visions

Yup, I was there. Usually I roll into these shows solo, yesterday I met up with an old college friend for his first Lu show. So I didn’t write down the set, the above looks right, though I think 2 Kool was also played.

Got to the TLA around 7:30, there was like no one there, could have grabbed the rail to the sides, instead ended up 2nd row between Lu and Stuart. Filled up quick after that.

I know I say this after every Lu show, but her sound is f’n killer. I saw Grace Potter last Sat in Radio City, from 20th row DFC which should be the sweet spot, and the contrast between the clarity of Lu’s sound and Grace’s muddy system (unfortunately) couldn’t be more stark. Kudos to all those involved in the FOH setup.

The weed was pretty funny, Stuart took both hands and waved the smell up to his face. Lu then mentioned that she doesn’t smoke anymore, but Stuart still does…at which point someone threw what appeared to be a joint on stage. Great smelling stuff btw.

My friend was kind of stunned (in a good way) after the show, asking me if all her shows are like this. “Pretty much,” is how I replied.

What a band. Keep on rockin.

I think that is the right setlist (won’t swear to order, seemed to recall them playing In the Pines too, but that might be the IPA talking)…decided not to write it down and my memory isn’t what it was.

I really like when Buick 6 opens..it feels like one of those old blues shows where for example Muddy’s band would play a few songs before Muddy came to the stage.

Sound of the band was fantastic (Lu generally has excellent sound). From my third row vantage point I thought the vocals kind of echoed a bit, as I don’t think they have a center fill in speaker so Lu’s voice emanates from the upper side speakers and the band is more upfront. Kind of know that the sound won’t be ideal that close, and that is a tradeoff you make to be near the stage.

Think it has been about a year since I’ve caught a show. I felt that Stuart’s guitar fills have become more and more complex (in a good way) since I last saw them. He adds so much subtlety and little touches that really improve the “depth” of his playing.

Was really looking forward to hearing some of the new album live. And while I would have loved to hear, for example, Foolishness, being able to catch an absurdly well played “one more day” more than made up for that. I usually gravitate to her more rocking songs, but last night the slower ones really hit me for some reason. Have had “Bus to Baton Rouge ” going through my head all day and When I look at the world (I believe solo) was also terrific.

As a huge Bruce fan it was cool to hear the Rising, although I don’t think that would make my list of top 100 Bruce songs. Neat, kind of slower and less anthemic version. Love to hear them tackle something like Tougher Than the Rest.

Have to make sure I don’t go another year between shows.

Review, of sorts, from the local Morristown paper–some pics included on the site:

http://morristowngreen.com/2014/06/23/lucinda-williams-in-morristown-no-wallowing-allowed/

Lucinda Williams in Morristown: No wallowing allowed
June 23, 2014 by Kevin Coughlin Leave a Comment
Lucinda Williams, your Christmas album is long overdue.
Here are the rules: None of those somber manger songs with the minor chords. No, we want Frosty the Snowman, Jingle Bells and Suzy Snowflake.
This wicked yearning struck us midway through Friday’s show at the Mayo Performing Arts Center, where the queen of You-Done-Me-Wrong took a pretty packed house on a two-hour tour of some dark places.

A ride that’s all about bumps in the road got off to an appropriately rocky start, courtesy of some electronic potholes that caused Lucinda to throw up her hands and lament, “I hate technology!”
She regained control with Drunken Angel and Tears of Joy. The evening included many of her better known songs, such as Are You Alright, I Lost It, Changed the Locks, Unsuffer Me, Essence, Righteously, Honey Bee and Joy.
Lucinda also sang some tracks from a double album that’s due in September. Compassion breaks new ground for the 61-year-old Louisianan, adapting lyrics by her father, the poet Miller Williams.
Protection is a down-and-dirty rocker. And Cold Day in Hell… well, we can see the title of the Christmas CD taking shape.
For good measure, Lucinda administered a dose of bleakness from the Boss, Factory.

What kept all this world weariness from driving everyone to the suicide hotline was the execution.

Lucinda’s muscular three-piece band infused tales of despair with fire and life.
Drummer Butch Norton, bassist David Sutton, and especially, former Wallflowers guitarist Stuart Mathis, were sonic treats. Stuart daubed Unsuffer Me in swaths of howling, haunting, heavy splendor.
It’s impossible to wallow for long with these guys; Lucinda soared with them on I Lost It and the scorching finale, Neil Young’s Rockin’ in the Free World.
Lucinda’s fans know that her albums have long gestations, so look for her holiday sampler around 2022.
In the meantime, we’ll proceed with the other half of our subversive mission: Goosing the The Osmonds to record a Lucinda Williams tribute CD.

Think they have hard 11 curfew. Dublin pub right on the corner nearby isn’t fancy but is a solid bar

I’m likely getting in right at 8 or so. Running solo, down in second row

FYI, this weekend I checked out the ticket situation for this…LOTS of good tix still on ticketmaster, some stuff below face on the usual broker sites. Decided to take the plunge…if in doubt go to the show, right? 11th row floor, less than face on stubhub. Should be good, check out the performers:

Garth Hudson, Roger Waters, Gregg Allman, John Mayer, Joe Walsh, Lucinda Williams, Mavis Staples, David Bromberg, My Morning Jacket, Dierks Bentley, Eric Church, Bruce Hornsby, Ray LaMontagne, John Hiatt, Grace Potter, Warren Haynes, Allen Toussaint, Robert Randolph, John Prine, Jorma Kaukonen, Marc Cohn, the Levon Helm Band

“Workingman’s Blues” by Dylan.

“Ghost of Tom Joad” by Springsteen (Blake can handle the part played by Tom Morello when he guested on this w/Bruce in 2009).

Finally have power back. Wife bailed due to weather, I made what turned into a very long ride down. Good news was I was able to self upgrade my seat twice, ending up in the second row right in front of Blake by the beginning of “Stowaway.”

On Honeybee, Lu started singing before Blake kicked in, so the first verse was just Lu acapella. Then Lu and Blake looked at each other and laughed and the band kicked in, it sounded pretty darn good actually.

About mid show, guy next to me turns to Blake and says “You rock, Dude.” Yes indeed.

Love her Dylan covers, please keep playing this baby when they hit the Northeast!