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Random thoughts on last night in Utica…
The venue – – described by Lu as “intimate, casual, loose” – – was the F.X. Matt Brewing Co. in Utica, NY. Matt brews such nectar as Saranac and Utica Club (Schultz & Dooley, don’t ya know).
The immediate streets around the brewery were closed off to cars, and the stage was set up in small courtyard right next to the red brick Brew House. Every now and then, I could see a worker looking out a brewery window at the action below, which was pretty relaxed. Beer flowed, but not freely ($2.50 per cup). Good people watching; mostly boomers. I would guess the crowd size at about 1,000. The weather could not have been better – – balmy with an occasional breeze.
I was looking forward to seeing Charlie Louvin open at 7. At around 7:20, a young guy in a cowboy hat and a guitar stepped to the mic and announced that the Louvin bus had broken down en route and that he was the “last-minute fill-in.” Mike Ryan (Michael P. Ryan), by name and by way of Syracuse. He played 6 or 7 songs, which were just fine, and skeedaddled. Mike has a new album, “Ride Out.”
Lu’s buses were parked right next to the stage on the left side. I wandered over to see who might be coming and going before her set. Doug came out for a smoke, but I left him alone. A few minutes later, Lu stepped out and I shouted, “Thanks for coming, Lu!” She turned and gave me a little wave and smile. Showtime.
After openers Fruits and Pineola, and a big reaction from the crowd, Lu said “You’re kind of genuine.” Big Red Sun followed with the first of what would be three false starts. No “diva” moment, imo; Lu just didn’t like how the song started, I guess. Crescent City was dedicated to the victims of Hurricane Katrina (I think she’s done that regularly). Another false start came with CWOAGR – – again, no big deal, but it did kill the energy some. Maybe she felt comfortable enough with us to do this; getting ready for the CA & NY fall shows(?). (Yes, the song book was set up right next to Lu.)
Lu introduced the guys, then came Mama You Sweet (not a favorite of mine) and Fancy Funeral. Those Three Days followed, with the third and last false start about 1/4 or 1/3 of the way in. This was the strangest, because they were fairly far into the song. When Lu restarted, the tempo was decidedly faster. After that, Lu said ‘…sorry about the cussing…not very lady-like,’ then something about ‘being with all guys, like being in a camp.’
Righteously (called “hipbilly” by Lu) was well done, with some great stuff by Doug. Unsuffer Me featured a very sultry Lu, clasping the mic, guitarless. I Live My Life, we were told, came from a Richard Hell (of the Voidoids) cover of a Fats Domino song. Bluesy. Come On was raw, with Doug doing a Lynyrd Skynyrd ending. Afterwards, someone in the crowd did the Freebird tweeting and got a laugh. Butch took off his cowboy hat and shook his head like a dog to throw the sweat off. He was working hard.
Real Live Bleeding Fingers brought out the air guitarists. Lu afterwards: “We’re trying to please everybody at the same time (with song selection); that’s an impossible task.” The new Honey Bee came next – – reminded me of Joan Jett; good stuff.
Lu chatted some more, saying they like playing outside, weather’s been hot, have to ‘transcend the heat with blues and rock ’n’ roll…it’s too hot for serious ballads.’
Joy had some Led Zep, Hendrix and Doors going on, courtesy of Doug and the guys. Lu tossed out a quick “Riders on the Storm” phrase in the midst of it all.
We got a “Peace, Love & Revolution” salute from Lu to end the set. The encore started with Mamas, and then Lu dedicated Bus to Baton Rouge to a friend whose father died earlier in the day. Lu and Doug hugged after that one.
Lu complimented the crowd again (“You’re listening and rocking”), and then commented on how ‘travel is educational…people are different in different parts of the country, but they also are the same…the working class is entitled to decent housing and health care…get out there and vote for the people who can make that happen.’ Lu for President!
Still I Long for Your Kiss and one more “Peace, Love & Revolution” closed out a fine night in Utica. I’d guess that Lu played for almost 2 hours. Apologies for the long ramble, but I thought some people out there might enjoy it. 🙂
Hey Lefty,
Thanks for the detailed reporting. Excellent job! Sounds like you had fun; seeing Doug and meeting Lucinda. The false starts can sometimes be unnerving. I’ve seen many of them caused by Lu having the capo on the wrong fret. Even though she’s played the song about a 1,000 times! Go figure. At least she gives it her all; can’t ask for much more than that. Looking forward to tonight in Boston.
Thanks, Tim. “Unnerving” is a good word for those breaks. But, it all came out fine in the end. Enjoy Boston – – hope you get your request(s) honored! 🙂
I just wanted to thank everyone involved. I had a great time…sold some CD’s and played to an awesome crowd… Lucinda sounded amazing!!! Such a great live band…
@Michael P. Ryan wrote:
I just wanted to thank everyone involved. I had a great time…sold some CD’s and played to an awesome crowd… Lucinda sounded amazing!!! Such a great live band…
Good luck down the road, Mike. You done good in Utica. Had you met Lucinda prior to last night? 🙂
No sir I STILL haven’t met Lucinda… I did however meet and hang with the band @ the Electric Co. for a while…. Great group of guys..and AMAZING players…. Lu was swept up to the bus very quickly… GREAT time…
Lu and her amazing band… Thank You for Utica. I drove in from Buffalo, and it was well worth the drive. Thanks for switching up the setlist, esp. Bus to Baton Rouge. Great crowd, Great show, Great Band… I hope they stick around for many years to come. ps LOVE Honey Bee.
http://www.uticaod.com/breaking/x1829912919/Fire-reported-at-FX-Matts-Brewery
Too bad. This little beat-up city didn’t need this. Here’s hoping the rebuilding is swift.
Thx for the info Lefty. Less beer for everyone now.
🙁
a friend who saw that show with me, from Clinton, NY, next door, emailed me about this fire last night. Very sad — that old brick brewery and town found a place in my heart. More so because of that intimate show with Lu! Have a “U.C.” for me, please, Lefty.A business contact of mine in Utica says there’s a run on the supermarkets now for Utica Club and Saranac. Something tells me that the Matt family won’t waste time rebuilding. They should have ample political support for the effort. Will try to hoist a U.C. or two for you this weekend, Ray!
Brewery president: Canning operation lost; beer supply not affected
F.X. Matt Brewing Company President Nicholas Matt has just concluded a press conference with reporters to discuss last night’s fire that destroyed their canning operation.
“I would like to start by thanking the community for what we all feel has been a tremendous outreach,” Matt said. “An outreach from people who drink our beer, from government officials, from other businesses offering to help, friends, and of course our employees who have been tremendous in this whole thing, worked extra hours, done whatever they could to help. It’s been really terrific and I want to thank everybody for that.”
Among the issues he discussed was the need to outsource their canning capabilities in the immediate future.
“We’ll get it packaged one way or another,” Matt said. “I can assure you.”
He also said that they do not expect any shortage in their beer supply because no beer was lost in the fire and the kegging operations have not been affected. But, Matt added, “If there are shortages, you can find draft beer, and you can do us all a favor by insisting that our draft beer be available wherever you go to bars and restaurants.”
– – Utica O-D, 5/30/08
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