September 11 , 2008.
I must confess that this was my 1st GS show in about a month. You see, Glenn has decided that he will no longer bring his PA system to Hooples. Hence, all hope of hearing Glenn's singing and preaching loud and clear has been dashed. This all began about 5 weeks ago and since then I've not made it a point to come to shows. But tonight, I had rehearsal so I figured I'd come down. This no PA thing has got me a little frustrated and a little disinterested. My favorite parts of shows are his lyrical pieces like "My Poor Generation" or "Ode to Glenn Schwartz ( promises, promises )" or when he takes on some Dylan gem like "Masters of War" or "I Believe in You." But now, it's just a musical power trio. He does occasionally sing through the pickup of his guitar, but this pales in comparison to having an actual PA system. Alas...
At about 9:25 he began tearing it up with a great version of "All Night Long" which he sang loud enough (sans PA) for us up front to actually hear the vocals. Following this, GS gave us a German language lesson and ran through various German terms and their English equivalent. He also said that he felt like he had a new head (in German) and a new beginning. The band then took off into a solid set consisting of various blues jams as well as "Ode to GS" and a few other tunes that normally are sung. They were ON FIRE.
Finally a set break, Pete shows up with a ruptured achilles' tendon or something & then set 2 which was a complete shredfest. Glenn, Gene & Paul were SO ON tonight that I (almost) didn't miss the vocals. Everyone's playing was crisp, strong and interesting. Just when I thought Gene was leading the whole thing, Paul would lay down some drum chops that would change the direction subtly and the trio would be off and running again. They won ALL the races tonight, both sprints and marathons.
With the above being said, if this show had a PA system, it would have gone down as one of the best in the last 10 years. Everyone played at an exceptionally high level and the song choices included "Pretty Song in D" (perhaps the DEFINITIVE version), "Friends Don't Treat Me," "Mountain Top!" "Ode to GS" as well as other. A fantastic performance, but I'd REALLY like to see the PA return to Hooples.
A final note: Dom has emailed me reviews of many July/Aug shows which I will post soon as well as some GREAT photos.
TZ
September 25 , 2008
*EPIC*
As I walked up to the open side door of Hooples at 10pm, Sam was standing in the doorway. GS was playing "Mountain Top!" Even from that poor aural perspective, I could tell that the band was ON this evening. I entered thru the front door and made my way to the front end of the bar next to Dom. The band was raging. I settled in. Buffalo Steve was there, Pete crutched his way up to the front, Stak as well. The trio's playing was at a high, HIGH level. While MT is not one of my faves, this version was sizzling. Song ends, Blanco finally finds his way from the wine bar. Herb is in a good mood and shakes my hand. A minute later he taps me on my shoulder, sets down a Dewars on the rocks and says "It's Scotch Season!" He's got a great memory. Although I didn't want to have a drink @ Hooples, I figured one wouldn't hurt. Band kicks into a version of "Promises, Promises (OTGS)." My GOD. 7 seconds in and we're in DEEEEP. Beautiful, strong, holy. GS is locked in. After a few minutes of jamming on the theme, he brings it down into "Take What You've Got and Do With it What You Can." This unfortunately was a cue to a fellow in the audience to begin challenging GS with some quotes from the bible and it snuffed out what was shaping up to be one of the great sets in recent history. Alas, GS had enough and threw his guitar down and even said "maybe you'll leave when we take a break." Fortunately he did.
Chilled w/Buffalo Steve, Blanco & Pete out back @ set break. It was a beautiful clear night. Steve leaves to pick up a bandmate @ the Greyhound station. The band goes back on and they're playing a very funky cool jam. We agree that it's unlike anything we've heard them do. We go in. The 2nd set more of the same focused, energetic music that we heard snippets of in set 1. It's heavy and mesmerizing. While this goes on, #1 USC is losing to Oregon State late in the game. (USC is favored by 24 pts).
GS takes a set break as the game is winding down. USC brings it to 6 pts with less than 2 minutes to play. I decide to leave on a high note. As I walk out, I realize I never paid Herb for the Scotch. I walk back in and I hear GS playing some slide guitar. I pay Herb and walk to the front and here comes "Old Man Daniel." I ain't goin' nowhere.....
A great version of OMD. GS singing sans microphone (as he has since mid-Aug) but nailing the words. The game is still winding down, I'm glad I came back, onside kick, Oregon St. recovers. Blanco calls for "Water Street." It comes, and it comes hard. The heaviest version I've witnessed since the 2001 version from "Get Yourself a Diesel." The game ends, everyone rushes the field. GS is playing the WS chords and marching, victorious. God has won. The ducks have won (for what its worth). GS marches on. Heavy, heavy, heavy. He played all the little nuances from the studio version as well as things that he hasn't played on WS since 2001. ASTOUNDING. I'm levelled by all of this. NOW I'm ready to go on a high note. NOT
He then says, "What's that other song? Oh yeah, "My Poor Generation!" And proceeds to pound out the chords. Unfortunately Gene was a bit lost on this one, but the effort was there. He then went into a moving version of "When He Returns." Chilling. Following this song he made it a point to say, "Only a Jew could write a song like that. God favors the Jews. They can do things better than most people. I'm proud to have the name Schwartz!!" This was a strange emotional turn for the night, but as intense as everything else was, it fit right it. GS then did a little more preaching and Paul & Gene started to get up. Buffalo Steve yelled "One more!" And GS said, "We saved the best for last, of course we'll play one more!" Gene & Paul quickly took their places & the trio proceeded to tear into a massive blues jam to cap off the night. Sweet Lord.
In life, sometimes I think I know what's going to happen. I think that I can control things or anticipate things. This night was another reminder that I have very little control over anything. I showed up with no expectations (if anything, negative expectations due to the no microphone situation) and was treated to a power packed, moving evening of SPECIAL music. Had Herb not have given me that Scotch, I probably would have missed a once in a lifetime 3rd set of magic.
As a side note, Gene and Paul are playing at an amzingly high level these days. While Paul has always been the consumate professional and backbone of the outfit, Gene's confidence has grown immensely in the last few years andHis bass playing takes the band to heights not reached in years past. His tone is heavy and his playing is crisp. His staccato technique never fails to raise the musical ante. God bless these men. We're fortunate to witness this art every week!!