Nocturnals in Burlington,VT Higher Ground United States

12/29/06 Grace Potter and the Nocturnals in Burlington,VT Higher Ground United States

[Snowbird]

Tedheadone
New Years Run


Nocturnican

Posts: 509

(01/01/07 16:02:10)



Oh man, I have all kinds of comments, but I am fried from 5:30 AM turn ins last two nights. I went to all three shows and would say that any worries about "rust" by the band were unfounded.. quite frankly, I thought the run started with a "9" and went past "10" the next 2 nights..

First, where was beautiful uber-fan Kelly?? She musta been someplace warm to miss these local shows..

Thanks to the long distance guys, the three guys that drove from Indiana plus Brian from Baltimore. They made the second two shows. Three guys stood right next to me at the corner of the B-3. It was 6 inches form the edge of the stage, which put me about 36 inches away from Grace when she was at the B-3.

Energy: It was an early crowd the first night. Doors at 8 with opener after 9. And this night, a lot of the crowd was in the room before 8:45. And, for the first time in my memory, there a break between sets for GPN. The first set was 11 songs, as was the second, with a 2 song encore. They left the stage at 1:24 after 24 songs and a stage time of 2:39. The crowd might have been tired..Scott did good naturedly say to the crowd "I can't hear you out there" . I told him afterwards that maybe it was because they were dumbstruck by the awesome extended solo on "Over Again" that he had just finished. It was jaw dropping...

New album not done, band leaves Tuesday or Wednesday to spend the month back in LA. Grace said from the stage (at various times) that Ain't No Time, Bella Donna, and Meantime were on it. I had a chance to hear Ain't No Time and Big White Gate that were recorded in Arizona last summer when they did a test run with producer Mike Daly. They sounded so great..! "Stop The Bus" will make it, as will "Lose Some Time" with a gorgeous 12 string and mandolin intro..which was played each of these shows.

Of new songs "Ah, Mary", "Mr. Columbus", and "Mastermind", the latter may have been my favorite. I don't recall any specific comment on these songs as to if they will make the cut. Grace did say they have 30 songs they are trying to record, so keep your fingers crossed for your own personal favorites. I will say, just as that as the band veered to perhaps a harder driving sound from what they originally recorded, not every song can or has to be a powerhouse...

My 2 cents on the new CD: It will sound great...As to content, if there is a philosophical decision to end it on a mellow note, I vote for "Falling or Flying". How POWERFUL a message it would be to have the final line of the album hanging in the air be "Play every show like it's your last".
(with digital single song sales versus whole album, is this a moot point today?) Maybe resurrect "Apologies" for wider distribution to close this album OR by shopping it to other artists. Grace could buy a house in Ireland for the royalties that getting a Faith Hill to release would bring. (well the land, at least). Just ask Lori McKenna....

Meantime: song has been tightened up with a new chorus. Yes, to long times fans, it is a shock. I could see it on Sienalukes face even though I had warned him it was coming- it's just not what's expected.

The 29th: Matt actually pounded the bass drum right off the riser in the middle of Mystery Train. Lose Some Time (sometimes noted in sets lists as Losing Time) was seated. Grace on guitar, Scott on lap slide, Bryan on mandolin, and Matt seated at the B-3 playing the squeeze box.

The 30th: 20 song double set. Matt had some interesting drum work on "Ah, Mary" . Tonight, a 3 song seated accoustic set. "Lose Some Time", the Stone's "No Expectations" and "POYH". Matt and squeeze box were standing tonight between Grace and Scott, and I could actually hear it. Real nice add to the song. Encore Neil Youngs "Farmer John" had Grace singing "I'm in love with your daughter" Stage time tonight for the 20 songs was 2:13 ending at 1:04

Set Lists:

Friday 12/29
Bus
Ah, MAry
Ain't No Time
Tothbrush
Arms Length
Meantime
Bella Donna
Take It All Away
Falling or Flying
Lose Some Time seated accoustic
Joey
2nd Set
Mystery Train
Night rolls On
Treat Me right
Mr Columbus
Big White Gate
Left Behind
Till The Morning Comes
Mastermind
Over Again
Every Mile
Delta
//////////////////
NBTW
POYH (with Steel Train)

Saturday 12/30
Set 1
NBTW
Bus
Treat
Mr Columbus
Bella Donna
Left Behind
Falling or Flying
Mystery Train
Set 2
Night Rolls On
Ah, Mary
Big White Gate
Toothbrush
Lose Some Time seated
No Expectations "
POYH "
Joey
Meantime
Mastermind
Over Again
/////////////////
Farmer John w/ Apollo Sunshine



Tedheadone Re: NYE Show #1 [-]

Nocturnican

Posts: 509

(01/01/07 17:31:50)


Well, they said it was gonna be fun and it was..

Opener Peter Prince and The Moon Boot Lovers played a nice set. The band picked some favorite openers for the three nights. Steel Train, Appollo Sunshine, and PP.

The festive crowd came was little later then the first night, but the house was full

The set list by the guitar stand had opener "Tonight's The Night". Visions of Rod Stewart danced in my head...the line "ain't nobody gonna stop us now" seemed like the perfect line for the band for the year ahead..except it was the Neil Young version that they played. I had forgotten it...

The first set was a short 7 young lineup, with two seated songs. Grace and Scott each pulled out a dollar and said it was all ours if we kept it quiet for the seated set, and we did, except of course, for the howls in POYH. They exited the stage at 11:22, a 48 minute set (saving time for later)

During the break, Jen put out setlists, but this time taping them on the drum risers and in front on Bryans amp. Could it be there are some surprises they don't want anyone up front to see??

They came back out shortly before midnight, Grace taking crowd pics with a Polaroid, tossing them to the stage. Father Time was spotted in the crowd. On stilts, he made his way to the edge of the stage, and, with alarm clock in hand, led the countdown, before falling, dead, backwards over a monitor on to the stage, Grace leading the crowd in a short version of Auld Lang Syne.

The set kicked off with the opening bass line to Beatle's "Come Together" done flawlessly. Grace then announced they wanted to pay tribute to one of the greats, recently departed. Peter Prince (and his drummer) came out to take the mic for James Brown's "Get Up/Sex Machine". It was an absolutely fantastic version put together at sound check. While I usually do the white man's shuffle, I was actually dancin' as was most of the crowd up front, along with Matt, who came center stage and just danced his ass off with stilt guy Father Time. Classic, memorable moment of a memorable night...Driving up to Vermont on Friday, I had listened to the classic "Live at the Apollo" and felt there HAD to be some recognition of the passing of the Godfather of Soul, the Hardest working MAN in Show Biz. Nothing doing on Friday, on Saturday the house sound ran a James Brown song during intermission- a little better- but here was an actual song performed with all the energy that JB brought to his show. Nicely done, GPN and PP, and thanks for payin' tribute. I'm pretty sure James would have said "If it's all right, its outa sight!...OWWW"

Next up was Pain in MY Heart, sounding vaguely familiar, I think it was The Stones from 1964, but Otis Redding did a different version. not sure which it was...

Most of the set from here out was smokin' . Grace acknowledged towards the end that she had been sick earlier in the week, and she had lost her voice "having fun tonight".
Not lost, just some range adjustments actually.

A steamy version of "Delta" closed the second set, and as the band left the stage, house music of The Who "Join Together with The Band". GPN came RIGHT back on with kazoos and gathered around Bryans mic to sing along with the Who, as did most of the crowd, really a joyous, feel good moment.

All a prelude to Scott Taylor bringing guitar to the stage to join in on a 19 minute version of "Cortez the Killer" Grace prefaced by saying "What better way to start and end a New Years show then with Neil Young?" Positively mind bending guitar work, and towards the end Peter Prince ran on, grabbed Grace's piano mic for a bit song culminating with Scott Taylor falling headfirst through the drum kit, scattering it, leaving guitar tangled in a cymbal stand..

Off the stage at 1:55 AM 2:43 stage time

Three nights, sold out!!

Set List
Set 1
Tonight's The Nite
Mystery Train
Bella Donna
Ain't No Time
Lose Some Time seated
POYH "
NBTW
Set 2
Auld Lang Syne
Come Together
Get on UP/Sex Machine w/ Peter Prince
Pain in my Heart
Ah, Mary
Meantime
Treat
Mastermind
Over Again
Big White Gate
Bus
Joey
Every Mile
Delta
/////////////////
join together with the band singalong
Cortez The Killer w/ Scott Taylor

http://vtphotocreations.com/gracepotter/2006-12-31/index.htm

[Snowbird]

Archival Note - I've added in this thread because I thought is was very interesting to see some of the same types of reactions to "new" music trends and arrangements as early as 12/06 - different people are reacting and commenting in a similar way in 6/10 - interesting isn't it? There is also a response in here from Shakey Underwood - for those that don't know who that is - it's was Bryan Dondero's Screen Name in the old forum.

sienaluke 12/30/2006

Member

Posts: 29
(12/31/06 08:06:13)

I just got back from the show tonight at higher ground and i'm not really sure what to think.


The brand new songs that were played seemed very poppy. They felt very LA/music label influenced. The uniqueness that was in their older songs wasn't really there.

Some of the newer songs such as stop the bus and over again, were a little changed up, but still sounded great. I hear that scott really smoked over again on the 29th and i think he did it again

Meantime was changed, but i'm not sure it was for the better.The same with Belladonna.

I was a little stunned when they played these songs. It just didn't seem like the same band that i saw in woodstock and heard at the paradise. They just sounded very generic

Night Rolls on was played and was reworked a little, but it sounded great. I was excited to hear this. Grace commented that this was not going to be on the new album because the record company thought it was to loud.

The songs they played off NBTW were mostly unchanged and rocked as usual. They may have changed some lyrics to falling or flying, but this was still great. They played an acoustic set, which was great.

still no ticket to the show, but i have one more show to go.

With these new changes, i'm a little worried about songs like arms length and take it all away. Please don't change these.

I still have one more night to give these songs another chance. The best part of these new songs was when scott tore up the solo sections. I don't think the band has lost anything. i think it might just be the record label trying to make them play poppy songs.

I understand that bands grow and change over time, but the sound of these new songs seemed to come out of nowhere.



jazzman Re: 12/30/2006 #1 [-]


Member
Posts: 98
(12/31/06 10:18:09)

All good points, however, I noticed Brian's bass lines on the "reworked/new" songs were improved greatly. The lines gained so much depth to them, which IMO, was a welcomed change.

sienaluke Re: 12/30/2006 #2 [-]


Member
Posts: 29
(12/31/06 12:54:35)

I've been thinking about this show. I Think i was just caught off gaurd a little by the new direction the songs were going in. I think if i had just heard the songs that were reworked and not the brand new songs, i might have been fine with it. I need to hear this show again, i think that might help.



musicfromthesoul Re: 12-30-06 #3 [-]

Member
Posts: 32
(12/31/06 13:46:19)

I have seen them live many times, in several states, at several venues.my major comment on last night would be that it lacked ENERGY by EVERYONE in the building. I promise I am going to come full of energy and end one year to begin another with great music, HIGH energy, and great people. Lets all feed off of the great music and one anothers energy and make tonight a night to remember!


vtforme Re: 12/30/2006 #4 [-]


Fan
Posts: 239
(12/31/06 13:48:59)

So I guess I won't give up my ticket for tonight? Not that I would. I guess those of us that haven't seen (the new?) GPTN yet should go with an open mind.

sienaluke Re: 12/30/2006 #5 [-]

Member
Posts: 29
(12/31/06 14:23:25)
ReplyQuoteMore

I still think they are a great band and i plan on seeing them many more times. I think scott is now my new favorite guitarist. Like i said before i think i was just a little caught off guard and i need to give last night another listen. I also agree that there was a little lack of energy but it did go pretty late as did the night before. NYE should be a rocking show

theskifiend Re: 12/30/2006 #6 [-]

Posts: 26
(12/31/06 15:35:28)

I was really surprised too, especially @ Mr. Columbus, which seemed way too poppy for me. and the whole deal with the acoustic set sounded unrehearsed, and i wouldn't think Matt would just say "hey, why don't we change up some old songs so I play accordion instead of drums". Still a good show, but i'd say there was definitely a different air in the place

theskifiend Re: 12/30/2006 #7 [-]


Posts: 26
(12/31/06 15:43:28)

i'll add that I was really impressed w/Big White Gate though, especially after Grace commented that it was the song that convinced the record company to sign them. It was flawless last night

jazzman Re: 12/30/2006 #8 [-]


Member
Posts: 98
(12/31/06 16:12:58)

Both nights lacked energy from the crowd. I can't help but think it is due to the "mixed" crowd at the VT shows. You get a lot of older people (not that there is anything wrong with that). Each night in line I heard comments about how people wished it was a "seated show." When 1/3 of the crowd is wishing they could 'sit and watch,' you have to wonder how much potential the crowd has.

Shakey Underwood Re: 12/30/2006 #9 [-]


Member
Posts: 15
(01/02/07 16:12:28)

Hey Y'all,

I'm glad to see all the feedback up already from this weekend's run - we all had an amazing time - though we might've been pulling our collective hair out at times during rehearsal, we feel great about this weekend's run. For those of you that came out - many, many thanks, we love you guys.

Thank you all for your feedback and criticism - it's great to see people really taking our music as seriously as we do. Real criticism is great - I'd sooner take honest feedback over another "U-gizer." ("u-gizer awesome! u-gizer the best EVER! u-gize never make mistakes and everything you play is golden....."). You get my point.

I do want to make sure that people understand that though we may be re-arranging old songs, and trying out some different creative directions on some new ones, that this is not the product of a record label trying to bully us into becoming a radio-friendly band. All of the arrangements and changes we've made while out in the studio came from us and our producer Mike Daly and the only considerations on why we would change something was "how does this suit the song? how does it make it better?". We are a very hyper-critical band, and are probably our own worst critics. Believe me, if some record exec was telling us to do something that didn't sit right with our souls, blood would be spilled. It certainly wouldn't be the first time we've turned down money, publicity, ring tones etc... because of our integrity to the music.

Anyway, I just wanted to reassure y'all that this new music and new record have the quality assured GPTN stamp of approval. I do hope you like the new music - I personally am very psyched about the new songs and the new record. But if you don't like it that's cool too. I feel that people are entitled to their opinions - I for one am an opinionated music snob - I think the rest of the band qualifies too.

Oh, and what was said about Night Rolls On being too loud for the record is not entirely true -- there's some serious ear drum shattering rock that we waxed. So loudness isn't in question.

Keep on bloggin, bloggers.

Happy New Years!

--Bryan

vtforme Re: 12/30/2006 #10

Fan
Posts: 239

Hey Bryan, It's great to see you guys listen. It makes me feel that we count. I think what I read from everybody was we didn't expect the changes and they took us by surprise. I know we are all very excited about and looking forward to the new CD. I think you guys know that us who contribute to this forum are your biggest fans and wish the best for the Nocturnals. Thanks for NYE it was the greatest.
If you counting votes I'm hoping to hear "White Gate" on the CD.
Thanks Dave





KPtoVT Re: 12/30/2006 #11 [-]


Posts: 7
(01/02/07 18:00:45)

I'm gonna jump in here, just mention a few likes and dislikes form the two shows I saw [12/30;12/31]

A couple of dislikes
I love a good acoustic set, they were both good, but something was just a little off, I had a little trouble hearing everything I don't know if it was because the crowd [me included] was being kind of loud or what.

The guest guitarist on Cortez the Killer was a good musician and added some good energy but his guitar was 1/2 step or so out of tune but it was still cool to bring him out.

Likes:
Just about everything else you guys did. The new songs were pretty awesome, and I love that Fender Rhodes that Grace plays it sound awesome. My cousin has a Rhodes [he was at the show too] and he roughs up the sound of it so its almost like an electric guitar and it sounds awesome. Could be a cool addition to those new[er] heavy songs.

Can't wait for the new album!

jazzman Re: 12/30/2006 #12 [-]


Member
Posts: 98
(01/02/07 19:38:46)

>The guest guitarist on Cortez the Killer was a good musician
>and added some good energy but his guitar was 1/2 step or
>so out of tune

I noticed he broke a couple strings - that probably contributed to the guitar being out of tune.

KPtoVT Re: 12/30/2006 #13 [-]


Posts: 7
(01/02/07 21:17:15)

Yea, I saw that, then he switched guitars. I only really noticed it on the second guitar. I was just surprised I hadn't really noticed it the rest of the show. It wasn't really something I was upset with, something like that doesn't have anything to do with a musicians talent.

musicfromthesoul Re: 12-30-2006 #14 [-]


Member
Posts: 32
(01/02/07 21:27:22)

Hey if this is bryanthe guy who stands at the far end of the stage from the organ?!...yea you know me, Im the guy that asked for your autograph in new haven and you looked at me funny, and I said, yes, please sign my assthen you walked awaywas that as weird for you as it was for me?..anyway, I also met you in the lobby of our hotel in boston.scott stayed and talked to me, but you quickly walked away.who knows maybe you were still stuck on the whole ass signing thingmove on dude, I have! : ) HAHA..yo Bkeep making music from your soul, and such music NEVER needs to be explainedI mean I am sure people are delighted you come to his web-site (personally it often excites me to know that Van and I are not the only 2 who come to this web-site) but those of us who truly feel your music, dont require an explanation, because if you were at 12-31-06 and didnt feel the soul, thats fine..Ive been there musicians are artists and artists evolve over time, therefore so does their music and your musical preference may not have evolved with theirs..well this time I am right their with youBig White Gate, Aint No Time.and SO many more of the new songs are awesome!...and I am happy we are evolving together, because a GP&N concert to me is like a retreat, I come back feeling nourished and refreshed (although I may appear otherwise!)and the 12/31 show did not disappoint! I felt it, you felt it, and so did A LOT of other people.keep doing what youre doing! -Baltimore Brian

Tedheadone Re: 12-30-2006 #15 [-]


Nocturnican
Posts: 509
(01/03/07 07:29:15)

Driving home, I wondered if the guitar Scott Taylor played on Cortez was his own. If so, it might explain breaking his strings so he could use one of Scott Tournet's guitars to dive through the drum set to end the show. Pretty crafty...Swany needed the Jaws of Life to extricate that thing from one of the cymbal stands...I wish I had a camera..
Bryan, thanks for the insight; once again, I had a blast.



KPtoVT Re: 12/30/2006 #16 [-]


Posts: 7
(01/03/07 15:29:11)

I felt like I knew what I was trying to say in that other post, but I didn't apparently.

ia331328.us.archive.org/3...17_vbr.mp3

I made it sort of sound like I didn't think Scott Taylor was a good musician which is not really what I thought, that link pretty much proves it and he put on an even better performance on 12/31.

I'm pretty sure the guitar he started with was one of Tournet's, if it wasn't it was from Peter Prince's band. I remember seeing it earlier in the show, just not in who's hands.

jazzman Re: 12/30/2006 #17 [-]


Member
Posts: 98
(01/03/07 19:42:28)

Taylor started with Scott's Tele - what appears to be his #1 guitar. I remember thinking, wow, he gets to play that, it must have so much mojo.

KPtoVT Re: 12/30/2006 #18 [-]


Posts: 7
(01/04/07 20:41:29)

I realized one of my favorite parts of the show[s]. And its how the band can see you having a good time, and then you can see them realize that they know that's why they're there, and have a better time because of it. I just thought it was so cool that Scott would look out into the crowd and you could get eye contact with him and it just makes it 10 times better than it would be otherwise. I saw Grace and Bryan do it the same thing too, having that connection with fans is so fun, and I can't even adequately describe it.

So really, as long as Grace Potter and the Nocturnals keep having such a good time, I think it would be almost impossible for anyone to not enjoy themselves too. Thanks for a great New Years!

tekawitha Re: 12/30/2006 #19 [-]


Fan
Posts: 299
(01/05/07 13:53:53)

yes, I too love the crowd connection so long as it doesn't (or we don't) distract in any way.
I enjoyed reading everyone's input regarding the end-of-the-year shows. Caught the NYE show after a return trip from Asia so I was mega-tired.
Been listening to this band for about 3(?) years or so and have seen a lot of growth and genre change. I like to say that I have seen the group go from "kissing" to "pissing" and I've loved it all....
Since I am not very well-versed in music reviewing, I can't alway pinpoint what is obvious to many of you - I did enjoy the accoustic work as well as some of the scorching rock. I love "Big White Gate", especially when I can hear Gracie's voice leading...enjoy "Bella Donna", too...thought the Beatles' cover was really cool and caught the crowd.
I'll be honest, I didn't like that people were leaving before the last tune - maybe it was concern over the ice outside.
btw- Treat, are you out there? Allen, you, too?