Atlanta Setlist

Wow. What a show, what a weekend. Stoger just left our house after a breakfast loaded with eggs, bacon & Lu conversation and was very kind to indulge me afterwards while I showed off my Lu gig poster collection. He’s on his way back to Tennessee as I type this – God’s Speed in this weather, my friend.

We were up front and center of the Tabernacle for the show here in Atlanta last night, leaning on the edge of the stage at Lu’s feet. It was one of the best 20 or so shows I have seen. A great mix of old & new, “crooners” and rockers, and some new (for me) covers thrown in to spice things up. I was in awe all night. Stoger, Sarah & I did not get a chance to visit w/ Lu after the show last night, but Tom was gracious enough to come out & say “Hi” and take some things back stage to get signed (I picked up a copy of the Buick 6 CD at the merch table & he got all the guys less Butch (who was already on the bus) to sign it for me. Lu was taking some down time back stage to visit w/ the guys in Buick 6, understandably so, so we missed her this evening.

Back to the show. Things to note from my perspective: Lu and the band were firing on ALL cylinders at the Tabernacle. They were all ON, and Butch in particular was on fire. He ROCKED. Lu was in fine form – there were zero false starts, and her voice was beautiful. And not to be outdone, Chet, Eric & David kept up with the pace. Finally, the crowd was awesome. Everyone was really getting into the show, singing along on many of the songs. After last night, Lu should know without a doubt that we Atlantans LOVE HER!!!

I finally got to hear “Side Of The Road” live – not once, but twice! Once in B’ham, again in Atlanta. Just Lu on acoustic & Chet on electric. Awesome. Chills up & down my spine. Thanks, Lu.

The covers of Jimi Hendrix’s “Angel” (just Lu on acoustic) and Rod Stewart & The Faces’ “Every Picture Tells A Story” (the whole band) were both firsts for me, and they were both incredible. “Angel” was sweet & pure, “Every Picture…” rocked. A great rendition of both, and a very interesting contrast in style of covers.

Chet played harmonica on one track (my memory from shows is terrible, so stoger will have to fill in the actual song) and David upright bass on a couple others. Chet played some great pedal steel on “Lake Charles” and several other songs. Musically, this was a wonderful, wonderful show.

Lu’s speech against the corporate powers that be at TM/LN was VERY well-received as you can imagine. Her obvious passion about the issue was great. One thing stoger & I noticed at Will Call was they were having problems getting tickets printed from the computer system there at the window, blaming the switchover. Between the secrecy of the switchover, the confusion regarding the point of sale after the first of January, and this final snafu, I am sure that was why the show was not quite a sellout. Much Luck to Lu & Tom in getting something done about it going forward.

Some funny anecdotes: There was a gorgeous, young buxom blonde up front with an extremely low-cut dress on that caught everyone’s attention (including David’s if I read his grinning and the direction of several of his gazes during the first encore correctly). She was with a group of friends (college girls, perhaps?) who were enthusiastically getting into the show, singing along with every song. Obviously, true fans – I love to see anyone getting into Lu’s music so much. Stoger and I actually chatted with her after the show while we were waiting for Tom to come out & she was a nice youg lady to boot – from LA (“Lower Alabama”) no less. I do not recall her name, but hats off to her.

It was nice meeting Lafayette from this forum. Stoger, Sarah & I enjoyed a very late dinner / early breakfast (1:00 AM) with her at a late night downtown diner (w/ very bad karaoke downstairs) that we finally found after wandering around downtown Atlanta in the cold rain finding place after place that was just closing. Thanks to her for making the long drive down from Ohio. I’m sure she’ll post up after she gets back home.

And it was also nice meeting Randy & Kathy from Birmingham. They were also at the B’ham show the night before, although stoger & I did not meet them until waiting in line for doors last night. They are self-confessed “lurkers” here – hopefully they will join up so we can hear from them! They are huge Lu fans & got a setlist that someone from the crew took back for Lu to sign. Score!

Sarah got a show-used drumstick at the end of the show that was inscribed in black Sharpie “Lucinda Williams, Little Honey Tour 2009”, as did Lafayette – very nice souvenirs.

That’s all that comes to mind for now. Between the very, VERY special night in B’ham night before last & last night here in Atlanta, this was a Lu weekend that I will always treasure and certainly never, ever forget. Thanks again to stoger for being my “wing man” all weekend. He made it even better.

Tom

P.S. In the “Last But Not Least” department: A special “Thanks” goes out to Tom Overby who once again proved to be the best manager in the business by showing his true concern for & appreciation of Lu’s fans. His efforts are much appreciated.

@stoger wrote:

21 Motherless Children [with an emphasis on the Macon, GA residence of Blind Pearlie Brown]

Oh yeah, I meant to elaborate on this. Being a Georgia Boy, Lu’s anecdote here was meaningful (and new) to me. She said that, while living in Macon, GA as a child (“in the early 60’s” was the time frame she gave), her father took her to see Blind Pearly Brown sing. She said that this was her introduction to Delta Blues.

More info on Blind Pearly Brown can be found here. More info on him can be found here. (Americus is a small town in SW Georgia about 70 SSW from Macon as the crow flies and is now best known as the home of the organization Habitat For Humanity. His birthplace, Abbeville, is about 60 miles due east of Americus).

Tom

Great reports! So it wasn’t snowing yet by showtime? I’ll bet LW is having a hellish ride to DC is the storm.

This from sunny So Cal.

Did anyone notice the couple right in front of Chet who spent most of the show making out? I’m not sure they saw much of the show. Hope they heard it!

@Pnin wrote:

Did anyone notice the couple right in front of Chet who spent most of the show making out? I’m not sure they saw much of the show. Hope they heard it!

I saw them! They were totally into the show and into each other. I think it is great to see someone out having a good time. A Lu concert is the perfect romantic date (hint hint to my significant other). What an awesome evening. EVERYONE was having a great time.

Thanks for the setlist. I have compiled it into a playlist for my ipod and am reliving it as I write.

“…a light, cold rain & about 40 degrees.”
Shorts & t-shirt weather in my neck of the woods! 😆

It was snowing 11:30 a.m. downtown Atlanta when I pulled out. Husband suggested I get out of there ASAP, Atlanta is not use to dealing with snow. Today I saw a report there were all kinds of accidents in downtown Atlanta due to sloppy conditions but I had no problems. I did witness an interstate size Burger King sign blow down as I was fueling up in Tennessee. That was a little frightening, heard it ripping, saw it hanging and swaying, and then the wind blew it down in front of the restaurant. SWOOSH.

I missed the couple grooving to Lu, too. I only remember the buxom blonde.

I also was thinking about the snow followng Lu up the East Coast. Looks like Birmingham got hammered. She got out of both cities just in time.