10/2 Town Hall

Haven’t read the Newsweek review yet as I wanted to post first. I thought the concert was fabulous. Her voice was wonderful, Car Wheels as amazing as when I first heard it and the second set was fascinating. I thought some of the singing was great, some of the guests seemed mediocre to my taste and Steve Earle was excellent. Most important though was that I felt like I was part of a real artistic event staged by real people. I hate all these totally scripted concerts that leave me feeling I could have listened to a cd or watched a music video. These were human beings reacting as such. I found it sometimes uncomfortable which when one thinks of her songs is not surprising but also incredibly moving. Lucinda Williams tells her own story in her songs and in her shows. If one is looking for a smooth flawless event choose another performer. I also respect her wish to deliver her songs as she intends and her unwillingness to just slide over what she feels is an inadequate rendition.

I suppose at the end of the day I go to a live concert for an experience more than just to hear music and I will remember this concert in alot more detail than many smoother ones that I have attended over the years. She respects her audience enough to feel that she has to deliver quality. She also shares her essence.

I was wondering that myself. He was treated pretty poorly during his set on Saturday and didn’t even play a set aside from his one-song “special guest” appearance during sunday’s. Maybe he was put off.

The kid’s really talented. I’ve been listening to him since Saturday. He just needs to lose the ascott.

This is not the first time I have agreed with Tim but I suspect that Doug may not stay on much longer. He is an individual player with a fantastic style and totally complementary to Lucinda’s songs. Hopefully the pay is too good…..

As for Lost It’s allegation that I seek perfection; All I want from any artist is commitment. I saw Lucinda in London in 2003 and she was fabulous as was her band. Same venue 3 years later she was poor and so was her band. Not Doug mind you…and for me he can never be loud enough.

And it is the very roughness of Lucinda’s live work that I love so much – warts n all. Listen to the live album – raw bliss in a box to me. Lucinda should bear in mind that there are customers in the venue and behave accordingly – and dont give me the stock line about compromising her artistic integrity, she’s selling tickets like everybody else and she has to acknowledge the audience.

I was there, and yet, after reading these posts, almost feel as if I wasn’t! Or, that I am simplistic in my music tastes, or easily impressed…!

Overall I thought the show was great (see what I mean!). I have “only” seen Lu 6 or 8 times, so admittedly I do not have the body of work some other posters do, but I have to tell you – I love the concept (album a night) the CD being available immediately (listened to mine on way home, and again this AM – more on that later) and frankly just love her shows.

Now, I am not blindly faithful; “yes”, I thought she started slow, and did not look into it; maybe I am somewhat used to that…

I sat right behind the guy who yelled about Doug’s guitar, and frankly, I thought it WAS too low; I will not comment on whether his yelling that out was appropriate – I did think the rest of the show was better because I could hear Doug better….so, go figure.

I thought Steve Earle was great…other guests were good also…
I spoke with one of the guys doing the filming (for DVD?) and he said that, so far, the LA shows easily top the NY shows….oh well…He also said he first worked for/with Lu back when Bo Ramsey played with her…he was connected with Bo….Finally, he said that before the show, he and Doug were outside and David Byrne came by on a bike, and they said “hey David, what are you doing tonight? Want to play at the show?” Showed me his cell phone, with Byrne’s number..obviously he did not show, but only in NY

And, finally, I thought the guitar solo during Joy was great….but, what I missed live was a little riff from Heartbreaker (that of Led Zeppelin fame)…near the end…..heard it this morning on the CD though…kind of cool….was wondering who snuck that in!!

All in all, I wish I were going again tonight!! Oh, and bought a couple of the other CDs too…..at $20 I did not think they were a bad deal at all…..$20 for a spontaneous look at a fabulous artist…..not bad at all…

Ok, have at me!!

I love LW’s music, and that she’s fragile, raw, and emotionally exposed. But, I gotta say, how long has she been performing that she can’t read a mixed review and not let it affect her performance later that night? After *30* years of performing, I would hope that her skin had thickened a little and that she could recognize that a review is just one person’s opinion, and that she shouldn’t let it affect her performance for hundreds of people who *do* like her, her music, and her shows.

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fakebook? are you refering to the lyric book she has on the music stand?
If so, she always has it. And if you have ever seen Neil Young solo you would see he has one on stage with him as well.[/quote]

that is correct, i am referring to the lyric book. I’ve seen Neil several times, and he has never had a lyric sheet book with him…I saw him as recently as last month (Farm Aid) and I didn’t see a book….I’m just saying I think its unusual.