latchmo

I was there on 10/2 & although the stop/ start of the couple songs wasn’t necessary from where I was sitting (who knows what it sounds like when you’re the one singing?), I enjoyed the show overall & thought she was in great voice. At least she was good natured & kind of self-deprecating and somewhat apologetic about her finicky mood. She also seemed appreciative that the audience didn’t throw things and/or boo her. We had seen her at the State Theatre in New Brunswick a few years ago & I remember how she raved about how great everything sounded to her. So I guess it just depends on the venue &/or her mood of the night.

Kind of a mellow crowd, but that’s not a bad thing in that venue – the sound was great & the guitars roared at times (sweet!), although Jim Lauderdale could hardly be heard on backup vocals (I don’t think it was the mike, which sounded fine when others used it). I kind of wished I had gone to the Irving Plaza shows where it’s more of an open/ bar feel but no regrets.

Anyhoo, great to see Steve Earle out there, bad hairdude & all – I’m a huge fan. (His hair drives my wife crazy, too.) He looked a little lost during the first song when he played the harmonica (step up to the mike, Steve & get some background vocals going), but the duets with LW (especially the new Jailhouse song) were excellent, as was his solo Ellis Unit One. like LW, despite years of performing, he sometimes seems to be naturally uncomfortable during the quieter moments of the shows.

Jesse Malin & Fionn Regan were OK, & made it a little different, but having them appear alone seemed a little odd. Bringing them out to join LW & the band would have been a little better approach, I think. I think they’re both talented & would be worth seeing on their own.

It was great to see Car Wheels start to finish – what a great album – the highlights for me were Car Wheels, Jailhouse Tears & Honey Bee (nice to see LW & the band really cut loose & rock out). I will definitely go see her again in the future – at least she’s real & stays true to herself & to her music, You have to respect that & cut her some slack for the occasional oops, I figure. Wish I had picked up a CD of the show but forgot all about it on the way out. Nuff said.