Re: Spring Tour 2008 - 1/4/2008 - Jam Cruise 6 - Depart Ft Lauderdale
one away man Jam Cruise Lead [-]
Fan
Posts: 174
(01/05/08 18:17:14)
Well...we're waiting?
Most of us are freezing, landlocked, and indoors.
What's happening on the high seas?
Please, let's hear all the tropical, melodic, irie details.
Has GPTN jammed with Spearhead yet?
Teadhead are ya' out there?
Tedheadone Re: Jam Cruise #1 [-]
Nocturnican
Posts: 509
(01/05/08 18:23:12)
in front of the woodstove, watchin' the playoffs, sorry!
one away man Re: Jam Cruise #3 [-]
Fan
Posts: 174
(01/09/08 13:37:24)
Jam Cruise message Board:
"Grace Potter is my new hero.
Not because she's smokin' hot.
Not because she's such a talented songwriter.
Not because she really knows how to play a B-3.
Not because she also plays guitar well.
Not because she sings like an angel and a demon.
Not because she made me quiver, shake, and melt with her OYPT sit-in and all that sultry moaning. Holy crap that is burned in my mind forever.
Well - that's all a part of it.
But the real reason is because out of EVERYONE at the Women in Jam Workshop, she's the ONLY one who made ANY sense and EVERY time she opened her mouth all I could think was, "RIGHT ON SISTER!" For a woman so young, she is wise beyond her years and has her @#%$ WAY together. Not like some of the other whiny female aritsts sitting in that circle.
Grace rocks. I heard someone call her "this century's Janis Joplin." Whatever - she's this century's Grace Potter and I am now a loyal fan. "
AND...
"Sharon Jones and Dap Kings were just blow you away epic. The preshow was alot of fun, what a lot of energy!!! Funk to the highest elevation."
Warren and Grace and Friends - Wild Horses aboard Jam Cruise 6
Re: Spring Tour 2008 - 1/10/08 - Revolution - Ft Lauderdale, FL
csnyder200 1.10.08 Fort Lauderdale Review Lead [-]
Member
Posts: 14
(01/15/08 22:06:50)
Reader Beware: This review will not be as good as Van's (Tedheadone) reviews...
On Wednesday afternoon I headed down to Florida to visit a friend. I was really pumped to see my friend, and introduce him to one of the best live bands out there today. It was my third GPTN show in 4 months. I sat on the airplane listening to 12.7.07 (Boston). As I got to "Take It All Away" I was thinking to myself, "Jeez, it would be a miracle if they played this tomorrow night." I guess miracles do come true...
On Thursday we headed downtown early, to stop at a few bars before the show. Downtown Ft. Lauderdale was really alive. I was informed that GPTN would hit the stage around 8:30. That was quickly changed to 9:15 when we got in.
9:15 - The curtains are drawn from the elevated stage. The moment I was waiting for.
When they started with "Mastermind", I really got pumped. The concertgoers next to me were looking at me like "What is that kid doing?" I was just groovin' to the best band in the land. Throughout the hour set I saw more and more people coming down front. The highlight for me was "Take It All Away" and a great version of "Big White Gate". The whole set was amazing though. I grabbed a setlist at the end and got to shake Matt's hand.
Grace came out to sing vocals with Galactic on a great rendition of Led Zeppelin's "Whole Lotta Love".
I got to chat with Scott for a little during the Galactic set. After talking to some of his friends, he came back over to me and said something like "Great talking with you man". I got to meet up with Matt outside after the Galactic set. It was great when he said something along these lines "I usually don't recognize a lot of people in the crowd... but when I was rockin' out, I had a moment and I saw you out there. It's one of the Posse members!". I hope everyone gets the chance to meet the band. They are just some great human beings.
As I sit here in the warm Florida sun I reflect on how talented these bunch of musicians are.
- Chris
The Revolution
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Supporting Galactic
Set:
Mastermind
Treat Me Right
Take It All Away
Joey
Sinking Man
Here's To The Meantime
Ah Mary
Big White Gate
If I Was From Paris
Nothing But The Water I >
Drums >
Nothing But The Water II
tekawitha Re: 1.10.08 Fort Lauderdale Review #1 [-]
Fan
Posts: 299
(01/16/08 08:34:56)
you did a great job of making me regret not being there!!!
I love Big White Gate but then again, I like most all of GPTN tunes!!! And, when they cover a piece, it's just magic.
Tedheadone Re: 1.10.08 Fort Lauderdale Review #2 [-]
Re: Spring Tour 2008 - 1-29-08 - The Troubadour, Los Angeles, CA
soywolf Los Angeles 01-29-2008... Lead [-]
Member
Posts: 5
(01/30/08 09:42:30)
Nice set at the Troubador last night...decent crowd..maybe 2/3 full....leaned on the stage the whole night...band was in great spirits and smokin hot...some highlights:
the girl who called out for "Apologies" in the middle of Brandi Shearers set...she thought she was seeing Grace...too funny
wicked version of Sweet Hands
nice to hear Ragged Company back in the mix
New Song(?) Sugar...said it was first time played but seems like i've seen it in a setlist before..Grace said they just recorded this while at the Sun Records studio when they were just down south
If I was From Paris..always a favorite...Grace said this was the last time they were playing it "this way"...she said they just rerecorded it and fnally got it right...so from now on they'll play the new version..said it would have more of a stevie wonder groove...she says she thinks they finally got it right
Arizona..heard this at its debut in Flaggstaff last Nov...still love her version!!!!
Got Grace"s Drum stick after the drums portion of NBTW..and one of her guitar picks..always fun...
and an Amazing version of Neil Young's Down By The River for the final encore...Dang...what a tune..have they played this before..it was incredible
heres what i can figure out for a set list..might be off by a song...know that Watchin You was on the list as the set closer but didn't get played..stilll came in at just under 2 hours...what a great night
1- Treat Me Right
2- Stop The Bus
3- Mastermind
4- Ah Mary
5- Ragged Company
6- Ain't No Time
7- Sugar
8- Sweet Hands
9- Lose Some Time
10- Arizona
11- If I was From Paris
12- Sinking Man
13- Nothing But the Water
E.-
Angel Band>Big White Gate>Angel Band
Down By The River
ok..off to work for me...Wolf in sunny huntington beach
ps..and sadly no tapers!!!!...
Tedheadone #1 [-]
Nocturnican
Posts: 247
(01/31/08 07:02:58)
I hope the girl stuck around to hear the real Grace Potter not sing Apologies..!!
sorry you missed out on "Watching You"...........great, great song....
Re: Spring Tour 2008 1-30-08 - The Independent, San Francisco, CA
Tahoe Fire My SF Review #2 [-]
Member
Posts: 22
(01/31/08 18:24:10)
Okay here goes,..again.
1/30/08 The Independent, San Francisco
7:30 Doors
8:00 Show
Carney
Brandi Shearer
Grace Potter and the Nocturnals
After $150 in sushi and sake we arrive at the venue around 7:45. Only about 30 people milling about. Check out the merch table for anything new. Find a spot near the front of the stage for the openers. Nothing really to write home about knowing what is coming up next! The only thing worth mentioning is some idiot heckler in the audience that felt like it was his duty to talk to the bands between each song. I was hoping that he would get thrown out before Grace came on but no such luck. The good news is they don't pause at all between songs and no chance for homie to interrupt them! I go to the bathroom between Brandi and Grace and come back to find the place is filling up FAST! I move even closer to the Hammond and settle in front row and right center. The best seat in the house for sure! (check out the pics). I take a peek at the set list and am super stoked!
Grace and the Boys take stage somewhere around 10:30! The place is sold-out! Grace is looking the best I have ever seen her! A red and black dress that I have not seen yet and a lot of blonde in her hair that I did not see last week.
Sugar= Heard it for the first time last week and now they open with it! Sure to be a new favorite.
Ain't No Time= This was nice and smooth and about as slow as the night went. The band sure in a rock and roll mood tonight and did not let down the pace after this.
Stop The Bus= Yeah! This really is one of my favorite live songs they do. It blows away the album version. I didn't notice a harmonica intro by Scott.?? Maybe I missed it. By now I am getting really pumped up! After the long version and the guitar solo, I hit the switch with a three punch knockout sequence timed with the band PERFECTLY! Then I feel the emotional orgasm, again. BAM,BAM BAM! You know the sequence I'm talking about? It ain't on the album baby! Only the live versions! Grace breaks a high string on the guitar cause she is just killing it!
Meantime= I'm lost in the rock and roll and emotion!
Joey= How is it that they can play this every single set and still have the raw emotion that they put in to it? Grace breaks a freakin' key off the Hammond during the final parts of the song. She picks it up and laughs, as she sacrifices it to the rock gods. I have to say though, I have never really noticed a single mistake from any of the band members at any show,..but I felt like Matt missed the ending on it. Not a big deal and not sure he did, but something didn't feel right to me and I think he missed it. Sorry Matt.
Take It= Not sure whose cover? But It rocked!
Sweet Hands= Yeah, really rockin; now! Can you feel the pace? Seriously this is a rock and roll band!
Gettin'= Grace says it's a new song and all I can say is it is my favorite song of the night. And why not, Grace is singing to me over and over again, "I'm getting' into, Ridin' in on you, I'm gettin' into, Ridin' in on you." Yeah, I'm getting into it too!
Sinkin' Man= Kinda weird moment here. Grace says "This is also a new song, so you guys are kinda like the guinea pigs tonight" Okay I'm cool with that, but Sinking Man isn't really a new song..is it? I proceed to nail the opening line out loud to "the new song" and get some "you must be a Potter Geek" look from some other fans! I love it!
NBTW=Okay, I have seen the drum circle thing before. Twice in Telluride, twice at the Fillmore and once in NO, a couple others on youtube and listened to a handful of others through downloads but…THIS WAS IT! WaaaaY longer than any other and like 4-5 rhythm changes. Grace just could not get enough of the cowbell John, and I thought she would have serious knee rug burn from the time she was kneeling. At one point, like ten minutes into it, Scott has to pull out and he is shaking his head and mumbling " I can't do it anymore". Then he jumps back into it just to kick of a full minute finale that just friggin' ERUPTS at the end!!! I'm talking about Matt, Bryan, and Scott tripping and falling over each other and half of Matt's set gets tipped over! He is forced to finish the song with half of a friggin' drum set!!!!! This more that made up for the Joey ending! LOL! Pure energy man that was awesome!!!
About this time I hit a sort of spiritual realization. I have recently seen this band 6 times in the last 5 months, and twice before that. I know that from here they head north and then east. I imagine they are due for some kind of tour break after the amoeba tour is over and I am hoping for a new album this year as well. But I know that it will now be some time before I will see them live again..It begins to become a sort of farewell show for me. I'm torn between the joy I am feeling now and the separation anxiety to come!
Watching YOU= Awesome, I was really enjoying Bryans sweet bass work on this. He had some sort of a double thumb thing going and I was diggin' it.
Down By= Neil Young cover song? Sweet! This is what brings me to 6 shows in 5 months. Being able to say "I've never seen them do that before!" Grace says thank you and goodnight and the crowd erupts as usual!
Encore:
Ah Mary=I have never seen this in the encore before!
Big White= I have seen the set list, I know this is the last song, and I am hoping it never ends!
Highlights of the show for me: Grace and the boys breakin' it down for real! Literally, guitar strings, an organ key, and half of Matt's drum set! Total rock and roll!
Another thing happened last night that left a weird taste in my mouth. During the show there was a lot of set repair that needed to be done during the show. And Mike (is that his name?) the instrument tech was on and off the stage a lot. That's cool with me but during two different songs he was actually on stage front and center during the final parts of the songs near and amp and he was using the volume or reverb dials on the amp to create sounds as if he were part of the band. This must obviously be cool with the band but it just didn't sit right with me. Also, I remember someone on the forum in the past who was talking about interacting with the band before the show or after previous shows and wondering if there was any impact on the band during the show. I really felt that last night. As you know I had a pretty good conversation with Bryan last week after the NO show and felt that he definitely recognized me during the show but was hesitant to make eye contact or something. Not sure if it was real to him, but I felt a little awkward being right in front of the stage like that. Anyway, thanks for listening, love to the Band and the Posse, PQ.
Set list
Sugar
Ain't No Time
Stop the Bus
Meantime
Joey
Take It
Sweet Hands
Gettin'
Sinkin' Man
NBTW
Watching YOU
Down By
Encore
Ah Mary
Big White
michael #3 [-]
Member
Posts: 3
(02/01/08 05:35:46)
hey tahoe fire..great summary!. the "gettin" you refer to was "getting in tune" by the who.. thanks for your synopsis of the show.. it was dead on.
Tedheadone #4 [-]
Nocturnican
Posts: 248
(02/01/08 11:18:30)
TF-
Great work, thanks for the time you put into that...I know what it takes!! And I understand separation anxiety as well!!
Take it was likely "Take it All Away" and it is theirs, not a cover.
"Down By The river"...Neil Young and Crazy Horse. album is "Everybody knows This is Nowhere". Can't recommend that album enough, just an all tim e favorite..
Tahoe Fire #5 [-]
Member
Posts: 23
(02/01/08 18:01:34)
Thanks everyone, I really enjoyed the show so that is just my way of re-living it! It might have been "Take it All Away" but I just didn't recognize it. I don't think I have ever seen it live and only heard it on some recorded live shows. But I will have to listen to that Who tune to see if that was it. I was hoping it was a new one of theirs because I loved it!
KelsisZero #6 [-]
Member
Posts: 1
(02/02/08 18:03:05)
Hi everyone! I was at the show and I can't agree more about how electric the show was. Here are some pictures for you, I hope you can all enjoy them!
Hey Patrick great pics! I can actually see myself and my wife in the picture of the whole band on stage (brown bucket hat, white Potterville Posse t-shirt front row stage right)! What do I have to do to get a copy? PQ.
Thanks for the link to the torrent. I downloaded it and burned it. So far, sounds like a great show.....Just cant understand why people go to these shows and see the need to talk while the band is playing some awesome stuff!!!
If someone knows how to filter out the background chitchat let me know.
Cant wait for Portsmouth!!
Re: Spring Tour 2008 - 2-20-08 - Ridgefield Playhouse, Ridgefield, CT
Tedheadone Ridgefield Playhouse 2/20/2008 #5 [-]
Nocturnican
Posts: 252
My Recent Posts Imagine for a minute that you are a hard workin' band hittin the road. First few forays afield are small dive clubs, any place that will pay you a few bucks and free drinks. Step up to opening for bigger bands. And if you are good enough, you return to these bigger and better venues, and headline. And if you afre GPN you sell 'em out...midweek. I suspect it is pretty satisfying to have the bigger (or only) dressing room...and then to rock the house. I wonder if GPN slows down to think about things like that...maybe when they get home and decompress. GPN has opened The Playhouse for Mavis Staple, and most recently in Jan 2006 for Derek Trucks.
And a merciful break in the tour is shining in sight, on the horizon, after Saturdays show. It has been a long tour, not so much in time, perhaps, but in energy, miles, and being beaten back by wild winter . Three times Mother Nature did, in fact, Stop The Bus. Parked in a Wal Mart for 30-40 hours at a time until the Interstate re-opens. Gotta be wearing. And while Brandi Shearer has finished up her leg, they have kept the bus through Saturday. And I know that it is great to have a lot of family, friends, and Aya at the finish line for these four dates this week.
Opener TBD on both the band and venue sites and old friend Lowell Thompson from Burlington is a late addition in this slot. He has opened with his full band at The Paradise in 2006 and did the honors NYE at Higher Ground. Tonight he is solo, and delivers a solid set. When the big cheese of The Playhouse was making intro's for him, Grace's dog Kick came out for a cameo appearance.
The stage was repositioned tonight. The keyboards were angled slightly in facing.....Matt's drums on the right side of the stage, angled towards the center at 45 degrees. Bryan has moved back to the right side. There is a mic center stage with 2 monitors, and then a another mic set back from the center mic, and near the back corner of the B-3 with 2 monitors. This where Scott resides, and from my seat on the left side of the stage in the fron row, his guitar playing is obscured by the keyboards. I think for the amount of solos that Scott delivers, he needs to be more closer to the front of the stage.
Highlights Tonight: For me, it might actually have been Scott's harmony vocals on a couple of tunes. When was the last time you heard that?..Maybe he always does, and it's just a question of high up in the mix Mark brings it. But I have been noticing him more, especially on Stop The Bus, so...thanks, Mark!!
Meantime: Opens the set with style
Trifecta: Ain't No Time, Treat, and Mastermind seamlessly, without break between songs
Can't See Through It: Perhaps just the 3rd time played. Ripped apart by love, a slow song, in the Apologies/Falling orbit. Scott added tasty harmony. For a short period in the arc of Linda Rondstat's career, this is a song that she would have sang. Perhaps the "Heart Like a Wheel" album. {Before she went all (insert your genre choice here)} Yea, that album, would fit right in between "Faithless Love" and "The Dark End of The Street". High praise, indeed!!
Ragged Company: perfect follow for Can't see
Sugar: evolving into a real strong song. crowd fooled by false ending
Sweet Hands: As Grace said, Let's keep it sweet. This got the crowd up and down to fill the space in front before sing-along Jet Airliner
Gettin in Tune: rocks the crowd, photogs including Justin, are hanging off the scaffolding stairs side stage.
Scene in the crowd: The Potters, Aya, Jackie, Joe and Helen, Mrs & Mrs Siennaluke, strong Posse presence with carrjo, Matt's brother's wife ready to deliver a new nephew!, Scott's look alike aunt and a cast of thousands, well hundereds.
Set List:
Meantime
Mary
Ain't No Time
Treat
Mastermind
Bus
Can't see through It
Ragged
Sugar
Sweet Hands
Jet
NBTW
Over Again
Gettin inTune
////////////
Angel Band/BWG
kpiavs great review #6 [-]
Member
Posts: 13
(02/21/08 09:23:46)
You summed up the night very well....for my money the best band around ...as much as I love a bunch of other bands ..GPTN make me feel the best by the time I leave
Grace08 #7 [-]
Member
Posts: 2
(02/21/08 09:47:23)
How was the meet & greet?
Did anyone attend that?
Details please?
kpiavs meet n greet #8 [-]
Member
Posts: 14
(02/21/08 11:38:37)
The meet n greet was cool. Maybe about 50 or so people were there to meet them. They had a table set up where they sat and we waited in line to walki up say hey and have anything signed we wanted. So it was somewhat formal but very friendly...All four of them were seemed genuinley interested in meeting everybody who stayed.
This is the second time I saw them..the first being in Wallingford when theyopened for Govt Mule and Little Feat...After that night when I was first blown away by the music I was so impressed because that evening they spent over an hour meeting everybody who wanted to come by and say hi.
Over the years of me seeing many concerts and enjoying nearly everyone only a few stand high above the rest in terms of the overall experience.
The final night of Springsteens Reunion tour in New Jersey
The Allman Brothers at the Meadows in Hartford about three years ago
Little Feat in Hampton Beach NH the night they headlined with Dickey Betts
Bonnie Raitt in Wallingford and the first time seeing GPTN also in Wallingford
these perfect musical experiences are almost spiritual in nature.
My 7 year old daughter still thinks GPTN are the best band and thats just from CD's and the DVD disc that came in one of them. She still wears the autographed shirt I got from Wallingford around with great pride. She was excited when I gave her the pink shirt from last nights show and one of those stickers they were selling.
I am bummed because I live 10 minutes from Toads Place in New Haven but can make it to the show tomorrow.
Re: Spring Tour 2008 - 2-21-08 - The Allen Room- Lincoln Center - NYC
lincoln center show. Lead [-]
Member
Posts: 23
(02/21/08 23:26:15)
*set was one long one. here it is.
aint no time
treat her right
mastermind
stop the bus
meanttime
cant see through
ragged company
joey
sugar
lose some time
apologies
over again
nothin but
angel
big white
down by the river was on the set list but i dont remember hearing that. any way we all met early at oneals.food was good and there was a good sense of fun .there was about 8 of us. we all headed over to the show at 730 or so.the doors opened at 8pm. we entered the room and got all situated.i had a great seat 5th row dead center.the room is beautiful.if you have never been there it is hard to explain.wide room.lots of wood.tall ceilings.the biggest thing that stands out iss the back wall behind the band.40 feet tall 80 feet wide.solid double payne glass.full view of cpw and 59 th st all the way east.ill try to post some pix.the room is acousticly perfect. not a bad seat in the house.the audience seemed to be a mix .alot of season ticket holders who had no clue to whom this band was.they were quickly won over ,let me tell you.there was not alot of talk tonight.a few jabs here and there,but all rock n roll.the over all volume of the room was very quiet and was like 100 db.compared to most shows which go well over 130.most of all the audience was captivated and hypnotic.quietmost of the time.which was like awesome for me. during the acoustic piano and gtr it was so good i almost cried.rare as hell.it was so quiet to keep from screaming. the set was like under 2 hours.at times you could see the band look behind them at the great view and be like wow.they couldnt believe it them selves.the oncore was dedicated to graces mom who was present.i can not wait to see another show.great show tonight.wish i could get on the bus..thats all.todd.
tekawitha thanks for the review #1 [-]
Fan
Posts: 236
(02/22/08 13:47:53)
always so good to be able to somewhat attend a show, vicariously, through you reviewers' eyes and ears...glad Peggy Potter got a dedication - nice touch for a real nice lady.
Tedheadone - The Allen Room, NYC 2/21/2008 #2 [-]
Nocturnican
Posts: 253
(02/22/08 21:11:14)
Dorothy! I'm not in Kansas anymore.....It is a long way geographically and culturally from The Bottleneck bar in Lawrence to The Allen Room at the Lincoln Center/Time Warner at Columbus Circle, Central Park West NYC. And it is simply a memorable day and night.
Matt: "My father says never come into the city after 2:30...you never know how bad traffic will be"
Me: "How bad can it be coming IN to the city?"
Matt: "..." no words, just a look that says Father Knows Best
So, HEY!, I listen to Dad and head in early, coming south on the Henry Hudson parkway on a clear blue sky day that makes me think its late Fall, not late Winter. Barges ply the river, the Palisades soar on the Jersey side, and the George Washington Bridge looms large downriver as I approach. As the parkway gets into the city, I look and see Trump Place, and next door Trump Place...and next door to that Trump Place...and one more for good measure...4 in a row, almost identical buildings, all with Trump Place emblazoned across each...my mapquest for Lincoln Center drops me onto W 42nd St....
I Love New York! There, I said it...can't believe it...driving down 42nd , looking up through the moonroof at soaring buildings, surrounded by yelllow taxis honking all the time, hustle and bustle to the max. I realize I want to get to 60th St, so I make a turn, and before I know it, I'm passing Radio City Music Hall. Another turn, and I look at a building and it has Music Hall and Andrew Carnegie carved over the doors- Carnegie Hall! I feel like the rube in Stevie Wonder's "Livin for The City"..you know, the guy that gets off the bus, and looks up and says "Wow, New York City. Skyscrapers, and everything" {only to be handed a bag (of drugs) to hold, get arrested, and sentenced "Twenty Years!"}
Getting near the venue, I circle the block a few times and find a parking spot a block away. My parking at the venue doesn't start till 4 PM and it will be $16 for an hour early, so this is a good solution. I head to Columbus Circle and the Times Warner Center. Looking at the wall of glass that fronts the building, it is easy to imagine the Allen Room 5, floors up, from the picture at MojoMans most excellent website. http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2008/02/15/theallenroom/
The entrance is to The Shops at Columbus Circle, total high rent district. There is an elevator to "Jazz @ Lincoln Center" and I head up to 5th floor. Getting in to Allen Room, the stage is set, and Danny and Mark are testing sound levels. The room is spectacular, and is hard to do anything but look past the stage at W.59th St as far as the eye can see, along side Central Park. Then leaving the room and returning a few minutes later, the room has been darkened by a florr to ceiling curtain that has been lowered to allow stage lighting to be set during soundcheck. The band breaks with Meantime, and I can sense some concern by the venue over volume. God forbid a few decibles might go hide in a corner so they can jump out and startle kd laing when she shows up in a few days... Hey, venue-trons!... the room sold out FOR A REASON.
The band works on several songs including their newest. I move right in close to catch it. Finally, Grace casts a covetous glance at the Steinway & Sons grand piano, noting it's battleship sized. She slides behind the keys and eases into "Apologies". Next she does it with Scott's plaintive accompaniment., and finally with Matt and Bryan's muted rythmn. There is uncertainty about just staying with the B-3, or the other options just rehearsed. This one will be a game time decision. (Here's a clue...they made the right decision...)
Sound check completed, it's time to get a bite to eat...up three blocks, past the New York Ballet, to Fiorello's. A classic italian restaurant, waitstaff in white shirt and tie, and full length white approns. It's busy, and there's a need to hustle back to the venue, with 5 minutes to spare. The room is entered from the top, and you head down into your seats.
World's Biggest Fishbowl: which side of the glass are the fish? ..philosophers start debating.
Startling, enchanting, captivating, entrancing, enthralling, inspiring. Take your pick. Any one of these adjectives works to describe the feeling in the room when the house lights go down. It's the view that's "on stage" until the band enters to command our attention. They take their places, but frequently turn to take a quick glimpse during the show, each time turning back with a smile . It seems that there has been some attention to venue concerns, volume is comfortable, allowing Grace to sing in her sweet spot volume wise, as well. This is room that demands your talent be on display, as the focus- not your energy. And yes, there was a 4 way drum solo, but it's musical talent that impresses this sophisticated crowd. (ed. note: since I was in this crowd, I am now "sophisticated". So is The Posse. Tipi, Carrjo, you are also now "sophisticated".)
Highlights tonight: The absolute clearest and cleanest sound for Scott, ever.
Ain't No Time: Starts the night off nicely
Mastermind: extended Scott strum open. After the song, Grace asks how everyone is."some of you look a little tense" I think this was for venue peeps, HA!
Bus: Nice reverb action
Meantime: Grace adds a squeal.
Can't see Through: I love this ballad with harmony
Lose Some Time: a duo, with Scott on 12 string
Apologies: Solo on the Steinway. Grace looks great with a spot on her. Makes her smile even larger seeing her only from the shoulders up. Clear and strong vocals. This was a NY moment. The bistro tables in the front had candles, it just felt like you were in a nightclub. I was caught up in the moment. Looking down W. 59th St, it was a sea of red brake lights. I know a sigh escaped, because I felt the person next to me turn and look at me.
Over Again: preceded by solo "Apologies" this is the yin and yan of GPN. Scott nails it, lot of audience smiling, song draws a standing O.
NBTW: ends set, band exit sing along.
Encore: dedicated to Mom on her birthday.
Allen Room is the Urban Red Rocks: thus spake Sparky Potter, and I take his word for it. He has seen the band in both venues. I loved this day. I seriously expect people on the street to break into song and dance. Rhapsody in Blue runs constantly through my head.
And the day ends in the lobby bar of the adjacent Mandarin Oriental Hotel....which is on the 35th floor....with some alarming good looking and well dressed young women....
Scene in the Crowd: Potters, Peggys cousin, Aya, Posse Peeps, Lighting Guy Kevin- Happy 30th, Justin with his mentor, a former head of Sony (!), legal meister & Mrs Andy Tavel, Jens Dad and his wife.
And finally, waiting for my car to come up, I spy what is obviously on old Rolls under wraps. I ask the guard what year it is.
It is a 1959, and he says it's only been out about 4 times in the last 2 years.."It's Beyonce's, and she paid $1 M for it". When I commented wow, a 1959, and just look at the beautiful brand new Rolls parked right across from it...
he said "Yea, that's Jay-Z's..............." New York, NEW YORK!
I Love New York: I do. I realize it's the Yankees I hate....
Set List:
Ain't No Time
Treat
mastermind
Bus
Meantime
Can't See Through
Ragged
Ah, Mary
Sugar
Lose Some Time
Apologies
Over again
NBTW w/ 4 way
////////////////////
Angel Band/Big White Gate/Angel Band
(sorry for all the edits, I keep remembering stuff!)
vtsnowbird26 #3 [-]
Fan
Posts: 44
(02/23/08 03:54:19)
Okay that was just awesome. You took me there Van - thank you. And T-Bone - thanks for your early take on a very special night, as well. Love all the details you both provided, fans at home much appreiciate it! Love the Sparky quote - Allen Room is the Urban Red Rocks - both very special venues showcasing the best of west and the east, and GPTN has now rocked both, brilliantly is seems. NICE.
tipiboy #4 [-]
Fan
Posts: 35
(02/25/08 12:52:05)
ReplyQuoteMore
My Recent Posts Thanks again! Look forward to your review almost as much as the show! ... Almost 8*) Great seeing you again ... I'm off to charm school
Grace08 2/23/08 Portsmouth Music Hall Setlist and review ... #3 [-]
Member
Posts: 5
(02/24/08 01:30:51)
ReplyQuoteMore
My Recent Posts 2/23/08
Music Hall
Portsmouth, NH
Final night of the leg .....
Meantime
Mary
Ain't No Time >
Treat Me Right >
Mastermind
Jet Airliner
Stop The Bus
Can't See Through
Ragged Company
Sugar
Sweet Hands
Joey
Paris (slow blues version)
Nothin But >
Drums >
Nothing But II
Sweet Emotion
-----------------------------
Down by the River
Angel >
Big White Gate
I knew this show would be special and it was. The Final night of a long leg of touring - the band may be wiped but they gave it everything they had.
Just when I thought the band had progressed so much since the mid-December Paradise shows in Boston, when I witnessed Toad's last night, they surprised me yet again tonight with a truly magical show at the Music Hall in Portsmouth. Picture a sold out intimate old theater on the hip seacoast village on a very cold New England winter night...
The band fired up the crowd as the audience on cue left their seats - jammed the aisles and rushed the stage as soon as the band kicked into "Ah Mary", 2nd song in.
The rest was a boogie night seaside with GPN. They have been out a long time since last summer touring their brilliant new album, but tonight was a sort of homecoming for GPN. Many friends and relatives in attendance, and GPN did not disappoint for the hometown crowd. Having heard a delicate, beautiful acoustic song at soundcheck that had the lyric, "see you on the other side", I was wondering to myself, "what is that song?" About half way into the show, Grace introduced a song that was "about saying goodbye to someone." She confessed she only thinks they have played it live six times before, and she joked, "rehearsed it even less than that." The song was really beautiful - great, heartlfelt lyrics about letting go when life has given you no other choice. Grace strums an acoustic throughout the song. It's called "Can't See Through." Another gem in the GPN catalog. Hope it gets released someday. She played "Sugar" another new one - great guitar work by Scott on this one - bluesy number - kinda sexy. Scott has a great, eerie, mystical tone on this one.
"Joey" was nasty as always. So glad that was back in tonight. "Sweet Hands" was a welcome return to the set as well , she joked, "from the GPN archives from 2004", the crowd then proceeded to really boogie down on this old gem - this one really got the crowd dancing. "Paris" returned tonight but it was the new, slow bluesy version the band recently recorded. It may get released this summer. Stay tuned on that. This new version is less ska, and more slow, funky blues. It's pretty cool. "Sweet Emotion" made a welcome return tonight - Grace's spin on this song vocally is a treat and the band simply killed it. "Down by the River" made another welcome return and the band stretched out on a big jam on this one. Drummer Matt Burr commented of the six or so times they have performed it live, he felt tonight's was the best version yet. Grace finished off the magical show with the appropriate "Angel" into "Big White Gate".
It really was an inspiring night of rock and roll served up the only way GPN knows how!
Wow !
Great show - hope a tape surfaces soon - this was a keeper !
vtsnowbird26 #4 [-]
Fan
Posts: 46
(02/24/08 05:05:28)
Nice review of what must have been a great finale to this awesome leg of this tour. Wishing I was there of course, but glad to have been in on part 1 of the NE finale in Ridgefield. Thanks for putting your impressions out there so early!
KCowllover #5 [-]
Fan
Posts: 3
(02/24/08 07:52:46)
all I can say is WISH I WAS THERE. great review, enjoyed it immensely. Today I just keep sighing. a bit sad I guess, but it's only a matter of time before another tour schedule and something to look forward to. HERE'S TO THE MEANTIME....
SmokinJoe #6 [-]
Member
Posts: 6
(02/24/08 11:01:14)
ReplyQuoteMore
My Recent Posts Grace08 wrote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Great show - hope a tape surfaces soon - this was a keeper !
Yes it was... and Yes it will.
I pulled tape, with those mics hanging off the balcony rail... and it sounds fantastic. Definitely the best GPTN tape I've pulled. I want to go through it with a fine tooth comb, make sure it's just right, and I'll put it up on the archive soon.
I'm a Nate Wilson fan (keys from Assembly of Dust) so it was a treat for me to see him sit in on Sweet Emotion. The "Down By The River" completely blew me away, and Big White Gate was just the icing on the cake. I thought the 4 person drum solo was really cool too.
Grace08 #8 [-]
Member
Posts: 6
(02/24/08 11:16:38)
Smokin Joe -
Glad you pulled a sweet one last night - when you do post it - can you please put an announcement / posting in this thread?
Can't wait to hear this one again in it's entirety...
Were you the guy running the nakamichi's?
Also, did you happen to do the Toad's show on Friday night?
I was at that one as well.
Can't wait to hear this show!
Keep us posted and please post an announcement here in this thread if you can .....
Have you previewed it?
How's it sound?
I thought the gig sounded great from where I was ..... best sounding show I have heard them do thus far .
That theater is great - hope they play this venue again in the future - not to be missed ...
Magical night of rock and roll with GPN ....
SmokinJoe #10 [-]
Member
Posts: 7
(02/24/08 12:28:28)
Yes, I was the guy with the Naks... plus a Studio Projects LSD2 set up for mid/side... I frequently run both and then choose the better of the two. In this case I think they sound great together (peanut butter and chocolate).
Yes, I will post a link.
No, I didn't hit Toad's place.
Tedheadone The Music Hall, Portsmouth NH 02/23/08 #12 [-]
Nocturnican
Posts: 254
(02/24/08 17:01:24)
The Finish Line: While we have been talking about the serious slog this 12,000 mile tour was, and how nice it was to have the finish line on the horizon in Portsmouth, it occurs that it's not a finish line at all. It's a false summit. That's what happens to mountain climbers when the see the summit ahead, and attain it, only to discover it's not the summit at all, the REAL summit was obscured and still lies ahead. And after a brief rest, time to press on...
The bus left the venue at 1:20 on the way back home, all aboard except local Danny home to his folks, and Mark, who was hijacked by Jodi, with plans to spend the night in Portsmouth and have a leisurely brunch before their departure. And as glad as they all are for the break, I bet that 10 days looks, all of a sudden, like a pretty short respite! Several Southern dates before heading back up North in mid March to try their luck with the Winter weather. Odds are much better then in Jan-Feb but still can be dicey.
The Music Hall: This historic 900-seat theater, built in 1878, is the oldest in New Hampshire, the second oldest in New England, and the fourteenth oldest operating in the United States. Designated by the U.S. Senate as "An American Treasure" in the national Save America's Treasures Program through the National Park Service, The Music Hall is embarking on a major restoration project.
Portsmouth is a cool, old little city..Restaurants and shops abound all around the theater. They are undergoing renovations in the lobby, plywood up on for a wall, but up a flight to the venue and no disruptions. I get there in time to go find the Posse, out in force, and old friend Wally with wife Kathy and daughter Keri. Catch up with all, and meet Klaus. They are all ready. I head out just as the opener Dusty Rhodes is taking the stage, and miss the whole set, leaving the Hall to help with some parking needs. When I finally come back in, I see a lot of folks have purchased their CD, so it must have been a good set.
Rita Carey, program director for 92.5 The River came out to tell the crowd the band would be out in a few minutes. She told folks to look out for the Posse, in yellow, and "a fan that came form Germany". She talked about what huge GPN fans the station was. Too bad they didn't take my advice by phone and email to get 'em in rotation and do a "we played 'em first in Boston" promotion last Spring when I alerted them they would be playing on rival station WBOS's EarthFest. WBOS blows, they just fired all the DJ's except one and went to a DJ less (read no personality) format. I would never say "I told you so". (I'll have to figure out another phrase...)
Not sure why, but there was a long delay tonight before the band came out. The Hall is not quite sold out, with some empties in the corners upstairs, but damn few. I went upstairs and went to the side/front closest to the stage on B-3 side, looking down over Grace's shoulder. Nice vantage point for a song, as was by the light board, center upstairs. Great sound in this venue, but as loud as I have heard in a long time. Stood behind Mark at the soundboard for a couple of songs before heading over behind the stage monitor board...directly behind Matt (remember, he is now on the side, not the center) and looking across to Grace on the B-3. Great vantage point and touch quieter.
Highlights Tonight:
Meantime: Great show starter,
Mary: The crowd fills in real quick, so many there is no way, short of calling out the National Guard to get that genie back in the bottle. And we all know the Guard is runnin' thin these days...........
Treat: Bryan kicks, and song is extended nicely
Jet: has the crowd in serious singalong mode
Can't See Through: Someone said it best.."A song Linda Rondstad would have song (at her peak)" (ed.note In case you missed it, it was just me who said that) You can check this beaut out here....http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2008/...-for-download/
Ragged Company: B-3 sounded so clear and strong on this
Sugar: Got the Sun Studios Story intro
Sweet Hands: Dance party. Matt's hat flew off just before he knocked over the stool.
Paris: First performance of reworked, and re-recorded version. Grace now plays Rhodes, not the "V". Different energy level. "Paris" was introduced at the Troubadour show last May, and was an instant hit with the fans. Let's see how this take
does. Long time fans will recall the reworking that Meantime got when it appeared on last album.
NBTW: got the rare, electric a capella version first heard at The Opera House in Lebanon, as well as the 4 way solo
Sweet Emotion: Local guy Nate, keys for Assembley of Dust, took the Rhodes in support of Grace on B-3 for Sweet Emotion, that featured a nice crowd sing.
Down By The River: This version gave me goosebumps, my first live take. Scott was monstrous and the song eased right into Angel Gate
Adrien Brooms haircut: Adrien and Matt go way back, and she is a talented photog who has shot a lot of the shows, and off stage stuff, that has been used all over.And she got the perfect haircut. I can't even describe. It was just perfect. Framed her face, enhanced every feature, was casual but stylish. Tonight she looked like a model with a camera. Even more so, when she put on her jacket and scarf... I got a haircut Saturday, too. It did none of those things for me. I was tempted to lead with this highlight...honest.
After Show: Bryan came down in the pit to chat with the peeps, and later Grace came out for a Posse picture, as did Scott and Matt. And the band made a little presentation of thanks to Jen for getting them thru this leg of the tour...a handmade card and a nice black, long sweater. It was nice that is was done seated at center stage, and so it was seen by many people, how much this band cares for each other...
Scene in The Crowd: Placid People John and Katie, All the Posse Peeps as promised..Dave, John, Tipi, Klaus have a safe trip..Clan Wally, Aya, Jodi, The Potters,
set list
Meantime
Mary
Ain't No time
Treat
Mastermind
Jet
Bus
Can't see Through
Ragged
Sugar
Sweet Hands
Joey
Paris...new version
NBTW electric open, 4/way drums
Sweet Emotion w/ Nate
//////////////////
Down By The River
Angel Gate/Big White Gate
one away man random thoughts about the Portsmouth show... #20 [-]
Fan
Posts: 73
(02/28/08 12:16:32)
First of all, what a great venue. Thanks for the history capsule Tedhead.
I'm back from four days of dicing up the New Hampshire snow and I've had plenty of time to digest Saturday's show.
I rolled in as the opening act finished, just in time to drink a "Smuttynose lager" in the lobby, before settling in to my seat (12th row stage left on the aisle). Congratulations to the Posse for their strong showing and getting recognized by Grace.
I could only assume that the long delay before they came on was due to them playing their fourth show in as many nights and different cities. If you think about it, they've been going strong ever since they started the tour with Government Mule back in September. So, I can only imagine the sheer will power required to overcome their exhaustion and get it up again for this last night of the current run. It's not surprising to hear that she had troubles with her voice the night before in New Haven.
Secondly, Bryan Dondero is playing like a young God. I haven't heard his playing as stong, energetic and forceful EVER! His powerful, driving bass line in Meantime really set the the tone for the rest of the evening. I might compare him to Phil Lesh, Alphonse Johnson or even Berry Oakley in the way that his sound lays the foundation for the rest of the groove to be built upon. You rock, Mr. Shakey!
I absolutely love the introduction to Treat Me Right! It's very spacy and leads to the delicious first verse. It's still my favorite song of theirs and the only one of the 're-arranged' songs in which I appreciate all the changes. The driving finish is a real 'Treat'.
Stop the Bus has become their touring anthem and the guitar interplay between Scott and Grace was excellent. I loved the way she established the harmonic and let him tear up the lead.
The new ballad, 'Can't See Through', is very poignant and touching. You can really hear the heartfelt sorrow at losing someone close.
It was my first time hearing 'Ragged Company' live and that was special too.
I'm afraid I'm not too impressed with 'Sugar'. To me, the melody doesn't really go anywhere and neither do the lyrics. I think 'Sweet Hands' is risque enough, 'Sugar' is downright nasty. Nobody's mentioned that she decided to launch a mouthful of spit across the stage during this tune. (Did I imagine that?) I'll chalk it up to being on the road with the boys for too long. My advice to Grace is to hang out with her mother for a while and get grounded again, maybe take a long walk in the snow with the dog.
I don't think I like the new arrangemnet of 'If I Was From Paris' either. I understand the impulse to make it more rocking and less pop sounding, but I miss the old version that made you want to dance, especially the way they would build it to a crescendo and then hold silent for a beat.
I'm also not sure about the new treatment of NBTW, part 1. I think they've sacrificed some of its soul. The 4-way drum jam has lost some of its magic too. At the Paradise, Matt was able to go off and play lead while the others carried the groove. Here, it sounded a bit tired, like they were just holding on long enough to make it to the end.
I thought 'Sweet Emotion' was great. I couldn't really hear Nate Wilson, but I loved the way the band gave the vocals to the crowd and let us sing the chorus. That was good stuff.
OK, last but not least: Scott Tournet is on fire! He impressed me all night long with his playing. He's quietly matured into one hell of a guitarist. Nowhwere was this more obvious than on 'Down By the River', which was outstanding.
All in all, it was a great night. Maybe I can chalk up my disappointment with a few of the songs to it being my unlucky 13th show.
Wish I could go to Langerado, but that'll have to be it for me until the summer.
Nate, one more time at the Chicken Box again, PLEASE?
Tedheadone #21 [-]
Nocturnican
Posts: 257
(02/29/08 08:10:53)
One Away..
And you didn't find me and say hi...I'm crushed..but, HEY!, I'm over it!
Thoughtful comments, as always.
Agree on Paris, not sure what the reason for alteration is....Paris was a song that was wildly received right out of the gate..peeps calling out for it, by name, at shows soon after it was rolled out . I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the B-3, but I think I like Grace on the V for this song, at least after the first listen....
marty dibergi #22 [-]
Fan
Posts: 103
(02/29/08 09:54:13)
they 'meantimed' paris?
KCowllover #23 [-]
Fan
Posts: 5
(02/29/08 11:24:21)
Please go back to the old Paris!! I agree, the way they had it before with Grace on the V and the missed beat. I have head the new version and it just doesn't have the same punch. It is my FAVORITE song, so hopefully they'll work it out and back to the original version. Sometimes, it's best to leave perfection alone!!
great reviews to all, I enjoy them almost as much as being there....who am I kidding! In my next life, I want to come back as VAN THE MAN!!
vtforme #24 [-]
Fan
Posts: 154
(02/29/08 13:47:08)
I have to agree with you for the most part One away. I totally got lost during River and sang great harmony on Emotion the other night. I'm not real sure the guy next to me agrees with that but o'well.
KCowllover we all want to be Van especially on NYE when Grace comes over the keyboards to plant a kiss on him.
Last edited by Snowbird; 06-13-2010 at 12:07 PM.
Reason: add link to archive.org for show
Re: Spring Tour 2008 - 4-6-08 - Barton Hall, Cornell University, Cornell NY
Tedheadone Barton Hall, Cornell University 4/6/08 Lead [-]
Nocturnican
Posts: 277
(04/07/08 11:43:27)
Saturday I just mentioned the word "Cornell" to a 25 year old Dead fan and his eyes practicaly glazed over, like Homer when you mention "donut", and he just said "mmmm..5-8-77 Barton Hall".....Wow!
Barton Hall is an old, stone field house, quite a grand building for its' time. There is a wood ceiling way up there, hanging lights, hanging partition curtains and a composition track around the perimeter, with courts marked off in the center. Over a third of the building is sectioned off for the stage and the backstage area holds the batting cages as well. The end of the hall opposite the stage has bleachers, the only seating for the night. Above the bleachers, the wall area is opague, milky window panes. Cornell University is in red across the bottom, and when you look a little closer, you notice that it is a world map, with all the continents in blue glass. It looks really striking later as the sun gets lower in the sky, brightening the panes.
O.A.R. is running wicked behind the schedule of doors at 6 and GPN at 7. O.A.R. does not leave the stage until 6:40, leaving precious little time to get all the equipment out, on stage , hooked up, and sound checked. No Danny tonight did not help expedite things, either. In fact, the band does not even do a full song for sound check. Doors open late, kids flock to the festival style rail set up in front of the stage and the band comes on alittle late. Not sure what time, but they were off the stage by 8, and I was back in my car by 8:15
Sound was provided by a reputable national company, but that didn't stop Mark from having to leave the sound board during the show to hook up one of Grace's monitors. In addition, closer "Watching You" changed on the fly because the V was not working, so Grace worked the song, and the crowd, with a hand held mic. Stop The Bus was particularly strong, as was NBTW w/ 4 way, and Watching You.
During Mary, during the "ah" part, I could hear an echo in the room from down front...so during the open to NBTW, I retreated to the sound board, where Mark and I enjoyed the full echo effect on Grace's voices. This was big time, booming sound...
Average age of the crowd was about 20...In retrospect, I think letting Scott rip on Bus would have been the opener to grab the crowd. That's about where the crowd got on board, anyway. There was one couple down front that I spoke to. They were from Binghamton and had been to The Allen Room show, as well as Mule stop.
The varsity baseball field, with emerald green Field Turf, was adjacent to Barton Hall, and surrounded very closely by buildings from the engineering dept. Very central to the scene, way cooler then being stuck on the outskirts of campus, although, one local crew told me that back in the day, this WAS the outskirts of campus...guess I'll see it all when I return for my neices graduation May 2nd..
set List
Mastermind
Treat
Ain't No Time
Bus
Mary
BWG
NBTW
Watchin You
vtforme #1 [-]
Fan
Posts: 186
(04/07/08 13:29:07)
So Ted was that about a 6 hour drive for 45 minute show?
I remember reading that many deadheads consider that the best dead show ever.
As a veteran of 240 Dead concerts, I have to agree.
Find yourself a copy of this show and listen to it REALLY LOUD.
The second set is quite possibly the Dead's best 'post-Pigpen' effort.
The Estimated Prophet / St.Stephen will tell you all you need to know.
Setlist:
01. Mastermind
02. Treat Me Right
03. Ain't No Time
04. Stop The Bus
05. Ah Mary
06. Big White Gate
07. Nothing But The Water (I) >
08. Nothing But the Water (II) >
09. Drums >
10. Nothing BUt the Water >
11. Watchin You
Notes: Opening for O.A.R. First Minute of Mastermind missed, and some sound issues at the beginning due to the lateness of doors (6:45, band went on less than a half hour later.) Questions, email me: daniel@upstatetapers.org
KCowllover #6 [-]
Fan
Posts: 17
(04/08/08 06:17:31)
first of all, as usual I loved the review Van! You always take us right there.
Secondly, THANK YOU for the link to this Dead show!! THANK YOU THANK YOU!!
AND LAST but not LEAST...HOW BOUT THEM JAYHAWKS??!!! ROCK CHALK JAYHAWK GO KU!
Xak151X Nice job #7 [-]
Fan
Posts: 49
(04/08/08 10:48:02)
Nice job as always Van........guess you gave that new car (or new to you car) a nice run out and back.
As far as the Jay Hawks......the ref must have been a Kansas fan because he failed to call the intentional foul right before the 3-pt shot that tied the game in regulation..........
Wally C.
Tedheadone Jayhawks Prevail #8 [-]
Nocturnican
Posts: 279
(04/08/08 11:51:02)
From my Lawrence, KS show post 2/9:
A ticket at face value (because the game has just started), a parking spot, and I head in to ground zero for collegiate basketball in the U.S.
And after a terrific game, it will remain ground zero!! More surprising, Wally, was the non call for a technical when Rose slammed the ball on the floor for a 25 foot high bounce. What a great game, especially since I adopted KU during my visit..
Coach Self would be crazy to leave one of the greatest gigs in the NCAA....
joester #9 [-]
Fan
Posts: 38
(04/10/08 15:12:40)
ReplyQuoteMore
My Recent Posts one away man -
you're right on about the show being a hot one -
it was my second dead show, and even tho I truly didn't "get it"
at the time, I knew my friends and everyone around me "got it"and and it was special
in a way I didn't "get" until 1980. after many years of cassette upgrades, and later, a few more
cd upgrades, I have a 3 cd set that brings me back to that night in a wonderful way....
by the way, I still have the tour shirt (doesn't fit - so it's boxed away), it had the band with the wall of
sound, with the shadow of pigpen on the speaker stack.
"US tour 1977" was in red and blue glitter. ticket stub is in my large photo album filled with tickets (nearly al of my 152 dead
and 35 JGB). a lot of heads will say, "yeah i was there" - I'm one of the 5000 or so that really was there.
damn, I miss that round man on lead guitar......
ready for GPTN here in AZ on 4/25 - an early b-day present for me, one day early.
jam on folks.....
tener coraz
Re: Spring Tour 2008 - 4/25/08 - McDowell Music Festival
Archivist Note - this is one I dragged over from the Posse Forum written by Owllover as it's one of those that should be saved - and I know Van would agree, and probably wished he'd been there standing by Owllover too!
The Day I Met GRACE!
Mountain McDowell Music Festival
Scottsdale AZ
April 25, 2008
Our day began with what supposed to be a short five-minute ride to the festival that turned out to be an hour long with my sister behind the wheel. We could SEE where we were supposed to be, but how to get THERE? It took all my willpower not to jump out of the car and start running after we drove around…and around…and around. We finally get there and I’m so anxious to get out and away from the car that I drag my hand across a cactus in my haste. Not letting a few thorns get in my way now. We get inside and realize we haven’t missed a thing-whew. Get set up right in front and settle in for an unforgettable day.
First few bands are incredible, I love them all, but the Subdudes get notable mention-they got the party started even though there were some sound problems, which they were none to happy about. My hubby Brett bought 40 dollars in raffle tickets to try to get on stage…2 for Grace Potter, 2 for Gov’t Mule, each band getting one entry from each of us. We both knew we would win-no doubt about it, and most likely for GP! They announce the winner and it’s some guy I’ve never even HEARD of before…how can this be? But, it’s time for the show, no use crying over spilt beer when I can be right smack dab in front anyway. I take a few steps up into the crowd in front of the rail hoping to run into some folks I’ve talked to on the GPN boards.
“Joester?” “Joester?” I say, and get some weird looks. All of a sudden I hear OWLLOVER?? And there he is, the Joester, hanging with Ludlow. We say hello and hug and the excitement is at an all time high. I’ll include the set list later because honestly I can’t repeat back song for song, but let me just say this, I have never heard the band sound so good, and they played all the usuals but also including Otis Redding’s Pain in My Heart that was HOT HOT HOT. Grace looked amazing in a colorful shirt, short denim skirt, boots (not red) and white shades that I think she was sporting on the Jam Cruise. The second song was Treat Me Right, and that is when I knew it was going to be a show to remember. Scott was ripping it up from the start, and at one point I see something go flying off from Matt way up into the air and into the distance. I have no idea what it was-I originally thought they were sunglasses but now I’m not so sure. Bryan was cool as a cucumber as usual, but the energy level was flying off the stage so strong and it was bouncing off the crowd ..it was IN CREDIBLE. Believe it or not there was a breeze in the desert that day, and I’m sure the band was as thankful as the crowd was. So, even when Grace wasn’t throwing all that hair around the breeze kept it in constant motion. It kinda made it feel cooler just watching all that hair flying around. Lots of hair going on with the Nocturnals if you guys hadn’t noticed…they definitely could fit right in with the bands of the 60’s. I notice that everyone in front of the stage is singing along at the top of their lungs and dancing like there is no tomorrow. Hey, these folks out west know this great band and know them well! I’m amongst good company.
At one point I grab my camera and Joester says JUST KEEP TAKING THOSE PICTURES because it is like watching poetry in motion, and with every click I am saying to myself WOW. Grace does a gravity defying back bend at the B3 that my bro in law promises me he caught on film but I have yet to see it. Everyone in my crew-sister and her hubby, her friend and my hubby Brett have smiles a mile wide and the Nocs are just blowing them away. During the show I called vtshome (Dave) I think 3 or 4 times, just holding that fone high hoping he was actually hearing the band and not static, and he tells me they sounded awesome. The drum solo was near to the end, and I banged that cowbell high and hard. I’m pretty sure the band had no idea, but those around me sure did! There were plenty of tapers there, so I can’t wait until we see some posts from the day.
On to the meet and greet. Basically, the line was a MILE LONG. Everyone wanted to meet this band. We grabbed our spot in the very back, and I admit to taking a quick port a potty break and checking in the teeny tiny mirror that I had no mascara running down my face or dirt on my chin. About 3 people to go and I am REALLY NERVOUS…not even sure what was going on because my heart was racing and I was trying to calm down and figure out what to say. And this is how it went down…according to witnesses at the scene. I’d tell you myself, but apparently during situations such as these…there are huge gaps in my memory. All I can say is it went really fast…but was also very slow, I felt like I said nothing but I think I said a lot. I definitely choked when I first tried to talk, and I mean literally. Went to speak, some garbledy gook terrible sound came out, and the blood rushed to my head. I recover quickly but it seems to take forever, and I lay my new cowbell shirt down, smooth it out in front of Grace, and I hear her say ‘IS THIS A NEW ONE?” And I say yes, that I came from Kansas City and I’m a member of the posse, and I say (I think) owllover , and I see a bit of recognition in Jen hearing that. Grace autographs my shirt. I said I have many friends on the posse like Dave and John, and the minute I say John’s name Jen gets a big smile and says “JOHN!! JOHN!!” and she’s smiling and nodding. I think Jen was really feeling for me and trying to help me because she can tell I am seriously flustered and nervous and freaking out. So then I think I go into how I love the band, how I love their music, and this all gets fuzzy but somehow I guess I get teary eyed and I hear someone say “look she’s crying” Seriously, could I be any more cheezy? Can someone get this girl a Prozac??!! My sister Dana says this is about the time when Jen reached out and was touching Grace’s arm and saying “look how cute she is!” She says Jen said it several times, and I’m sure was meaning how overwhelmed I was. So Grace stands up and opens her arms wide and says, “Let me give you a HUG!” and I walk into those outstretched arms and hug her big. Behind me to my right, my bro in law says WAIT! I GOTTA GET THIS PICTURE, so we break apart, turn to him hug again and he takes the shot. Then my hubby behind me to my left says WAIT, I GOTTA GET A PICTURE TOO so again we break apart, come together in another hug and snap, he gets the shot. THREE hugs…I got THREE HUGS!! I mention to Grace that I am coming to Vermont to see them, and she says YOU ARE?? And I say WATERFRONT, and her smile is a mile wide and she says awesome and that they really love coming home and playing at Waterfront, that it is a great night and will be a blast. And at some point during this meeting, she takes my shirt back, and above her autograph she writes YOU RULE!! How f’ing cool is THAT??!!
It is then my sister and her groups turn so I step away and meet a girl who came from Vermont to see the band, and we talk a bit (what about I have no idea, I’m just on cloud nine) and get our picture taken together. The next thing I remember is the security guy kind of encouraging us to move along as there are many left all waiting for Grace. (By the way, the guys let Grace do the meet and greet on her own….DOGS!!)
For the sake of wrapping this thing up, the rest of the night was a blur, I kept on drinking until the music was done, I smoked (again) and quit (again), and I may not remember every song that was sung, but I sang every song, loved every minute, and it was worth every single freaking mile to be there that day. Can’t forget to mention that Grace and Scott came back on stage during the Mule set for the most unbelievable TAKE ME TO THE RIVER I have ever had the privilege of hearing. And thank the Lord above; I got a bit of it on video. I’ll let you know where and when you can view it! A finer ass I have never seen shaken, that’s all I’m sayin.
AMEN! Now go to bed kids and don’t forget to brush your teeth.
P.S. I love you Grace Potter and the Nocturnals
P.S.S. we didn’t get on stage for Gov’t Mule either
OH, and another thing, I’m GLAD we didn’t get on stage. I wouldn’t have got my picture taken by that photographer during my favorite band, and I was FAR too f$%^d up to be on stage during Mule. Wouldda made an ASS out of myself, that is fo sho.
joester MMMF - WOW! #28 [-]
Fan
Posts: 47
(04/28/08 08:02:36)
what a great show -
thanks to Amy, Scott and the rest of the folks down front - the band and the good times just keep getting better and better!
the Otis Redding song - Pain In My Heart - what's the anagram used these days? -OMFG!!!
just off the hook! Amy - you have some pics from that song - the one with Grace wrapping her right arm around her head as she sang - PERFECT capture of that moment and emotion! I'll be waiting for a CD of ALL your pics - thank you!
please, someone find this show on line somewhere - my best GPTN show by far, and I need a copy, PLEASE!
also, the end of Gov't Mule, with Robert Randolph sitting in during Soulshine - what a great encore to a great day.
a happy birthday indeed!
