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vanatic
New member
Username: vanatic
Post Number: 3
Registered: 7-2005
| | Posted on Friday, February 24, 2006 - 7:36 am: | |
This is the first time I didn't come straight back from one of the boys' shows and post my thoughts immediately. I needed some time to reflect on what I had experienced, for reasons that I will touch on shortly...
Last night's show was at Harrah's VooDoo Cafe and Lounge in Earth City, which is actually about 20 miles west of downtown Saint Louis. I had not been in the venue since they had done a major overhaul to the room, and I was NOT impressed by the renovations. What had formerly been a great room for a live show, with a large stage that was accessible to the oversized dance floor in front of it, has now been optimized for use as a restaurant and bar (hence its name). The stage is actually located behind and over the bar area, meaning that it sits twelve feet off the ground, which isn't so bad until you factor in that in front of that stage platform sits the bar, which juts out ten to twelve feet itself. The result is that you're looking directly at the bar and its patrons rather than the musicians. The bartenders also mix their drinks by tossing the liquor bottles up in the air ala the film "Cocktail", which is a bit distracting when you're watching Sam in his element only to see these bottles fly into view. The dance floor has been reduced to a smaller area immediately in front of the bar. The person who designed this should be shot, wait, let me take that back, they should suffer, S-L-O-W-L-Y.
This was the first time I've seen the band in Saint Louis with less than a full house. Their show at the Pagaent last year was packed. I really think it had more to do with the venue than the band...
The band came out right at 8pm (no opening act). They started tentatively, Sammy made immediate mention of the bizarre stage setup (due to the height of the stage the band's direct line of sight was to a balcony that houses the lighting rigs and a few tables reserved for the "high rollers". I looked up at one point and counted six people in the balcony!) which made sense because unless they looked down they wouldn't see any audience! The sound mix was not to my liking either, the vocals were lost in the instruments for most of the evening, and the drums were far too much up front for my liking. Don't get me wrong I've always liked Kenny's work, but the show really didn't have any of those emotional moments where Sammy and company have you mesmerized, the room is hushed and at full attention. There were several songs where you could SEE Sammy strumming his acoustic or Bukka pumping away on the accordian, but you couldn't hear them!
The boys really didn't connect with the crowd until late in the game, hitting their stride during the last third of the set (starting with Runaway/Fadeaway). The band wasn't really to blame, IMHO, the crowd was tentative and laid back, with very little dancing going on. Us hardcore 'Deanies (you know you're becoming a groupie when you can pick out the fans you see at every show!) were the only ones really trying to raise the roof.
HIGHLIGHTS
- An enjoyable, if subdued, evening.
- The last 45 minutes or so was outstanding, including a great "Naked", "Nobody Loves Me" and "Good Things".
- Kenny's drumming. I'm not big on ego-centric drum solos, but there were several points in the show where he just took it into overdrive without taking away from the song. Hope he's with the band for good rather than just the tour...
- It was nice to once again be treated to an extended set, something the guys also gave us in Saint Louis last year.
SET LIST
(Show length: 1hr 45min)
Ultimately Fine
Heart of a Miracle
Texas Ride Song
Still the Night
Idaho
Makes You
Good Work
Brand New
Stay On
Runaway
Fadeaway
Get Much
Naked
Closer to Free
---
Misery (e)
(*)
Nobody Loves Me (e)
Good Things (e)
The boys performed two songs that were not on the pre-show set list: "True Devotion", which I apologize for not listing above because I can't remember where in the set they performed it (it wasn't during the encore) and another song (I didn't it, hence the asterisk above) that was played during the encore, upon request from one of the BoDeans' "regulars".
Looking over what I wrote above, my words sound more negative than I intended. Overall the show was fine, it's just that I'm spoiled. Most of the BoDeans shows I've witnessed are much better than 90% of the other acts I catch in person, so I always go into one of their shows with higher expectations. I will say that I truly hope they book themselves into a different venue (any venue!) the next time they come through town!
I apologize to any of the hardcore who were in town for the show last night, I didn't post a pre-show invitation nor try to contact any of you as I've been swamped with personal issues. Please don't take offense, I will be my typically accomodating self the next time the boys are in town. I missed connecting with all of you and hearing your stories about the tour.
peace... |
vanatic
New member
Username: vanatic
Post Number: 4
Registered: 7-2005
| | Posted on Friday, February 24, 2006 - 7:37 am: | |
Forgot to mention that I took several pictures that I will post to the forum later in the weekend...my USB cable is at the office so I can't get them off my camera until later this weekend... |
vanatic
New member
Username: vanatic
Post Number: 8
Registered: 7-2005
| | Posted on Friday, February 24, 2006 - 5:27 pm: | |
I meant to mention that I bought a CD at the show called "The Leftovers", which I had not seen or heard about. I've posted more details under the appropriate forum topic, I'm looking for some info on the recording... |
sammysluver
New member
Username: sammysluver
Post Number: 35
Registered: 1-2006
| | Posted on Friday, February 24, 2006 - 7:55 pm: | |
Vanatic,
I agree the show was not as fabulous as the Oct. 2005 at the Pageant...the chemistry was not there at first, but we all joined together about mid-way...and it made the night.
Your setlist is not correct though, they did not perform..."Misery", or "Nobody loves me"
although those are two of my favorites. "Stay on," was in the encore, by request.
I agree the bartenders should not flare so much during such precious moments with our guys.
More laid back than I like, I like to get nuts...but overall, I stll loved the show. |
vanatic
New member
Username: vanatic
Post Number: 14
Registered: 7-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, February 25, 2006 - 4:42 pm: | |
As promised,here are some shots from the show. I apologize for the horrible camera angles, due to the lousy layout of the room I was shooting up to the stage, at a much sharper angle than the photos suggest. NOTE: The one closeup of Sammy was shot off the large video projection screen, hence the grainy look. Enjoy!
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vanatic
New member
Username: vanatic
Post Number: 16
Registered: 7-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, February 25, 2006 - 4:52 pm: | |
Corrected set list below, thanks to all who helped fill in the pieces:
SET LIST
(Show length: 1hr 45min)
Ultimately Fine
Heart of a Miracle
Texas Ride Song
Still the Night
Idaho
Makes You
Good Work
Brand New
True Devotion
Runaway (Del Shannon intro)
Fadeaway
Get Much
Naked
Closer to Free
---
Stay On (e)
Angels (e)
Nobody Loves Me (e)
Good Things (e) |
jeanette
New member
Username: jeanette
Post Number: 462
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, February 26, 2006 - 7:01 am: | |
Great shots! Thanks for the great review and pics. |
hawkeye
New member
Username: hawkeye
Post Number: 2
Registered: 2-2006
| | Posted on Monday, February 27, 2006 - 10:41 am: | |
Vanatic - great pics, I only got one on my cell phone...you must have been one of the two folks I saw with cameras...let's hope they come back through soon at a better venue. - Matt |
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