Friday, October 13, 2006
Concert Review:
Old 97’s at the Granada Theater
It's hard to write a original and revolutionary review of an Old 97's show these days. That's partly because they're reliable as a Swiss watch.
Colby Walton
Random notes
- Our pal Josh Jones introduced the band, announcing that KHYI had recently adopted a "pro-Old 97's playlist stance." I knew they had diversified their Americana sound, but I didn't realize that they were playing the 97's now. Good move, if not a few years too late.
- Whoever made the shirt requesting "Over the Cliff" has an open invitation to work here. Their version of that Jon Langford song has changed my life several times. If you catch me listening to that song on repeat, be aware that I'm probably about to quit what I'm doing and start a new company.
- Don Walser once met my then-future wife at Sons of Hermann Hall and spent the whole night referring to her as "Sweet-ass April!" I'd forgotten that until the day I got news of his death a couple weeks back and found myself involuntarily answering the phone "Sweet-ass April!" when she called me from work.
- "Eyes for You" is a great tune. Wish they played it more. I'd also like to see "What We Talk About" enter the setlist, but I heard a rumor that Ken doesn't like it.
- I've said it before and I'll say it again. Had "Rollerskate Skinny" been released as a single in 2001, it would have been a radio hit.
- There is no ill that can not be cured by Snuffers cheese fries.
It's hard to write a original and revolutionary review of an Old 97's show these days. That's partly because they are my all-time favorite band in the known universe whom I've seen 30+ times, and partly because they're reliable as a Swiss watch: You know that Murry is going to say "Thank ya everybody" five times. You know that when Rhett says, "Ladies and gentlemen, Philip Peeples," they're about to play "Murder or a Heart Attack." You know that Murry will say "This here's a song about West Texas," and you know what will follow. You know that "Four Leaf Clover" is generally a sign the main set is ending. You know that a Rhett acoustic mini-set will follow the main set, and that he'll joke about being the youngest member of the band and needing to give the other guys a break. And you know that after "Timebomb," they ain't coming back.
And, of course, you know it'll be a great show, even if it doesn't necessarily start that way.
The boys hit the stage at the Granada Theater more than a little rusty, seeming so out of synch while Rhett so mangled the lyrics to the opening "Designs on You," that the singalong crowd was immediately disoriented. And the band didn't catch their groove for a while. That's understandable to a point -- Rhett's been touring behind his solo album; Murry's living in California siring a son, and the band mentioned that it was as novel for them to see each other as it was the Dallas crowd these days.
But, as always, they quickly dialed in the chemistry and by the time they hit "Rollerskate Skinny," they had the sold-out crowd flying. At the midway point, the one-two punch of "Barrier Reef" and "Doreen" sent the joint into overdrive and no one looked back.
There was a nice Don Walser mini-tribute mid-set. The set was generally heavy on tunes from Fight Songs, but touched every album.
And, part of the no-surprises ethos of the modern 97's show is that you know there'll be a couple surprises: Although Rhett claimed he generally wraps himself in a "no-request cocoon," he called an audible to perform "Over The Cliff" for a fan who had bothered to make a T-shirt calling for the song. Even better, in the encore, they pulled out "Eyes For You," a rave-up that they "used to play at Naomi's," and has only appeared on the odds-and-sods Early Tracks compilation.
Of course, an extended version of "Timebomb" closed the show, with Ken particularly on his A-game.
|
Email
|
Print
|
4 Comments
|
Contribute
|
Faved or commented on by...
Find...
|
an event
|
a restaurant
|
|
a garage sale
|
a drink special
|
|
a movie
|
local music
|
|
a deal
|
a job
|
a pet
|
a house
|
Latest blog entries
Latest comments...
John Mayer tweeted about Dallas restaurant Kenichi on Tuesday
Ok, which one of you is following John Mayer on Twitter?
At about 6:30 pm last night, I discovered that my bushes lining the alley ...
Wow. First Betty White and now this. I rulez the internetz!
I will not drink and Outburst, I wi
John Mayer tweeted about Dallas restaurant Kenichi on Tuesday
Jesse Metcalfe was there that night too!
Elizabeth Eshelman, says:
after last night at wilco, maybe i need some of those cheese fries ... grrroooaaannnnn
Verified
3 years, 5 months agoLink to this comment | Suggest removal
Mike Orren, says:
Gary was there, but he's too buried to write a review. Wanna give us a recap?
Staff
3 years, 5 months agoLink to this comment | Suggest removal
Elizabeth Eshelman, says:
I'd love to, if I could remember it. ..
They opened with a song off of Mermaid Avenue (which one?) - And Jeff Tweedy booked it after the show so we didn't get to meet him golldarnit!
And Chris Holt, Jayson Bales, Travis Hopper, J.D. Whittenberg, Ryan and Jencey from Smile Smile, and Carlin were all in attendance. A Who's Who of sorts.
They only served Miller beer, and there were no in-and-outs.
That's about all I've got - I bet J.D. would have some cool stuff to say about it.
Verified
3 years, 5 months agoLink to this comment | Suggest removal
Gary Cohen, says:
There was some kind of lite beer too. And some weird wine-coolerish blue margarita thing in a bottle. Bar lines were ridiculous though.
Opening song was Airline to Heaven.
Overall, a by-the-numbers Wilco show. If you've seen the band in the last 2 years, you've seen the show. Solid, but predictable. Only deviance was two new songs and the disappearance of Spiders (Kidsmoke), which the band isn't playing on this tour for some reason.
Large crowd. 3,000-4,000 by my estimate.
Verified
3 years, 5 months agoLink to this comment | Suggest removal
What do you think?