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Just got in from seeing Lu in Lowell,MA . It was a great show in my opinion except that some clown from the audience yelled out Pink Floyd and that didn’t sit well with Lu . She had a melt down of sorts and started ranting and raving but later appologized. I loved the show because she played 2 of my favorites,Blue and Ventura. I was also sitting front row center and got a bunch of nice pictures. The weather was very nice but at one point the bugs got thick and Lu chocked on one at the beginning of 2 Kool 2 Be Forgotten and had to start over. This was my 5th time seeing Lu and I just wish she wouldn’t be the back the backup band for John Cougar so we could see her more.
I too was at the show last night, but was disappointed. She started out okay, even though she screwed up the lyrics of the second song, and we were thoroughly enjoying the show. Then it seemed to go downhil a bit. The drummer played the wrong song, but she and the band handled it well and came off with humility. But as the show progressed, I thought her voice sounded a little tired and it didn’t seem as though they were all clicking. I saw her last year at the orpheum and felt it was a much more powerful performance. Again, we were still very much enjoying the show until she had the meltdown. Just because some jackass yells out Pink Floyd doesn’t mean you have to berate the entire audience with F bombs.
Most of the audience was there because they love her and I thought it was an innapropriate over reaction. It killed the entire mood of the show. I think she was using it as an excuse a little bit for the sub par performance, becuase she stated “it affects the whole band!” One guy yelling out Pink Floyd screws up the whole band? I don’t think so, not very professional. All and all, we had a very good time. It was a beautiflul and venue to see a show. It’s too bad she let that one dumbass get under her skin.A lot of people in the audience were asking her to “pick it up”, because most of the early songs were pretty much in the same slow tempo. She referenced this a couple of times (“you’ll like this one” or “this will take you down”) before the Floyd comment which apparently sent her over the edge. You would think that a seasoned performer would have thicker skin, especially since the audience was clearly digging the show. They just were asking for a few more rocking numbers to be thrown in the mix. I was sure she was going to walk off after her little snit-fit but I’m glad she calmed down. I had to explain about temperamental musicians to my 11 year old. Lucinda is such a great songwriter but I’m amazed how fragile she still is.
BTW, what’s up with the sheet music? She had this in front of her at her last Orpheum show, too, but I thought that was the start of a tour or something. She must need this crutch, too.
The Pink Floyd request did ruin Lu’s mood for a few songs. Thought it ironic she’d get pissed at that and then proceed to cover the Doors & AC/DC. Love the new band.
7-12-2008
Rescue
Venture
Reason To Cry
Overtime (thanks for the correction Tim)
Blue
Fruits of My Labor
Tears of Joy
2 Cool 2 Be Forgotten
Out of Touch
Little Rock Star
Real Love
Righteously
Are You Down
Come On
Honey Bee
Joy>
Riders of the Storm>
Joy
E:
Bone of Contention (Lu solo)
Unsuffer Me
It’s a Long Way to the TopWow. Sounds like an exciting night. People who shout out stupid crap during the show like “Freebird” or “Pink Floyd” should be shot instantly.
I thought the Pink Floyd shout-out woke up the sleeping giant in Lucinda. Up to that point, I thought she was a bit boring and conservative but after her tirade, she sang the rest of the set with a new anger that brings her to her peak performance. Let’s face it, she’s known to have an edge and if anyone is surprised at her f-bombs, they don’t know her music at all. She’s raw, passionate, and honest and that’s why I was there. I really think she needs to get rid of the lyrics perched in front of her – the past 2 shows (Orpheum and last nite), she seemed to need the crutch and that takes away from her performance. If she can’t remember lyrics, she needs to stop taking our money.
It was quite a night last night, didn’t lack for drama that’s for sure. The setlist that was posted was correct, except that Overtime followed Reason To Cry. I really liked the start of the show; those first six songs were just done beautifully. Thank you Lucinda, for playing “Blue”; your voice sounded great and I thought it was the best version of it I’ve ever heard. 2-Kool was aborted three times before they got it right. One time someone missed the count-in, another there was a bee in Doug’s shirt, and the last time Lucinda had a coughing fit. Looks like her guitar tech came out with a bottle of cough syrup which she drank and had no more problems after that. Great version of “Out Of Touch” with Doug’s guitar entering the stratosphere! After “Little Rock Star”, she said that we’re going to do another new song. That’s when the guy yelled out, “play some Pink Floyd”. Lucinda did not look happy but only said, “I wish I knew some”. Right after the song ended is when the explosion happened. Guitar tech came out to help her with the book, and she went on an expletive filled diatribe for a few minutes. She mentioned “I don’t know what to do now; you have no idea what it’s like being up here; you’ve ruined the vibe of the band & the show; I hope you didn’t pay to come in here; if you don’t like it why don’t you just leave, etc. (without expletives.)
I thought that she might leave, but thankfully she didn’t. After this, “Righteously” got off to a ragged sounding start, but a great solo from Doug pulled it back together. At this point what I thought I saw & heard was the band rallying around their boss and just playing so hard that they got her spirit back into the show. Doug’s guitar got grittier; Butch’s drums sharper & louder; David’s bass was booming and Chet, who is usually stationary on stage became animated and was moving around the stage. A number of times he was facing Butch’s drums and grinding as he played rhythm guitar.
Towards the end of “Joy” Lucinda got the tech on stage and said something to him; next thing I saw was him scrambling on stage with a few pages that he stuck on top of the book. It turned out that they did all of “Riders”. “Bone Of Contention” was done solo and sounded good. Her spirits were much better now. She apologizied for the “minor meltdown” at this point. Great, burning version of “Unsuffer Me”, and then “Long Way to The Top” which got everyone up on their feet. All in all I really enjoyed the show, but there were some ups and downs.
P.S. This is just my opinion, but from hearing some comments and talking to other people, I think Lu may be playing too many unreleased (in some cases unrecognizable to them) songs for some people’s tastes. I think they’re going to see her, but also want to hear songs that they know and are familiar with. She’s doing 5 or 6 a night and when you think of it, that’s a third of the show! I think if she limited it to 2 new songs per night it may go over better with alot of her audience. The time to do 5,6 or 7 of them per night will be after the album comes out and people are more familiar with them.
Also saw Paul from LA at the show and got to speak with him. He had the best seat in the park; on a blanket right under Lucinda’s mike! Hopefully, Paul, you got back to LA safely and you had no trouble with your rental car. Paul may have the best take of what happened on stage because he was right there.
Thanks to the sound crew for playing Neil Young’s Harvest & Prairie Wind albums before the show. Buick 6 was great again!Thank you all for your comments, and welcome to the newcomers.
Tim, you had a very telling remark, imho…
“…what I thought I saw & heard was the band rallying around their boss and just playing so hard that they got her spirit back into the show.”
If that doesn’t define a band, what does ❓Thanks, Tim. I’ll take a “minor” meltdown anyday over some of the [major?] ones of yore, though I can’t say I’ve witnessed the low end. That cough syrup anecdote is priceless, and the bee in Doug’s shirt vs. the choking on a bug by Lu issue tops it all. I agree partially with you on the number of new songs per set, though since she’s mainly opening these tour dates, with limited time, I certainly understand her wanting to trot out a half dozen or so new ones in a full (which can mean anywhere from 15-25 songs) set. Looking forward to Atlanta in this regard.
And yes, where is our west coast blanket guy to give us an up close and personal report?
The show in Lowell last night was my 1st time seeing LW live. I’m actually
not super familiar with her work (I used to have Car Wheels & WW/OT on a tape someone made for me) but after last night I want to seek out ALL of her stuff. LOVED the show but it wasn’t at all what I was expecting after hearing those two records. The band (Buick 6) was great, & Lucinda
had an *incredible* presence. I thought it was cool that she had the music (lyrics) stand; it reminded me of when I saw Marianne Faithfull at the Paradise a couple of years ago. Do people really have a problem with that?
The ‘Pink Floyd’ drama was great-it gave the performance a healthy dose of tension. I personally thought her reaction was totally punk rock.
I love that she chose to demystify/break down the the whole process /concept of the idea of a safe, passive listening experience where the band is just totally subservient to the (paying) audience. Who ever said
a concert is supposed to be just for the passive edification/pure enjoyment of the listener? Why must an artist deliver only what is expected or desired? My ears are still ringing & I consider it a gift. Well done Lucinda & Buick 6.Lucinda and her band were great. She started out with these slow sensual songs and I actually heard a song bird become so inspired, it sang with her. No lie. Her voice was amazing in the first part of the set and I feel that was worth it all. As far as the Pink Floyd thug? The guy was an ass and the other people pushing for more hard-core music probably upset her. It upset me and I was just in the audience. So she gave him a tongue lashing, big whoop and good for her to stick up for herself and her band. I remember seeing The Who in the Garden and someone pitched a bottle on stage and Pete Townsend stopped the song and berated the guy (who was eventually thrown out) and then they went on as if nothing happened. Pete used some pretty colorful expletives on him that made Lu sound like Mother Terese. All in all, she was amazing and I saw a legend. Her band was the bomb. I’d see again in a heartbeat.
Hey everyone,
I was at the show as well. It was a colorful night indeed. Personally, I wouldn’t change a thing. Tempo, new songs, melt down. etc. just added to the whole evening. At the end of the day, Lucinda and band rocked the house. See ya at the next one.
Steve J
Isis, I heard the songbird also. What an experience that was! It kept it’s singing up for at least the first five or six songs. Those songs were too beautiful for it to keep quiet. It was in a tree just to my right. Thanks for mentioning it.
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