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This is not the night to be losing an hour of sleep.
Setlist follows, report to come
I Just Wanted
Happy Woman Blues
People Talking
Circles and X’s
Pineola
Can’t Let Go
Side Of The Road
Greenville
Jackson
Blue (!), Lu hugs Eric at end
Rock Star (brief moment of Chet on pedal steel)
Tears Of Joy
Are You Down
Real Love
Essence
Bleeding Fingers
Come On
Honeybee
Righteously
Motherless Children (Lu solo)
Unsuffer Me
Joy
Top
Angeltime change or not, i’m up, still running on garden state parkway rest area coffee soo…
Visions has an accurate setlist. The Chet joined Lu on Side of the Road. Eric played mandolin on People Talking. The 2nd encore was a very nice surprise; quite a few had already headed for the exits, and turned around to hear the Hendrix song, Sweet Angel — a beautiful Lu solo; she mentioned a birthday (bridgette?) — didn’t quite catch this full reference….
Lovely show — abt 2 hrs, starting at around 9:20. Overheard someone on the way out say it was “long — just like the old days..” (well, it wasn’t a 4 hr show, but still it seemed full, 24 songs, and a lot of the catalog was covered )
I was thinking that this standing venue, and crowd, might kick Lu into a rockin’ show. But it was not to be, although by the end, Honeybee and Come On had the crowd moving, as did Long Way to the Top and Joy in the encore.
Just my observation, but it seemed Lu was a bit subdued. Not in a mood, but just kind of inwardly reflective perhaps, for a good part of the show. Whatever, it only added to a more intimate feel, and drew us in. She warmed up, seemed to genuinely appreciate the audience, and the Wellmont acoustics too (“great sounding room”).
Lu rapped briefly about the ticket charges, how she is a “natural born rebel” and fighting the surcharges, and thanked all for spending their hard earned-money to come out.
No sliver of midriff tonight — Lu was dressed in a black subtly striped top, over a black shirt and beige corduroys. With her new dark hair, i had a flash of Chryssie Hynde. Lu with a hint of punk! I like it.
Susannah, the merch girl, seemed pleased to know that she and her table have become part of the postings here. Bought a Buick6 CD…
OK, coffee’s rapidly wearing off. I think the time change has already occurred! G’night.
Thank you for posting the set list. I was wondering that cover song was; I’m glad to know it. It was very pretty. It was not my favorite venue at all, and the evening was not a total success, and I personally think 9:30 is just plain too late for a headlining artist to come out, even on a Saturday; it’s just inconsiderate. I don’t get the deal with that, and I am not an old fuddy duddy but a college student. But the set list was wonderful, and she was definitely into it. It was great to see “Blue” and “I Just Wanted” played, and “Essence” was a slam dunk, and “Unsuffer Me” was off the charts. And “Side of the Road,” don’t even talk to me. That song is impossible to get wrong. I would love to see more non-CTL off the s/t record like “Passionate Kisses” and “Like a Rose” more often than she has done them, and SOTR was a real treat. It was a special night, and it was great to at last see Lucinda play a solo show in my state.
Wow, the setlists continue to astound… In regards to the comment about the “old days,” it’s true, LWs shows could go marathon but what was most interesting was that the main set would often be small–only 13 to 16 songs. But Lucinda was known to fall into a groove during her encore–it was not unusual to see her play 8 to 10+ songs. I remember talking with her when she was beginning her CWOGR tour in small clubs–right before she caught everyone’s ear–and she commented on how she falls into her creative abyss in this way. Also, LWs has never really been a chatty-cathy as a performer. This is one of the qualities that I personally enjoy about her–she is not a charismatic performer but this is not why I go see her concerts–to be “entertained” by a performer. When I do go it’s because she is one of the best songwriters ever to come out of the United States–in the vein of Hank and Johnny and Lyle–and her music is, for me, super reflective not Rolling Stones projective…
Was at the beautiful Wellmont Theater last night with my 9 year old son. I’ve been going to Lucinda Williams concerts since 1987, the last time at the awful WaMu Theater in NYC last fall (should have known that WaMu would soon go under!) I was actually reluctant to go last night, since I thought the set lists were always pretty much the same, and I was getting a bit bored. But my son is a huge fan (it must be genetic), and off we went. And good thing too. I was awestruck, and reminded me once again why I keep coming back. No one else can do what she does. Her voice, always captivating, got better, stronger, more layered, and more stunning as the night went on. The Side of the Road made me cry. The last song, a Jimi Hendrix cover I had never heard before, made me wish I could freeze time and so I could sit there and keep listening to her sing that song forever. Who else can still surprise like that after all these years? Thank you Lucinda for taking me through the last 23 years (ey gods)and reminding me what it means to keep following your gut. BTW, I once commented on this board that her cry for “Peace, Love, and Revolution” to end her shows was irksome, as revolution and peace were, to me, a political scientist, contradictory things. Well, she dropped the revolution part last night, and I realized that she was right after all. We did have a revolution in November, it was peaceful, and positive, and once again Lucinda’s wisdom transcends.
ok, now with a bit of sleep:
I agree with Ray about the subdued/reflective mood. Looking at this show on paper I expected a set more on the rocking side, especially compared with the seated Keswick show the night before. Definetely still worked though, at least from the very front.
I can’t recall any venue where the audience can get quite that close to the stage. There is no pit or barrier, the crowd comes right to the front, plus they seem to set up the band very close to the front edge. The first row could easily reach out and grab Lu’s mic stand. In fact the two women dfc reached out and peeled off the setlist between encores, which seems a bit much. I was one back from them and figure Lu was no more than 6 feet away.
As in most venues, soundwise you’re probably better back a little bit. Particularly would make sense here as they have small fill in speakers mounted right on the front of the stage and if you are next to one that is mostly what you hear. I got a chance to look around the venue a bit post show and it seems like some really nice spots to hang, they have three built in levels on the floor and the first “step” right behind the soundboard with a low barrier to put drinks seems like it would be primo if you’re comfortable 15 or so rows back.
I know Montclair a bit, and heard horror stories about parking. I grabbed a spot on a side street about 1/3 of a mile of so from the venue and am glad I did, the area right around the venue is jammed post show plus you’ve got the stress of a ton of flashing blue lights besides.
If not sold out had to be very, very close especially on the floor.
I took a quick look at the stage setlist post show and there were no changes, not even any song choices listed.
Eric tried to get David to take a bass solo during Joy, no dice.
Thanks for the last couple nights Lu, catch you next time.
I love the Wellmont.. but a lot of people were not happy about standing room only (no seats) on the floor. I was buying tickets to a show coming up in the future at the Wellmont at the box office and two people in front of me were complaining how they were “too old” to have to stand the whole time. They wouldn’t exchange their tickets, but did tell them that if they wanted to the usher might be able to seat them in the balcony anyway since there were still going to be open seats there.
I know the Wellmont since I only live 15 minutes from there (and this was my 7th show at the venue), so I know if you want a seat (like I do) go for General Admission Balcony. I was there early enough to get front row on the balcony and the show was great.
For me it got off to a “slow” start.. but built up in emotion and power as the night went on.
What really got me was that very few people near where I was sitting seemed to want an encore (it was like it was something that was going to happen anyway). So after “Long Way to the Top” everybody or most everybody in the balcony starts streaming out. I stand there feeling a little foolish still clapping as hard as I could to try and get another song. Lo and Behold Lucinda walks out and plays the beautiful “Angel”.. while people are trying to run back to their seats. 😆
Where is the love and excitement people… automatically leaving before the house lights come up like you know the show is going to end when YOU think it going to end. I was so glad to see Lucinda walk out do “Angel”, which was a fitting end to a great night.
Someone mentioned the Birthday shout out Lucinda did. Well as she walked out for the second encore, someone close to the stage foisted a piece of paper up to Lucinda. She looked at it and out of the goodness of her heart read what was on there… so obviously someone in the audience near the stage was having a birthday and Lucinda was kind enough to read the paper and make it known to the crowd at the Wellmont.
in my fogginess this morning, replaying last night in my head, i’ll add that “moving” is a good description to add to this show. Although Lucinda played a lot of songs, she avoided many of her “greatest hits”. But the setlist was wondrous, and it created an experience that had surprising layers of emotion and feeling.
I have to say I love the Wellmont. Visions is right about audience and stage — so close! And if you don’t want to stand, the GA balcony seating seems close enough. A bar with good beer, too! Something for everybody, really.
Although the break between Buick6 and Lu’s appearance seemed long, I would have loved for the show to go on into the wee hours. No complaints from me about staying out late for Lu!! It even felt like she might have done a 3rd encore, if the crowd had only asked.
All the silly, superficial issues from the past (“the book,” etc) seem to have faded into the irrelevant distance.
i remember Amy’s comments about Lu’s sign-off from the last nj show in sept ’07, and she’s right: no need for revolution anymore, just peace and love.
Although the break between Buick6 and Lu’s appearance seemed long, I would have loved for the show to go on into the wee hours.
Yeah I thought the same thing, especially since Buick6 is her backing band. There should actually be no break – they should do their set and then announce Lucinda right out at the end of their set and never leave the stage. Why a break, when it is the same band, same equipment, etc.
I guess they needed more than 1/2 hour to remove the extra drum set and place a rug down for Lucinda. 🙄
Oh well, it is what it is, and it was good regardless.
Wow, it’s noon already on a beautiful Sunday, after midnight public transport from Montclair to Manhattan, lots of needed sleep, and setting the clock ahead. Thanks for the setlists and previous discussions. Nothing to add musically–just a warning for attending the Wellmont: there is no coat check. If you’re planning to stand for 4 hours, with a jacket and/or coat, plan ahead, dress lightly, or know the sound engineer, who can stash your coat in the sound booth. Just a few afternoon hours till Grand Central, and Metro North to Peekskill.
Thanks for the set list & reports. Sounds like another great show. This tour has been incredible. Seeing two shows was not enough! Wish I could get up to the NE for more, but the budget simply won’t allow it… 🙁
Tom
show saturday night was ok, setlist didn’t do it for
me. as someone mentioned, the middle section was very
introspective. saw four songs i’ve never seen in 20 or so
previous shows but none were anything i really care to
hear. but, the fact she has been changing things up so
consistently is a major plus. even if saturday night wasn’t
my dream setlist i’m thrilled shhe’s taking the approach
and attitude of keeping things fresh.as far as the sorta new band, they’re, uh, sorta of noisy.
i’ve talked how much i enjoyed a previous configuration
and the subtlety they brought emphasizing the best
instrument on stage. lucinda. this group, we’ll see, it’s early on.>she’s not a charismatic perfomer…..
my gopod, where do you start with something like that?
she may not jump around like a chicken on acid but, regardless
how you feel about the backing band, stage antics at any
given show, whatever, that woman is a presence. some performers
have it, others, not so much. lucinda williams is major presence
when she walks out. well, imo anyway.
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