We’re getting back into the house concert game, At least for this one! We are welcoming returning artist and musical genius Alex Wong and new to the house, Megan Slankard!

Date: February 20, 2017 at 7pm (doors at 6pm)
Comment on this post to get an official invitation and more details.

https://youtu.be/Ff9DkfwdBKc

Comment on this post to get an official invitation and more details.

The post House Concert! Alex Wong/Megan Slankard first appeared on Collected Sounds.

Anyway, he’s released his new video and you can see it [at Paste Magazine]

If you’d like to come to the show, please [email me]
or [rsvp on Facebook].

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The post Ben Arthur new Video (and concert announcement) first appeared on Collected Sounds.

It was a really great show because both Melissa and Butterfly’s music is different from Sarah’s so we got to rock out a little more than usual. Also she let her guitar players really go nuts which was fun. I love the subdued, sleepy piano stuff, but it’s really fun to see Sarah rock it too.

The also took questions from the audience in the form of notes pulled form a hat. That was really fun. We learned that the “angel” in the song Angel is heroine and it was written after she read about a musician from Smashing Pumpkins killed him self in a hotel room.

We also learned that we are not the only ones who rush to turn the channel when her ASPCA commercials come on. She can’t watch them either. But they raised something like $30 million for the ASPCA so it’s all good.

Oh and that Luke has been playing with Sarah since he was like 17.

I will probably remember more later and maybe I’ll post them.

Here are some photos I took. Not fantastic, but I didn’t have a press pass or a friend with a good camera this time. I made captions in the photos, rather than writing it here in blog format.

if you want to see it in Picasa, just click on it.

Also check out the [Star Tribune review] with some nice(r) photos.

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The post Sarah McLachlan at the Orpheum first appeared on Collected Sounds.

[Gaiman reviews Dresden Dolls]

The post Great Dresden Dolls review first appeared on Collected Sounds.

Concert Review:
Artist: Vienna Teng, Alex Wong, Ari Heist, Melissa Tong, Ben Russell
Date: July 19, 2010.
Venue: Rockwood Music Hall
City: New York, NY

Review by [JoAnn]

Just got back from seeing Vienna Teng and friends at the Rockwood Music Hall, stage 2, in New York. Which means the trip home was just about as long as the set. Which is why I rarely go out to late shows (this one started shortly after I rrived at 10:42 pm). Which is why (or at least partly why) I haven’t gotten around to seeing Vienna in New York until now.

But I digress.

The show was wonderful. Great music, ranging from solo to quartet; charming banter. The musicians all seemed very low-key. Vienna has an easy, friendly manner with the audience. Her guests did too. The room was crowded, which was good considering this seems to have been a fairly last minute gig. Of course the room isn’t that big (neither is the stage). Still, I stood by the door.

Vienna started the show by asking the audience for requests. I only heard a guy shout, “Surprise us!”, but she said she heard Shasta and Gravity, and she did play both. Shasta was first, solo. It seemed there was an echo coming from the vocal mic, but it either got fixed during the night or I stopped noticing it. Next she played an unrecorded song, Everything’s Fine, which she said was written with Amber Rubarth as part of an unreliable narrator assignment.

Alex Wong joined her on guitar and vocals for Gravity , which was quite slow and delicate. Vienna added some minimalist electronics she controlled with a device on top of the piano.

Next up were a few non-Vienna songs. Alex introduced a song he’d written, saying that Vienna had yelled the first line (Don’t be afraid of what you want) at him during an argument. He sang lead vocals and played guitar, Vienna played piano and sang, and Melissa Tong added violin. I wrote down the lyric:

“and if you close your fingers, ghosts will pass right through / and I’ll be on the other side of the river waiting for you”

because I love the image.

Ari Hest made a different trio, singing and playing guitar for a song he said he wrote at the height of his Lost addiction, about the moment between inhaling and exhaling, between preparation and doing. It was the group’s second time playing it together. I’ll call the song Green Light Go for lack of a proper title. Alex switched to drums (or I think just one drum? a snare played with brushes?). Next was Ari’s Cranberry Lake, a sweet, folky song, done in the same guitar/piano/drum trio format. They had to restart the verse Vienna sang because Ari “forgot [she was] here” which made me laugh. I don’t really mind when musicians mess up. It reminds me that they’re human and that I’m getting something different from the album.

Melissa came back for Blue Caravan. Vienna wasn’t sure everyone on stage had played it all together before. She confessed a sudden urge to hear keys tinkling during the song. The audience was happy to comply, so we jingled our keys during the opening bars and later as directed by Vienna.

Ari’s last song was Sunset Over Hope Street from his forthcoming album done as Vienna/Ari/Alex trio. After Ari left, Melissa returned to the stage, bringing her friend Ben Russell, also on violin, who was playing with Vienna for the first time. They did a gorgeous version of Antebellum which Vienna called “glorious.” It really was.

After that, another unrecorded song, played solo. Pencil Sketch with the lyric: “dreams that want to be set down in charcoal and graphite.” Alex returned to the stage and shared the piano bench with Vienna for The Last Snowfall. He played piano while Vienna looped vocals and sang over them. I thought that would be the last song, but Melissa returned to the stage and Vienna asked the audience to clap for an energetic version of Grandmother Song that she clearly enjoyed.

After the set ended, I quickly wrote a note to Vienna thanking her for a great
performance and requesting a song for August’s Highline Ballroom show. She was hanging around talking to various people in the audience. When I gave her the note she asked if she should read it then or wait. I said it didn’t matter, but it was too dark to read, so she said she would read it later and gave me a hug. A wonderful way to end a beautiful night.

JoAnn

Amy’s Note: Thanks JoAnn, great review! I’ve seen Vienna and Alex together a few times now and they’re so great. I’m jealous I didn’t get to see this, but with your descriptions I almost felt like I was there.

The song you wrote the words down to is Don’t be Afriad and it’s available on the Paper Raincoat album (which is mucho fantastic). [get it here]

OR

[The Paper Raincoat on eMusic]

For the great live album Vienna adn Alex did together, The Moment Always Vanishing

[buy at Amazon].

[Vienna Teng Official Site]

The post Concert Review: Vienna Teng and Friends in NY first appeared on Collected Sounds.

Review by David Adair

To mark her first European tour since 2003 the former 10,000 Maniacs singer and songwriter, Natalie Merchant flanks herself with two plug-in acoustic guitarists and affords herself the luxury of an adept double bassist, from time to time. The most unique feature of evening is a slideshow at the back of the stage. It displays nonsense verse, quirky images and pictures of the mixture of well known and obscure British and American poets. Whose work she has spent six years researching and has adapted into a stirring 26 track new album, Leave Your Sleep.

Merchant’s infamous, slightly eccentric, endearingly quirky and moment grabbing stage presence still illuminates the set as much as the theatrical neon lights. Merchant and her guitarists are tight and focused as they run through material from the latest album. Each song is preceded by a brief, concise and authoritative biographical introduction on the artist in question and the significance of the piece being performed. Of course, Edward Lear needs no introduction, but was given a suitable and charming one anyway. Before the country and Celtic folk flavoured Calico Pie, is sung with flightiness and abandon. There’s a subtle forlornness attached to it, tonight. Making you take the song, original poet and tonight’s performer seriously.

A hollow string laden run through Arthur Macy’s Peppery Man, is underlined by the achingly sombre delivery, as a poignant moment falls upon the full venue. Various emotions and genres are explored jumbled together, then punctuated by a bracing narrative introduction. e.e. cummings’ charming maggie, millie, molly and may, possesses innocence and a serenity that defies the worldly and well travelled reputation of tonight’s heroine.

Native Names, adds another strand to the serious veil that covers the simplistic base and format of some of material on display. It cuttingly, yet stirringly covers the prickly topic of the perceived desecration of the Native American culture by modern American society.

An off-the-cuff strut and stroll through some of Merchant’s older and popular material, gives the encore some freshness, whereas the vitality is provided by the performers. Tell Yourself, is as gripping as ever and has a new wave twang to it this evening. Potent lyrics that lash out at society for the ills that it has caused, like anorexia, are playfully delivered.

Despite the fact that Natalie Merchant is now in the fourth decade of her music career, each tour is given the same energy and heart that most acts reserve only for their first tour. Also, each album is given the attention to detail, thought and injection of spirit as though it were a debut album.

Rating; 4/5

[Buy at Amazon]
[Download at Amazon]

[Natalie Merchant Official Site]

The post Natalie Merchant at The Lyric first appeared on Collected Sounds.

For now, enjoy some videos:

The post House Concert: Edie Carey – Canceled! first appeared on Collected Sounds.

NLX (Natasha Alexandra)

Saturday, October 17, 2008 at 8pm
Collected Sounds Loft (Carriage House)
Minneapolis, MN

Please join us for our first show in a year and a half! (almost)

Known as “Trent Reznor with tits”
Raised in the icy shadows of Canada’s steel city smoke stacks, NLX hails from the proud tradition of BS-free northern songwriting women. She continues to carries the electronically edged pop torch with BITCH GET FIT … 16 tracks of blow your mind and open your heart lyrical and musical smack.

Amy’s Note: While I’ve not yet seen Natasha live, I know she’s amazing and I am really looking forward to this. Her albums are fantastic. And while I like folk music a lot, this is going to be something quite different!

NLX Links
[NLX Official Site]
[NLX Blog]
[NLX on MySpace]
[NLX on YouTube]
[NLX Twitter]

Discography (click on CD cover to listen to samples and order)
Note: you can also buy these the night of the show.

Bitch Get Fit (2009)

Behind Your Back(2003)

In Your Face (2003)

[Make your reservations here]

The post First Concert in the new space!! NLX at Collected Sounds first appeared on Collected Sounds.

Ellery (aka Tasha and Justin Golden, aka two of the nicest and coolest folks on the planet) are in Minneapolis and performing this morning on Kare11’s Minnesota Showcase! [you might be able to watch here]

Also tonight at the 318 Cafe in Excelsior at 8pm. [318 Cafe]

I heard Molly’s sound check and thought it was too bad that I wouldn’t be able to stay and hear her set because I really liked her. But I thoguht Ellery was opening for her, and I was already tired (at 7pm). But as it turns out, she played first, so we heard her whole set. She was really very good. Beautiful crystal voice and lovely melodies. She also had a loop station so she was able to record, on the spot, vocal parts, harmonies, rhythm lines and replay them so it sounded like a band with her. Very cool.

Ellery was great of course. Telling funny stories and singing their beautiful (sometimes sad) songs. The photos don’t show it, but there was a good crowd. It’s just that we Minnesotans don’t like to be too extroverted, or eager or whatnot, and no one sits in the front rows. I find this at house concerts too. The front of the room is empty and the guests all stand at the back of the room in the kitchen doorway. We’re weird, what can I say?!

I took some photos of this event. I also tried to keep a tracklist, but I am horrible and remembering song titles and I didn’t know Molly Dean’s songs, so if she didn’t say the name, I’d have no idea. So let’s forget about that part, and look at some photos. Remember, I am not a professional photographer…and it shows. Plus I was trying to be unobtrusive (see Minnesotan, above). Plus I took them on my phone.

The post Ellery at the 318 Cafe in Excelsior first appeared on Collected Sounds.

Artist: Tori Amos

Date: August 13, 2009

Venue: Radio City Music Hall

City: New York, NY

Review by Karen Hester
Warning: there’s a little bit of strong language here, but if you’re a fan of Tori, you’re used to that.

The first time I saw Tori was Little Earthquakes and she was fresh and funny, a personable frizzy red-head in jeans, telling us jokes and plucking our heart-strings. At my second Tori concert 15 years later, Pip strode out in a black wig and glamorous leather and screamed about motherfucking cunts.

The Radio City Music Hall Abnormally Attracted to Sin concert was a partially deflated balloon: periodically aloft and bouncy, othertimes drifting across the carpet picking up fur and crumbs of meals past.

Photo from [msg.com]

Highlights included Space Dog with a backdrop of sparkling blue lights. The dawg rocked. Cornflake Girl and Precious Things were great with their tight arrangements – all the players (T on multiple keyboards, Jon Evans on bass, Matt Chamberlain on drums) knew what to do (though the audience perhaps knows what they’re going to do too well). Talula and full-band Icicle were strong and brought out new aspects of the songs. Raspberry Swirl and Caught a Lite Sneeze weren’t perfect versions, but both fun. The pretty lighting was also a highlight, though I’m not sure about the intent behind directing lights AT the audience – you think we enjoy being blinded, why?

The middle section of the concert was so damn slow though. Andante, then adagio, then largo, then grave, then curled up in bed with a soft pillow and a belly full of hot cocoa. How many freaking slow songs can she play? My mind wandered. I itemized the cutlery drying in my dish tray.

I’ll list the slooooow songs all together to emphasize my point: Give, Flavor, Lady in bloooo, Little earthquakes, Winter, Smells like Teen Spirit, Icicle, Bells for Her. And then to give it some pace she slipped in the slight Jamaica Inn (bah!) and a mediocre Marys of the Sea (I enjoy this florid song, but the band version is turgid.) Also an unsuccessful Concertina, a pretty little song which with a light touch is charming, but this clunky band version made it sound simplistic rather than simple.

Talula into Fast Horse would have had me wriggling with delight, such a great combination, but no, she cut the fast song (see, it’s even got a speedy name). A large impersonal venue like Radio City Music Hall does better with broad loud strokes. You could see attention drifting during the slow periods with toilet breaks, alcohol purchases and conversations. Pretty full venue though, which is good. People seemed to enjoy themselves, though security wouldn’t let people dance in the aisles during the encore.

Tori wore polished black heels, black tights and an Indian fringed tunic/dress in, perhaps, black and gray checked suit material. Or something. Well designed for her movement between keyboards. She also wore her eyebrows, but soon they will wriggle up to merge with her hair line.

[Tori Amos Official Site]

The post Tori Amos at Radio City Music Hall first appeared on Collected Sounds.

I’d known Mary for years (she attended a Gregory Douglass house concert here) but had never seen her play. So this was a treat for me.

They played in the round, so two songs Gregory, two songs Mary then an encore of one each at the end. It was a fun night of great music (and yummy cheesecake and iced tea, I might add).

Setlist
(G)
Broken Through
Sail The Sea

(M)
Long as I’m Dreamin’
Lovin You Beats all I’ve Ever Seen

(G)
Hang Around
Day Of The Battler

(M)
Panhandle Wind
Black Maria

(G)
Sadly
Cathedrals

(M)
8 Second Lives
Johnson Motel (I think this was my favorite of hers)

(G)
Witness Of Us (Not On Any Album)
Dry

(M)
Promise Into Darkness
That’s What You Get

(G)
Hold On (Sarah M’s song, sung a capella)
I Wonder (look for this on an upcoming episode of ‘So You Think You Can Dance’)

(M)
I Still Love You Forever
Dreamers Walk Alone

Encore:
(G)
The Story (Brandi Carlile)
(M)
Sad Songs and Waltzes Revisited

[Mary Cutrufello]
[Gregory Douglass]

The post Gregory Douglass and Mary Cutrufello first appeared on Collected Sounds.

The post Robyn Hitchcock at the Varisty Theater first appeared on Collected Sounds.

I saw Morrissey at the State theater here in Minneapolis, or as he called it, Funnyapolis on Monday April 6. He was incredible.
He’s still got it. He looks fantastic and his voice is as gorgeous as ever.

I loved his strange comments. He’s not known for being super chatty, but he talked a little. At one point he gave the microphone to some women in the front row. The first one said, “I…just…love you…unconditionally.” He took the mic from her and said, “That’s not good enough.”

The next one said, “Hows the baby?’ and she must have giggled because he said, “Why do you laugh when you ask about the baby? I take the baby very seriously.”

The last one stammered out something about shaking in his presence and he muttered something about her needing medication.

But my favorite was when in the middle of the show he said, “Are you sorry you came?” and everyone yelled, “Nooooo!” and he responded, “You will be.”

I realize he’d have to play for 3 years straight in order for me to hear all the songs I wanted to hear, but I really wish he’d done some more from the early-middle albums (Your Arsenal, Bona Drag, Kill Uncle). And I also really wanted to hear America Is Not The World, because of that line about “the president, is never black, female or gay.” I hoped he’d comment on that. But what he did play was fantastic. His band is amazing and he really let them shine at times sitting on the floor and gazing up at whomever had a solo.

Like a good little concert goer, I left my camera at home (I didn’t want it taken away from me) so I had to take some really crappy photos with my cell phone. There were at least 4 people around me taking really nice photos with really nice cameras. Boo.

Of course one of the highlights is always the stage divers. This time I thought someone was going to be killed. I was amazed at how the bodyguards/bouncers just slammed into people and threw them off the stage. ONTO other people. I think one guy even got his glasses broken. Ah crazy people, gotta love ’em. Note to self: If Moz ever comes back to town don’t get front row or even 4th row tickets.

The post Morrissey first appeared on Collected Sounds.

I saw Eleni Mandell last night at the Cedar Cultural Center. i uploaded some pix to Picasa. So you can look at the slideshow here (small) or click on it and see the photos in full size. Warning: They’re not any clearer large. I was sitting in the back and didn’t want to disturb anyone so I didn’t use flash.
I have a good camera, but not that good.

I want to send a big THANK YOU to [Vita.mn] for the tix which I won by Tweeting a trivia answer!

Hope you enjoy. I won’t do a real review except to say that she was amazing. I was shocked at how much she rocked. I guess I shouldn’t have been seeing as I’d heard her newest record (which is very different from previous ones). But I also learned her drummer is from the band X. So, there’s that!

Eleni Mandell

The post Eleni Mandell at the Cedar first appeared on Collected Sounds.

They stayed with us for most of the weekend along with their friend Candace and we had a great time. I just wish they could have stayed longer. We had a blast sharing our favorite YouTube videos together, eating Thai food, and making fun of the sound our downstairs toilet makes when it flushes. It can wake the dead with its eerie burp-like sound. The latter will appear in one of their upcoming video blogs.

I am in the process of editing the video I took. I have some songs that would potentially be ready to post, but I have to clear it with the ladies first because the content might be confidential. That sounds way worse than it is. What I mean is some of the songs they played might not be ready for mass consumption yet. That sounds wrong too. Well, at any rate…soon I will post some video. Subscribe to the blog (the big orange R on the right side nav bar) so you won’t miss anything.

For now, here’s a photo of the show. (click for larger size)

A big fat sloppy thank you goes out to all of you who came to the show and helped make our last house concert a excellently fun time (even if there were only a few of us). YOU are the reason I hate to stop doing these, but everyone else is the reason that I am.

[STATSO.com]

The post Parlor Party Update: Steph Taylor and the State Of first appeared on Collected Sounds.

Steph Taylor

Sunday, September 21, 2008 at 4pm
Collected Sounds Living Room
Minneapolis, MN
[Make your reservations here]

Please join us for our last show of 2008, possibly our last show EVER (especially if we have a poor turnout)

Steph Taylor and the State Of is the product of the recent marriage between
Steph Taylor’s edgy piano playing and Nabedi Osorio’s electronic-like live
drumming. Their dark pop sensibility was born out of their mutual love and
respect for each other’s instruments and is reminiscent of artists ranging
from Tori Amos and Bjork to Radiohead, and the Police. Taylor’s style of
playing is often percussive and dark where Osorio’s drumming is melodic and
steadfast. The common bond that makes their music come together is the
intricate nature of their respective styles and when coupled, they create a
dynamic sound larger than what’s expected out of two people.

With a plethora of new material, they are touring to showcase songs from
their upcoming album, Day Of Abandon, which has tracks that vary from live
drum and bass beats met with melodic piano movements to guitar driven rock
songs, all reflecting that dark, haunting sound that Steph Taylor is
notorious for capturing. To experience a Steph Taylor show these days is not
to see a songwriter in the spotlight, backed up by a drummer hiding in the
shadows. Instead, you see two girls sitting side-by-side, small framed with
large instruments in one spotlight that grants them the rightful title,
‘indie duo’.

Amy’s Note: Steph played here with Gregory Douglass in 2006 and I’ve been anxious to have her back ever since. Her album is amazing and she’s even better live. She is bringing drummer, Nabedi Osorio, with her this time, so it may be a little wilder than last time (is that possible?)
She’s a genius, I tell you…You don’t want to miss this. Plus, she’s hilarious.

Steph Taylor Links
Steph Taylor Official Site
Steph on MySpace

Discography (click on CD cover to listen to samples and order)

Between Ground and Sky (2006)

For Me (2003)

[Make your reservations here]

The post Parlor Party: Steph Taylor and the State Of THIS WEEKEND! first appeared on Collected Sounds.

She is exceptionally talented and deserved to have a full house of people, but I guess we can’t compete with other events happening (vacations, family visits and work were the top reasons for either not signing up or for canceling last moment).

I only have a moment and I forgot the camera cord at home, so I can’t post any photos yet, but I wanted to tell you it went well and we had fun! After the show (which we held in the theater again) we put on the Olympics just in time to see Michael Phelps win his 8th Gold and we all hooted and hollered. It was cool to see it on the big screen too!

As I said, I’ll post set list soon
Here’s a photo

The post Concert Review: Kyler England at Collected Sounds first appeared on Collected Sounds.

Kyler England
Saturday August 16, 2008 8:00 pm

Collected Sounds Living Room
Minneapolis, MN

I saw Kyler England perform on the same bill as Vienna Teng a few years ago and became an instant fan. We’ve been talking about doing a show for some time now and we’re both glad it finally has
come together! Here’s a little more about her:

“Listening to any Kyler England song, it’s easy to believe you’re hearing a classic in the making: gorgeous, organic pop music that speaks to your heart like a close friend.
Her soulful voice draws you in with its fragile strength, then leaves you breathless when it soars to brilliant heights. She sings like you’d always wished you could, with all the raw honesty of your
most painful moments and all the beauty of your fiercest hopes. There is something universal going on here, something magical. Comparisons to Sarah McLachlan and Patty Griffin are mere approximations;
Kyler has a style and charisma all her own.”
–from Kyler’s official bio

[See more videos]

[Kyler England Official Site]

Live Wire Volume 2 (2007)	The Green Room Sessions (2006)	Live Wire (2005)
A Flower Grows In Stone (2003)

The post Parlor Party: Kyler England TONIGHT!! first appeared on Collected Sounds.

Review by Karen Hester

Amanda Palmer at Spiegeltent was as expected – great music (lots of
slow songs), interesting clothes (bra, gold corset, ruffled skirt, red
stockings, magic marker smeared hands), digressive stories,
communicating through large hand-held signs (afterwards there were
audiences members wandering around holding ‘Hi’ or ‘and’), karaoke (to
Ben Folds song), ‘Creep’ on ukelele to end, which was around 1.30am
(sleepy grrrr DD and AP shows lateness).

Songs were Ampersand, Astronaut, Point of it all, Guitar hero, Runs in
the family, Icarus, Blake says, Strength through Music, Coin Operated
Boy, Half Jack, Mrs O, a Regina Spektor song, an obscure sentimental
song by an Irishman (“look, mummy, no hands” on the carousel).

Oh, and a song with lyrics by Neil Gaiman. They’re both Sinatra fans
and were discussing how you can’t do songs about lonely people sitting
in smoky bars at 3am anymore, it’s so cliche, and bars aren’t smoky,
and who does that anyway, so the late-night loneliness ballad instead
went “I google you…”

During ‘Ask Amanda’ we learnt that her favorite vege is broccoli, Neil
Gaiman was ‘fucking amazing’, and that we become one with the earth
after death.

Story of her plane ride to NY: sitting in back next to old Arab guy
(“he was in his late 100s”) who couldn’t speak English; lots of
confused attempts to converse, feeling of success when she realized he
needed a wheelchair, and further success when she helped him call a
phone number. He hand signed ‘is this home?’ when they landed and she
thought about it and realized the NY skyline was her favorite and said
‘yes’ and felt wonderful, like they’d shared a deep moment and she’d
come to an important realization, and she gazed into his wise old-man
eyes and leaned back in her seat and enjoyed the moment. And then he
reached over and grabbed her breast and squeezed. “Way to spoil the
moment, dude.”

Similarly, a sleazy older guy was there with his little goth-metal
son, and dad (we’ll assume) keeps on asking “do you think she’s hot?
man, amanda palmer is sexy.” I’m not sure if this is a usual
father-son bonding issue. He shouts out “You’re hot Amanda” and takes
out a comb to tidy up his comb-over.

Amanda wants to hand out her album at 5am in the morning the day it’s
released, for free, so keep an eye out if you’re an upper East
Coaster.

[This Flickr site] has some cool photos
[Amanda’s MySpace]

I also found this video (on Neil Gaiman’s site) of Amanda singing “I Google You”

The post Concert Review: Amanda Palmer at Spiegeltent first appeared on Collected Sounds.

But for this show we decided to try something different. It was a pretty hot day, and while we have AC, we don’t have it pumping to the main floor (one of the downfalls of having a house built in 1897). So we moved it all upstairs to the theater room where, just like a real theater, it’s very cool temperature-wise. We set Edie up in front of the movie screen and went completely acoustic, nothing plugged in at all. The guests all sat in our big comfy bean bag chaise lounge chairs on the floor.

It felt very hippy dippy…in a good way!

Edie put on a fantabulous show. It was very relaxed and intimate. She told great stories, answered questions, and we even had a little bit of a sing-along.Brianna Lane was a guest and Edie asked her to sing on a couple of songs. It was just a really nice atmosphere. I kind of wish we could do all the shows this way.

Ellen Stanley from KFAI was there (HI Ellen!!) and Edie stopped by the KFAI studios on Sunday to join Ellen for her Womenfolk show. You can listen to Edie make her KFAI debut in the studio[Listen Here]

I took some photos, but I was trying to be unobtrusive so I did not use flash, and it’s pretty dark up there, so they are very grainy, but at least you can get a feel for the vibe of the night.

The post Concert Review: Edie Carey at Collected Sounds first appeared on Collected Sounds.

She is about one month into recording the album in New York with some fabulous people. (Hi Alex Wong!). She and Alex have written at least one song together called Antebellum and you can read the lyrics on her scrapbook page.

It sounds fantastic with Alex working on string arrangements till the wee hours of the morning, utilizing a chamber string orchestra, and working endlessly to create a perfect sound. If you know Vienna’s work, you know that there are usually several layers to her songs. Well, it sounds like they’re spending a great deal of time and energy on making sure every string pluck and every ‘ting’ is exactly right. I know what you’re thinking…uh oh, that can make something sound antiseptic. But I wouldn’t worry, these people are geniuses and they know what they’re doing. I think we’ll love it.

You can read about it in her words on [Vienna’s Scrapbook].

Certainly check out [Eric Cheng’s site] – There are some fabulous photos of the recording sessions, including a video, which I have embedded here. But please go to his site too to see the photos and stuff.

Vienna Teng recording session in New York for album 4 from echeng on Vimeo.

The post Vienna Teng new album info first appeared on Collected Sounds.

Edie Carey in the Living Room
Saturday July 19, 2008 at 8:00pm
Collected Sounds Living Room
Minneapolis, MN
Suggested Donation $15

With her warm, graceful voice and her knack for cutting “into a subject…with a diamond-edged blade**,”
Edie Carey grabs hold of her audiences and doesn’t let go until she steps off the stage.

While her songs are what first draw listeners in, it’s what she says in between that keeps them coming back.
Carey’s wry and self-mocking humor, coupled with her ability to tell a great story, makes audiences feel as though they have just spent the
evening with a very close friend.

Given the triple threat of her magnetic stage presence, heart-grabbing songs, and almost unearthly voice,
it’s no wonder that the word about Carey is traveling fast. Performing Songwriter called her latest release,
When I Was Made, “a lovely, shimmering, heart-felt record”;

Prepare for the show, by stocking up on Edie’s music!

Edie Carey Official Site

Another Kind of Fire (2006) Listen to tracks	When I Was Made (2003) Listen to tracks	Call Me Home (2002) Listen to tracks
Come Close (2002) Listen to tracks	The Falling Places (1998) Listen to tracks

The post Parlor Party: Edie Carey July 19, 2008 first appeared on Collected Sounds.

Artist: Rachael Sage
Date: May 31 and June 1, 2008
Venue: Collected Sounds Living Room and Aura
City: Minneapolis, MN

Review by [Amy Lotsberg] Producer of Collected Sounds

On May 31 we welcomed Rachael Sage back at Collected Sounds. We’ve hosted her several times before and it’s always a great time.

She was recently in London for a sort of a whirlwind trip so I assumed she’d be tired. If she was, she didn’t show it. She put on a fantastic show.

I did not record it this time and did not write down a set list (give me a break! I’m putting food out and taking pictures and trying to keep the dogs quiet and whatnot!) so I’m sorry I cannot tell you what she played. But I know she did mostly stuff from her new record, Chandelier.

She also played at Aura the following day. The turnout wasn’t fabulous but while she was doing sound check a woman happened by the sidewalk (the windows were open), heard Rachael, called her daughters and they all came in for the show. They also gave a generous donation for Rachael. See, all it takes is one Super Fan! This particular one told Rachael that she was like The Jewish Madonna.

Thing about Aura is you often have your drunks. There’s almost always at least one person who treats it like their own personal show where they can yell things at the performer such as, “How much for a cd?!” (though it sounds more like ‘ha mush for a she-dee?!’) and expect the artist to stop singing and answer the question. The drunk this day who was offering her music advice (obviously not knowing that she runs her own record label and has released 8 albums on her own.)

But this one was worth it. Rachael did a great couple of sets, sold some CDs and we all had a great time.

[Rachael Sage Official Site]

[Collected Sounds at Flickr] for more photos.

The post Concert: Rachael Sage: The Jewish Madonna (2008) first appeared on Collected Sounds.

Review by [Adam K.]

Nothing had prepared me for this gig, I have to say. Hot and weary and not in the best of moods, my default cynical state had already decided exactly what I was going to see. Nice to know that I can still be surprised. to say the least. I’ve never been so happy to be so confounded.

A low-key and simple set-up, an acoustic set consisting of Thea on guitar and vocals, Nigel Stonier on guitar, vocals, harmonica and piano, and a multi-talented woman called Fluff who managed cello, viola, guitar and backing vocals. I predicted something laid-back and….well, predictable, but had sorely underestimated Thea and my own capacity to love music.

She drew mostly from Liejacker, her new album (which I’m still loving and, if you haven’t got it yet….well, why not?) with a few songs from “Rules for Jokers”, one from “Avalanche” and one from “Harpo’s Ghost” and everything was great until Nigel took to the piano, Fluff took to the wings and Thea took to the mic for a spare, haunting “Icarus Wind”, at which point I thought….wow.

Just….wow. I almost wept.

From then on, the evening was more than just “great”. It became one of the all time greats, for me, a truly incredible experience. A version of “This Girl Is Taking Bets”, the number that — on the last tour — got the full electric treatment with Erin McKeown lending her guitar talents, this time round had only Nigel on acoustic guitar and Fluff laying down spiralling viola lines while Thea delivered her vocal with a manic energy and glee that made the air crackle. “Saviours and All” now contained a simple but devastatingly effective acapella vocal break, a new song called “God’s Got Nothing On You”, with just Thea on guitar and vocals, was utterly thrilling, and a traditional protest/folk song, the name of which I didn’t catch, was enthralling. Sometimes I broke open with laughter, sometimes I broke down with tears. Sometimes it was hard to tell which was which.

For “When I Get Back to Shore”, people were invited up on stage to sing along. Us being English, only about a dozen did, but apparently it beat the count in Glasgow, where only one person got up. The finale was a version of “The Lower Road” that ended with Nigel and Fluff walking offstage and leaving Thea to finish the song alone.

Throughout, as I’ve previously noted, Thea’s voice was a wondrous, sensuous, bluesy thing, richer than it’s ever been before and more beautiful than I’d ever imagined.

There was also some ecto banter: as we were in Bloomsbury, Nigel mentioned TS Eliot. “Would he like my songs?” Thea asked. “He’s probably more of a Nerina Pallot fan” replied Nigel, adding, “I have no idea why I said that” and breaking down in a fit of giggles. Later, when warning people that they would be asked up to join them onstage singing, Thea mentioned that there was someone there who would be definitely joining in. To which someone shouted out “It’s Nerina Pallot!”

I left stunned and enchanted. Not much more one can ask from a gig, really.

Amy’s Note: Thanks for the wonderful review, Adam. I wish I could have been there!

[Thea Gilmore Official Site]

The post Concert: Thea Gilmore in London (2008) first appeared on Collected Sounds.

Artist: Terami Hirsch

Date: June 6. 2008

Venue: Collected Sounds Living Room

City: Minneapolis, MN

We hosted Terami Hirsch on Friday night. I have been a fan of Terami since she sent me an email back in 2000. I’ve seen her play live a few times (not enough!) and even traveled out to California once to see her and Vienna Teng play a show together. But I’ve been trying to arrange another house concert here for the last five years (she was last here in 2003) but she hadn’t been on a tour at this part of the country since. So this was long awaited and very exciting.

Terami started the show and was wonderful as always. We set up Greg’s lap top to record. The whole time I was thinking ‘I can’t wait to listen to this later!’ only to find out that when he went to hit save at the end, the computer crashed and lost everything.

Luckily I was recording it in video form on my lap top. The sound quality is poor but at least I have something to remember it by. I’m going to try and splice it up and post it on YouTube per Terami’s request. (link to her video)

Those of you who have heard both Terami’s older stuff and now her newer know that there is one major change. Her voice. Where before it was charming and quirky (and I loved it) it is now strong, clear and spectacular. It sounds even better live, if that’s possible. She mentioned to us that she believes she sill has three years of lessons left, but I hardly believe that. I can’t imagine what she’ll sound like then!

She played only stuff from To the Bone onward, but she did play Stained. Prefacing it with “Amy, I think you like this one…I may be wrong but…” Of course she’s not wrong, I love everything of hers I have heard. This was a different version. It seemed slower and more emotional. Very nice.

She talked a lot and one thing that was really cool is that one of the guests, Brian, asked her some really good questions.

He asked about her process and how each of albums is different.

Another thing that struck me and perhaps it was because the mood of the evening was pretty mellow, but it seemed that most of the songs she played, she did at a slower pace than the recorded versions.

After the show we sat around and talked and ate cheese and crackers and cookies. It was a small crowd but a nice and attentive one. It was great to meet the two new guys, Brian and Adam. You guys are great and I hope we see you again soon!

We discussed how we could make it possible for her to come back in less than 5 years. Brian suggested having people pre-pay so we’re sure she’d make enough to pay for the transportation. So that’s a possibility. Either way, I just hope we can see her again soon!

Set List
The Collector
Coming Around
Time Machine
Love
Better Times
Never Go Back
Drifting
Battle for Infinite Time
Stained
Fable Moon
Paperweight/What I Didn’t See
Astronaut
Little Light
A Broke Machine

[Terami Hirsch Official Site]

The post Concert: Terami Hirch at Collected Sounds (2008) first appeared on Collected Sounds.

Artist: Gregory Douglass

Date: May 8, 2008 8pm

Opening Act: Kirsten Melrose

Venue: Gingko Coffeehouse

City: Minneapolis, MN

It’s weird for me to see Gregory any place other than my living room. He has played the house several times and while I’ve seen him perform at other venues, it’s still strange. I would have loved to host him at the house but we had another show too close in time to this one. So Gingko it was.

I’ve been to shows at Gingko before but this was strange. We walked in late (of course, I don’t know what’s wrong with me lately) and opener, Kirsten Melrose, was already playing. The place was dark and looked like it was closed up. The counter where you can usually buy coffee, scones, etc, was all closed up.

We tried to sneak in and find a seat but the floor is so creaky our every move was highlighted. So we stood still until we could run and grab a seat during the applause.

I was not previously familiar with Kirsten Melrose but she was really good. She has a lovely voice and she and her backup singer (I want to say Cora?) sound lovely together.

When she was finished the lone employee flipped on the lights and opened up the counter. We got our coffees, she closed up, turned the lights out again and we and sat back down for Gregory’s set.

He was kind of on fire! If you’ve seen him perform you know that he is a very emotional performer. He seemed even more so this time. I’ll admit some of the songs were so wildly sung that I was unable to discern the lyrics, but that’s OK. I love that he’s so into it.

He even made a little inside joke. He had been with us the previous night at the Swell Season show and made a little joke explaining that one of his songs was about ‘the conflict between the head and the heart’. Those of us that knew what he was referring to guffawed.

Fun show, though I wish it had taken place in my living room. Hopefully next time!

[Gregory Douglass Official Site]

[Buy his live CD, Retro Active 2 at CD Baby]

The post Concert: Gregory Douglass at Gingko Coffee House first appeared on Collected Sounds.

Date: May 7, 2008 8pm

Opening Act: Damien Dempsey

Venue: Orpheum Theater

City: Minneapolis, MN

Well, it’s sure been awhile since I’ve been out to a show. I don’t know what’s wrong with me, I used to see live music all the time. I mean ALL the time. Like 4 nights a week. I’m older now I guess. And also lame.

Anyway, I got a wild hair and ordered tickets to The Swell Season. I loved the film, “Once” and cried happy tears when Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova won an Oscar for their great song from the film. So I figured it’d be a pretty good live show.

I had no idea.

First of all it was sold out. A pretty good sized theater I might add. So the crowd was excited and happy and made for a really great energy in the “room” (I use the term carefully as the “room” is ginormous).

I was with my hubby, my bestest gf, and a musician friend of mine who happened to be visiting and the 4th ticket became free at the last minute so he was able to join us. Whoo.

Sometimes I tend to go to a concert late because I don’t really care to hear the opener, but there have also been times when I have been very pleasantly surprised with an artist I had never heard of before (Paula Cole, opening for Sarah McLachlan, anyone?) So we tried to see as much of Damien Dempsey as we could. I think we maybe only missed one song. He was fabulous!

He’s got a great gravelly voice (both speaking and singing) and an accent that took some time to get used to. He sang great, powerful folky songs with lots of meaning. A real treat.

After a short break Glan Hansard appeared on stage alone. He walked to center stage in front of the microphone and sang “Say it to Me Now” unplugged and unmic’ed. The crowd went nuts.

After that Marketa came out and helped him tune his guitar and they went into “All the Way Down”.

I’m not going to go into every song, this is long enough as is. But I did want to say that Glen is a fabulous story teller. He told this amazing story about a psychic (for lack of a better word) couple that they know. She was able to connect, via her husband, with a couple of kids who had died a very long time ago and she was able to help set their spirits free. It was lovely. There were many references later to ghosts who may or may not be in the room with us, dancing across the stage. For me loving ghosts, this was totally cool.

He also got a little long winded and, I may add a little obsessed, with making us understand the difference between the head and the heart. He was trying to explain how they are constantly in conflict. I think everyone got it, but he kept coming back to this and it pretty much became a joke.

The rest of the band was pretty amazing as well, in particular the violinist. At one point most of the band took a break and left him on stage to do a solo number. He was using a loop station and the thing was not behaving. He’d record part one, then try to add part two to it and part one would crap out. He must have tried it 6 times. Finally it worked and it was pretty incredible.

When the rest of the band came back out to join him, Hansard said “That’s the problem with asking ghosts to join you on stage, they fuck with your pedals.”

There was something going on there, I don’t know if it was ghostly or just adoration, but it was a really cool feeling.

Great show, great night.

Set list

Set list:
Say it to Me Now
All the Way down
Lies
This Low
Drown Out
When Your Mind’s Made Up
I Have Loved You Wrong
Falling Slowly
Leave
What Happens When the Heart Just Stops
Lay Me Down
Happiness
Fogtown
The Model
Once
If You Want Me
Blue Shoes
Fitzcarraldo
Star Star
The Auld Triangle

[Swell Season/The Frames Official Site]

[Buy Swell Season at Amazon]

[Buy Once Soundtrack at Amazon]

Thanks to PlayedLastNight.com you can download this concert [here]

The post Concert Review: The Swell Season first appeared on Collected Sounds.

Artist: Ben Arthur
Date: May 3-4, 2008
Venue: Collected Sounds Living Room / Aura
City: Minneapolis, MN

Review by [Amy] Producer of Collected Sounds

Ben played a great show at the house. We’ve been trying to arrange this show for years and something always came up (on both our sides) preventing it. So it was pretty cool that we were actually able to pull it together.

It was a very relaxed atmosphere and I must say Ben has some really cool fans and friends. We had a great time!

I didn’t write down a set list, but we did record the show so once I get a chance to listen to it I’ll write that up.

Set list

Track list from the house show…
At The End Of The Day
(New Song Not On An Album)
Simple World
Sun Also Rises
Keep Me Around
Tattoo
Tonight
Maryann
On A Sunday
::Break::
(Unsure)
Bloomed
All Alone

He also played at Aura the following day. The turnout was pretty abysmal. Ben said that he expected that because he’d had three really good shows in a row. I guess that’s how it goes. Rarely more than three good ones in a row! (by ‘good’ I mean, well attended…he’s always good).

There was only one reservation and that person didn’t even show. Luckily my fabulous friends stepped up and joined us for this small, but also great, show.

Aura has pretty poor lighting in the middle of the afternoon!

[Ben Arthur Official Site]

The post Concert: Ben Arthur in Minneapolis (2008) first appeared on Collected Sounds.

Date: March 11, 2008

Venue: Joe’s Pub

City: New York

Review by Karen Hester

It’s problematic seeing an artist for the first time when they’ve got a back catalog you love, but you’re not into their current album. Universe, Blue Parade, Night Bugs, Day One, Orphan Music – like, love, adore them. The Baroness – am rather bored by it so far (fingers crossed, am continuing to listen). The songs and lyrics are too plain; lots of slow boring ballads; the genres it touches on are gospel, cabaret etc – I want more pop, rock, hell I’ll take opera.

The new song I liked the most at the concert was ‘Parasol’ which isn’t on the album – this mad lively song was only available to pre-sale buyers who were willing to pay as much for postage as the album. ‘Parasol’ tumbles along at great speed, spilling melody over the side, silly rhymes piling on top of one another. “And I coughed this up in a sooty perfume, Out of my mouth like a feather plume, And now here’s one more crazy tune”, stench, bench, wrench; lane, Spain, explain. Eliza Doolittle would choke. A song I would happily legally download IF it were available. Such are the reasons I hate record companies.

Somehow she picked all my least favorites from The Baroness to play – the most boring of boring. No poppy catchy ‘Change your mind’ or ‘So many miles’, ghostly ‘Shadowland’, dramatic ‘Hopeful hearts’. She played ‘California’, ‘Pilgrim’, ‘Duncan’, ‘Blue parade’, ‘Universe’ (a request), and those were all lovely. Great band (upright bass, drums, guitar). Sarah stood and danced for ‘Lucky me,’ and the cameras came out. Her theatrical mannerisms can distract from the music – even though the persona goes with the music, it is awkwardly realized and can be uncomfortable to watch for some.

Still, enough lovely moments, and I don’t like the previous albums any the less.

[Sarah Slean Official Site]

The post Concert: Sarah Slean in New York first appeared on Collected Sounds.

Date: March 11, 2008 11pm

Venue: Rockwood Music Hall

City: New York

Review by Karen Hester

The Paper Raincoat (Vienna Teng, Alex Wong, Amber Rubarth) played Rockwood Music Hall at 11pm. Someone described them as ‘very Brooklyn’ which captures it – lots of local place references, urban folk perhaps, with Vienna’s piano expertise and Alex’s mad percussion and guitar skills (skillz) rescuing songs from lack of rehearsal. They each led their own songs, sounding like solo artists playing with mates rather than a band (which is fine). Though I’m not into Vienna’s recent album, ‘City Hall’ is always heart-warming, ‘1br/1ba’ was made interesting with Alex hitting his box, and the two new songs were new and thus of interest.

Amber Rubarth played guitar and glockenspiel and looked freakily like Katie Holmes, with her wide down-turned eyes. She was sweet and cute and her songs were cute and sweet. Funny lyrics, catchy melodies, all about being broken up with. Hopefully she’ll expand her repertoire to include initiating-the-breaking-up lyrics as I did feel rather that she needed to be sat down and told that he wasn’t worthy of all these songs Would need to see her play solo to determine whether she’s sickly in a bigger dose, or just as charming.

[The Paper Raincoat MySpace Site]

[read a review of the CD], Safe in the Sound

The post Concert Review: The Paper Raincoat first appeared on Collected Sounds.

Artist: Mary Bue

Date: February 10, 2008

Venue: Restaurant Aura

City: Minneapolis, MN

Review by [Amy Lotsberg] Producer of Collected Sounds

The show was fantastic. Mary was wonderful and we all had a great time. Mary and I are now talking about doing a house concert here maybe even as early as MARCH!!!

So stay tuned.

[Mary Bue Official Site]

The post Mary Bue in Minneapolis (2008) first appeared on Collected Sounds.

Artist: Joanna Newsom

Date: January 31, 2008

Venue: Brooklyn Academy of Music

City: Brooklyn, NY

Review by Karen Hester

The orchestra worked well, rich and percussive, much like the album arrangements. Wish there had been a few more grand symphonic moments with noisy bowing and blowing and banging, but as they weren’t limited to pleasant background textures or syrupy sentimental strings, I was happy.

It was fun to watch Joanna’s fingers (through binoculars, as I was closer to the roof than her) – spiders dancing across strings. She’d play a glissando with pretty notes all in a row, but her fingers wouldn’t run across the strings like a dainty angel; instead they plucked, angular.

A fellow concert goer commented that she wasn’t a good ‘band leader’ – between songs there’d be uncomfortable silence or tuning, she’d say hi, and random audience dude would propose marriage. Joanna’s drummer stepped in and made not entirely funny jokes (“I call this song ‘Barbara’. You guys get it, right? Jo has lots of songs with female names. It’s a funny joke.”) He told us to meet him afterwards by the merch table if we weren’t sure who we were voting for, as he’d been shilling for Obama and had his arguments down pat. The band (violinist/bvs, mandolin/banjo, Joanna, drummer) would look at each other, shuffle about, wonder when to start, and then the music would begin and everything fell into place. I don’t have a problem with uneasy stage patter, as long as the music is good.

I overheard a couple referred to ‘Colleen’ as “that song that sounds like Riverdance” and contemplated hitting them over their heads. It only sounds like Riverdance if that’s the only vaguely Irish music you’ve ever heard, and what idiot could be so limited in their exposure. A Brooklyn hipster, I guess.

[Joanna Newsom Official Site]

The post Concert: Joanna Newsom in Brooklyn first appeared on Collected Sounds.

Artist: KT Tunstall

Date: January 14, 2008

Venue: Joe’s Pub

City: New York City, NY

Review by Karen Hester

Joe’s Pub advertised a show by KT Tunstall as her “only currently scheduled US date for 2008.” A voice in my head said “the only reason you want to go is because she’s famous and it’s a small venue, you snob.” I thought, fair point. Another voice said “the only reason you don’t want to go is because she’s famous – if someone obscure wrote catchy pop songs like that, you’d be there in a flash, you snob.” I thought, fair point. Then I told the voices to go away until they had something useful to contribute, such as a plot to hypnotize US presidential nominees, implanting a cool activation phrase to be triggered at the moment of big-red-button-pushing.

The show was a fairly enjoyable hour of music (no going overtime at Joe’s). Unfortunately the audience was almost entirely Joe’s Pub donors who were more interested in their calamari than the music. KT commented on the lack of audience reaction but was nonetheless cute and personable, giving us “free facts” with our tickets (e.g. cockroaches don’t die from decapitation, just from the hunger that produces; if you took all the space between molecules out of Earth, it’d be the size of an apple. A very heavy apple).

There was a percussionist, two backing singers (who also tinkled on a ‘rockinspiel’), and KT on her guitar. Her voice is pleasantly rough live, and her guitar playing nicely rhythmic, preventing things from getting too MOR. She did the cool self-sampling thing, playing ‘Black horse and a cherry tree’ in her patented solo way (eg YouTube). Lots of fun. KT has several catchy songs other than the singles, and the ballads were pretty. Suddenly I See was supposed to be the show topper but her guitar sound was huge and trebly for that song, spoiling her catchy ode to Patti Smith somewhat.

[KT Tunstall Official Site]

The post first appeared on Collected Sounds.

[now, see here…]

The show was great. I wasn’t aware of Alex’s music until yesterday and let me tell you, he is AMAZING. They did some of his own songs too and he’s a wonderful songwriter.

We had some no-shows, which always sucks because those folks took seats away from other people who really wanted to be there and had to be turned down. But what can you do? Some people’s kids just have no manners, I guess. The good news is that only 3 or 4 people had to sit on the floor.

And we do it again tonight!

Whee!!!

UPDATE:
Here is the page for the show, complete with set lists and some photos:
[click here]

The post Vienna Teng House Concert_ Updated (2007) first appeared on Collected Sounds.

Artist: Vienna Teng/Alex Wong

Date: November 8-9, 2007

Venue: Collected Sounds Living Room

City: Minneapolis, MN

Review by [Amy Lotsberg] Producer of Collected Sounds

Well, it was years in the making but it finally happened. We got to host Vienna Teng. I couldn’t have been more excited. And Vienna and Alex did not disappoint. I was of course familiar with Vienna’s music, but I didn’t know Alex’s until recently. He’s wonderful too and they are fabulous together.

The vibes of the shows were quite different. Thursday night was actually pretty rockin’ while it seemed everyone was pretty mellow on Friday. Sort of the opposite of what I was expecting. But great shows, both. I would love to have either or both of them back anytime!!!

[Vienna Teng Official Site]

[Alex Wong Official Site]

[Ken’s Blog] – Ken was at the show and wrote about it.

The post Concert: Vienna Teng/Alex Wong at Collected Sounds first appeared on Collected Sounds.

Artist: Vienna Teng & Alex Wong
Date: November 8-9, 2007
Venue: Collected Sounds Living Room
City: Minneapolis, MN

Review by [Amy Lotsberg] Producer of Collected Sounds

Well, it was years in the making but it finally happened. We got to host Vienna Teng. I couldn’t have been more excited. And Vienna and Alex did not disappoint. I was of course familiar with Vienna’s music, but I didn’t know Alex’s until recently. He’s wonderful too and they are fabulous together.

The vibes of the shows were quite different. Thursday night was actually pretty rockin’ while it seemed everyone was pretty mellow on Friday. Sort of the opposite of what I was expecting. But great shows, both. I would love to have either or both of them back anytime!!!

Set list

[Vienna Teng Official Site]

[See all photos on my Flickr Acct]

The post Concert: Vienna Teng/Alex Wong (2007) first appeared on Collected Sounds.

Artist: Alphabeat

Date: November 30, 2007

Venue: Barfly

City: Liverpool

Review by [David Adair]

For £3, the price of a bottle of Budweiser at most of the bars in this city that is arguably unrivalled in its contribution to pop music. Tonight, for the same price, you can see six Danes who form Alphabeat stomp through a bubbly and colourful set of striding boy/girl vocal interchanging pop. For the most part these cheery Danes, who make Romeo Stoddart seem manic depressive, swerve between flighty thrust of The Concretes and the quirkiness of The Scissor Sisters. Sprinkling in some feel-good frivolity to match Mika, who they supported across Europe and it seems like that was a match made in heaven. This comes off through the front pairing of Anders SG and Stine Bransen.

Troll Hansen and Anders Rheinholdt step to the fore provide the thrust and push for a drum and bass thrusting snap, ‘Fascination’. This turns into a rawer, light yelping vocal release to match the potency of fellow Scandinavians The Sounds. Taking matters to a more new wave plain. Recent single and gush of pure inhibition airing pop, ‘Fantastic Six’ demonstrates oomph and cheery abandon that starts to rub off on the initially wary local gathering, who don’t quiet no how to fully respond at times.

It’s only upon hitting the rain soaked street outside when a sighting of an obligatory Sex Pistols tshirt catches the eye. That the realisation sets in as to what Alphabeat might actually be achieving. They are producing a sound independently that is usually so manufactured, it should be sold in tins. This is done, especially in a live setting, with such joy and enthusiasm oblivious to what anyone would dare to write, say or criticise them for. Their approach almost says “sod you”, to any prospective backlash before it is written or even fully thought out. Isn’t this spirit what true punk was all about, ironically?

RATING; 3.5/5

[Alphabeat Official Site]

The post Concert: Alphabeat in Liverpool first appeared on Collected Sounds.

Artist: Joanna Newsom

Date: September 12, 2007

Opening Act: Moore Brothers

Venue: Paradiso

City: Amsterdam, Holland

Review by [Sander]

I just returned from an absolutely awesome concert by Joanna Newsom, and need to do some gushing and raving about it, so herewith.

Before tonight, I wouldn’t have described myself as a Joanna Newsom fan. Sure, I had a copy of The Milk-Eyed Mender, and enjoyed listening to it, but her voice (which is frequently described as childlike) wasn’t really something I could imagine wanting to listen to for long lengths of time. Still, when I saw her name there right at the top of Paradiso’s agenda for today, with a bold “sold out” note underneath it, it took me less than a second before I was on the dutch equivalent of Craig’s List, looking for anyone with a leftover ticket. There was exactly one, and a minute later it was mine. So much for my plans to go and be productive tonight…

Opening for Joanna were the Moore Brothers, going on stage nearly as soon as the door had opened, while people were still filing in. I thought this explained the noise from the crowd, but after 10, 15 minutes, it was still going. Not just talking, but loud talking, enough in total to drown out the quieter parts of some of their quieter songs. I can’t believe how rude the audience was, and I was fearing greatly they’d behave the same with Joanna. The Moore Brothers weren’t really my type of music either, but they _were_ good, doing interesting things and deserving way more than this audience was giving them. Meh.

Still, the audience grew completely silent when Joanna and her band took the stage. And then Joanna started playing, and I pretty much forgot everything else. Wow. She played with such… joy, such fervor! She frequently had this big grin on her face, and that was totally infectious, as I kept finding it mirrored on my own face. I’m always very fond of harp players, but the way she attacked the instrument took it all into some other realm. Such gusto! And her band, playing ‘drums’ (one big drum and two cymbals), banjo/lute and violin were out of this world too, offsetting Joanna’s performance, giving her little breathing spaces so that she could come back even stronger, adding accents and punctuation and emphasis. She played several of the insanely long songs from Ys, which I here heard for the first time, but the total experience was such that the songs kept you totally captivated, and they still seemed to end way too swiftly. The audience also mostly redeemed itself in my eyes by the insane level of enthusiasm shown after each song, nearly surging forward with applause; more than I’ve ever known from a Dutch audience. Yet, despite a standing ovation and endless applause, Joanna only gave us a single, short single song encore. (I am left wondering if this was ‘repayment’ for the rude behaviour toward the Moore Brothers, who, as she mentioned several times, they loved very much.)

Anyway, the hour and a half of music she gave us was everything I could’ve hoped for, and so much more, so I shan’t complain. If you even only marginally like her CDs, I urge you to attend a live concert by her if you’re ever able to – she’s absolutely amazing!

[Joanna Newsom Official Site]

The post Concert: Joanna Newsom in Amsterdam first appeared on Collected Sounds.

Date: February 20, 2007

Opening Act: Kate Walsh

Venue: RNCM (Royal Northern College of Music)

City: Manchester

Review by [David Adair]

OK, so a female songwriter toeing a line between Joan Baez, Sarah Vaughan and Beth Orton, singing about past boyfriends and romantic happenings is music’s equivalent to a reality T.V. given the number of people at it. Brighton’s Kate Walsh apparently hasn’t had her TV plugged in since last July and doesn’t own an iPod. This idealistic Luddite deserves some respect for approaching the daunting task of performing an intimate acoustic set, in a setting that is perfect for brass bands with humility, littering the songs with feeling and sincerity.

The elementary nature of the music on display, Kate’s mystical gazes and the lullaby nature of a good share of the material, draws a scattered crowd into the haven of humbleness and reflection. For ‘Tonight’, the vocals become drawn out like Tony Blair’s departure as PM and the instrumental tingle underlines the life and relationship musing. The even tempo is disturbed for the heartstring tugging finale ‘Don’t Break My Heart’, with the guitar loops getting fatter and the vocal projection appears deeper. This is certainly the foundation for a full on pop-song, all it needs is the help of a skipping drumbeat and stroking bass lines. Kate’s unassuming and thoughtful nature creosotes her crisp, if a little one paced and common place material.

There is a novel way of breaking down the intimate wall of expectation and pressure, surrounding the stripping down of your bold and masterful musical coat to its acoustic undies. By entering the stage immediately after a brief set of wacky and dramatically performed, pastoral poetry from Carol Batten. Fretwell cuts a proud and earnest figure in the spotlight, as ‘William Shatner’s Dog’ instigates the doleful reflection and dawdling vocal stance that creates a laid back atmosphere to the sombre poetic pitch. This builds from a hollow and rumbling intro strikingly similar to that found on The White Stripes’ offering ‘Dead Leaves And The Dirty Ground’. The anthemic ‘Run’ is paraded in a rugged light that bears out the troublesome and longing nature of the song, something that usually hides behind its catching and colourful accompanying stroll. It’s not long before the crowd realises their part in proceedings and fun, frivolous banter entertains while Fretwell wrestles with a few technical gremlins, between songs.

What makes this set special is the fact that new numbers like the hollow and haunting ‘Bumper Cars’, are displayed at their first stage and this number in particular, will probably turn into a bold and strutting emotive burner come the release of forthcoming 3rd album. Some Bruce Springsteen skirting through ‘San Francisco Blues’, has gatherers nodding like the dog from the Churchill adverts. ‘Emily’ retains its potency, as the momentum builds nicely into the defiant ‘New York’ to bring familiarity to the fore. The humble Scunthorpe born and Manchester based songster is flanked by a guitarist for the encore, breathing the life required into covers of Elaine Page’s ‘Love Hurts’ and the Chilton Price penned ‘You Belong To Me’. This enables everyone present to leave with a sizeable impression as to this genuine guy’s current mood and thought processes. Mental notes are being made to look out for the looming 3rd album.

Rating; 3.5/5

[Stephen Fretwell Official Site]

[Kate Walsh Official Site]

The post Concert: Stephen Fretwell & Kate Walsh first appeared on Collected Sounds.

Date: February 18, 2007

Opening Act: OPENER

Venue: Manchester Academy 2

City: Manchester

Review by [David Adair]

Charity shop chic is the air and covering bodies tonight, as four close fashion mavericks with a love of the new wave seek to show that they are the conservatory, in Sheffield’s current mansion of dialogue and melody driven indie. Kate Jackson does her Chrissie Hinde’s come Blondie pitch with self assurance and catchy provocation early on. The glidingly catchy ‘Giddy Stratospheres’, sees Dorian Cox matching the leading lady in the swooning stakes. The sound in the dinner hall styled venue, holds firm tonight and the pizzazz of the debut album is matched almost note for note. The swirling glam punk of ‘Lust In The Movies’ sets the crowd moving with grace to match Jackson.

The closeness expected from a mixed gender quartet who each has a romantic interest with another band member, helps the sound maintain integrity and passion. Jackson regales us with tales of her first gig at the age of fourteen and, given the amount of fresh faces gathered, it can’t be far off from being several people’s introduction to the dynamic vibe of live music. There isn’t a better place to start than witnessing the lure of ranging, opinionated and dynamic strutting of this trend setting outfit that sets pulses racing to false start point.

Rating; 3.5/5

[The Long Blondes Official Site]

The post Concert; The Long Blondes in Manchester first appeared on Collected Sounds.

Date: February 9, 2007

Opening Act: Emmy The Great

Venue: Manchester Academy 1

City: Manchester

Review by [David Adair]

Low key and percussion free performer Emmy The Great, seeks to woo and stir with her Bjork, Martha Wainwright and Gretchen Peters fusing anti/folk, country and pop combination. Tonight, the Honk Kong born starlet is flanked by a fiddle player and a guitarist to create a settled atmosphere, as attention is fixed to the heart exploring subject matter of the material on display. The Joni Mitchell in Emmy comes to the fore for the lush, musically subtle and poetic ‘Two Steps Forward’, her crystal voice shines through this philosophical look at companionship. Dry humour is delivered with less clarity between songs and it seems to miss the mark once or twice tonight, but with more confidence it could help Emmy become a truly captivation live act. The material is honest and crafted enough to warrant further attention.

Guillemots are earning the mantra of being the Jekyll and Hyde of music, with their positive, flighty and slightly flowery record sound being contrasted by atmospheric, incongruous experimentation in their live shows. Tonight, many in attendance are hoping that a happy medium between the two styles can be found. Early on, the signs are not good, discordant sounds are created causing a few winces in the front rows. Then the instrumentals start to take shape and touches of Arcade Fire, Pink Floyd, Mogwai and Four Tet are thrown into a blender and a metaphorical fan is switched on. Eclectic, mood creating with a sharp touch gives an indication as to why this Fyfe Dangerfield fronted, white dressing gown wearing outfit does this. Buckets, a moog, and a whole host of diverse gadgets are used to drill in ambience and rustic vibes early on.

The set then evens out a little as Fyfe’s vocals return to their flighty and soulful best for tracks from ‘Through The Window Pane’, their sauntering debut album. These welcomed and give some familiarity to matters. A wistful, but spiteful number, ‘Go Away’ uses the double bass thrust to create a mood of sternness and Dangerfield’s vocals are trickled with soulful grit. A commanding and masterful performance of the caressing ‘Made Up Love Song #43’, illuminates an ability in contrast to the opening venture, of the Guillemots to produce heart-wrenching pop at its most captivating. The most notable offering of the evening is the R N B veined, brass pumped new offering ‘Big Dog’, possessing a yearning touch and receiving approval at this hint of their future foraging. Familiarity, strangeness, boldness and an empirical nature is all in a night’s work for this cosmopolitan sextet. A live album is a must for them to be able to allow people to fully understand their mocksy and, to make the live experience more accessible to their intrigued fan base.

Rating; 3/5

Set list

[Guillemots Official Site]

The post Concert: Guillemots in Manchester first appeared on Collected Sounds.

Date: February 8, 2007

Opening Act: The Tommys,The Maple State and The Sounds

Venue: Manchester Academy 1

City: Manchester

Review by [David Adair]

A drilling percussion combination is delivered by The Tommys’ Fran Robinson for opener ‘You’re Not The One’. This signals to everyone that the time for frowning and lamenting at the news that Travis Barker, drummer for tonight’s headliners will not be playing due to a broken arm, is over. The churning bass lines of Anna Naberie wraps around the percussion to provide a platform for the spindling guitars and drawn out, Katie Jane Garside vocals of singer Stevie Shepperson. Crowd approval is given immediately in the formation of a vibrant, flailing armed mosh circle that stops in unison mid-song, in amazement at the range and power on show.

The touch paper lighting rock-out of ‘Set It Off’, sees the pit rumbling again and the searching, coming of age glam-skirting ‘Freakshow’, helps Stevie’s vocal range expand like the condom that is being inflated before our eyes. Mind-freeing riffs and belting percussion gushes out from ‘Out Of My Head’, representing what feral rock should be about. The punk spirit oozes out of this trio of Crewe based femmes. This is more apparent in what is not here tonight and that is cheap merchandise and gimmicks, like free badges for signing the mailing list. The only product these girls are interested in, is their music and at the end of their soaring set, there are many people present who will happily buy that.

A few years back here in Manchester, local band The Maple State produced a hungry and accomplished set of brooding indie and rock, in support of Motion City Soundtrack. This helped them earn a deal with respected indie label High Voltage, but that is where the success story ends. Tonight, they fail to harness the crowd enthusiasm created by the opening act and requests from front man, Gregory Counsel for participation, sees just four hands aloft. Keyboard kicks and vocal yelps that fail to complement the creaking riffs, leaves most of the offerings appearing lifeless. New single, ‘Joanna’ takes on more atmospheric spice in a live setting and briefly gives the set some focus, but it is short lived and the 30 minutes passes without any real meaning and attention grabbing moments.

Electro frenzied Swedish troupe, The Sounds immediately raise intrigue levels. A rising, keyboard kicking merger of the impact of Republica and Blondie (especially in the vocals), includes a brief flirtation with Chrissie Hyndes. Their sound hangs out like a delinquent in a shopping mall. Keyboardist/synth driver Jesper Anderberg and bassist Johan Bengtsson provides the bulk of the instrumental, new wave thrust early on. This sound is hurled around using the thrusting and provocative older song, ‘Living In America’ that is actually about Sweden. Front vixen, Maja Ivarsson has no trouble in imbuing the mood of static captivation with some playfulness, as pleas for handclapping in the air results in universal acceptance and a ‘Radio Gaga’ type scene is upon us. Ivarsson’s teasing vocals reach bold impact point for the colourful ‘Painted By Numbers’, littered with drilling drumbeats that push along the leading lady’s spirited strut. The old new wave ability to captivate an energetic crowd into a state of intrigue and admiration is very much alive and well. However, the award for best crowd activation from the three support acts goes to openers, The Tommys.

A Travis-less +44, makes a low key entrance in contrast to front man Mark Hoppus’ reputation with Blink 182. Instead they stride meaningfully into their bounding and lyrically reflective material, leaning largely on debut album material. ‘Lycanthrope’ gives substitute drummer, Gill a chance to earn his corn and provide the broad, mid-tempo drive. He adeptly crafts a groove for Hoppus to ride his dragging, thoughtful vocals over. A theme that continues into the power pop, plead of ‘Baby Come On’ that gives the pit energy and a bit of rhythm.

Power ode, ‘Little Death’ represents the biggest departure from the lead man’s other project, as slow chiming guitars start the mournful sojourn. Eerie ambient interludes elevate the two tier vocals, scattering slow soul searching cries in the verses, before the emotion takes over and an emo/punk plain is reached. This range is well-received and the expected cries for Blink 182 songs are easily suppressed. Hoppus has not lost his enthusiastic and chatty stage presence, he’s just flushed away the toilet humour and not too many complain about that. ‘Chapter 13’ keeps the yearning touch ticking, it is an apt demonstration of mood building that is facilitated by the rumbling percussion and slow stabbing, lingering guitars. Tonight’s searching set represents a progression for Hoppus and could render Blink 182’s “indefinite hiatus” longer than many critics truly expected.

Rating; 4/5

[The Tommys Official Site]

[The Sounds Site Official Site]

[+44 Official Site]

The post Concert: +44 in Manchester first appeared on Collected Sounds.

Artist: Ellery and Brianna Lane
Date: February 3, 2007
Venue: Collected Sounds Living Room
City: Minneapolis, MN

Review by [Amy Lotsberg] Producer of Collected Sounds

Well, Ellery was here this month. What a joy. First of all, Tasha and Justin Golden stayed with me for a good portion of the week leading up to this show and I must say they are wonderful house guests. Justin even shoveled snow for me! But you probably care more about the show…

The night of the show we went out to dinner first with Brianna Lane who was also playing the same night. After dinner we came back and had a little sound check…

People started arriving and taking seats and we chatted and drank coffee with some adult additives (Kahlua and Baileys…what? come on, it was like 50 degrees below zero we were trying to stay warm!)
Brianna took the stage and played a great set. She’s just so damn charming. You can’t help but love her.

Then Ellery began. I’d really only heard their records, not seen them live. But I had seen a video of them playing live on YouTube so I knew that they had a good stage presence, but nothing compares to the real thing. They were marvelous.

It was a great night and I really appreciate all of you that came out in the bitter cold. I know you were rewarded with a great show!

[See all photos on my Flickr Acct]

The post Concert: Ellery & Brianna Lane (2007) first appeared on Collected Sounds.

Date: January 29, 2007

Venue: Manchester Academy

City: Manchester, England

Review by [David Adair]

With a BRIT Award nomination and a plethora of complimenting reviews on top of ample radio play, the playful Nerina Pallot would have been easily for given for commencing this intimate solo show, with a somersault and a curtsey. However, the humbleness and longing that seeps out in the maudlin piano solo of ‘Idaho’ must have taken grip of the amiable lasses’ emotions. The leading lady is content to humbly amble on to stage and unassumingly take pride of place in front of a piano. The opener is also the standout track from her independent album, ‘Fires’ that had to be re-released after reaching the top ten on I-tunes. This was first released on Nerina’s own label, Idaho.

The reflective, but warm ambience soon takes a firm hold on the audience and artist’s minds alike, floating around like controversy after a reality show on Channel 4. “This song is about shagging”, is a common phrase through the night. The playful enchantress seeks to breakdown the spine tingling intimacy she creates through her Tori Amos range and adeptness. Giving the acoustic guitar a relaxation session early on, stroking it tenderly. This is prevalent in the swooning pop ballad of ‘All Good People’, being stoked out with tenderness for an uplifting retreat into the mindset of a life-hugging thinker.

“I’m losing the fight, or the fight’s losing me I’m not certain.”

The self-confessed hippy espouses in the escape of ‘Damascus’, allowing for relaxation her vocal gait, making the most of the tight surroundings to create wistfulness and produce poetic meandering to drift away to. A return to the Beth Orton veined earlier work is well timed in ‘Blood Is Blood’, as a mockery is made of the pressure of performing such intimate material solo style. Cheeky crowd banter and a selfless appreciation of her technical team also facilitates the build up to the Shania Twain protest pearl, ‘Everybody’s Gone To War’, ensuring deserving adoration upon her exit for brief interlude. Rightly, proceedings close with the gripping, soul reaping sojourn ‘Sophia’. Nerina’s second coming is completed with heart, passion and sincerity, but will it be enough to help this true BRIT, attain a BRIT Award?

Rating; 4/5

[Nerina Pallot Official Site]

The post Concert: Nerina Pallot in Manchester first appeared on Collected Sounds.

Iâ€ve heard about some online concerts you can download! Theyâ€re all from NPR (National Public Radio).

[Regina Spektor]

[Neko Case]

[Martha Wainwright]

[Hereâ€s the page that the last two are on] in case you want to see if you already have this show. Set lists are on the page too.

[Hereâ€s the page with all of the concerts on it]

For the Regina one, the link was sent to me in an email. Iâ€m listening to that one right now and itâ€s really cool. Some songs I donâ€t know!

The post Downloadable Concerts first appeared on Collected Sounds.

Date: December 6, 2006

Venue: Daniel Street

City: Milford, CT

Review By Meredith Tarr

Just got back from seeing The Weepies play in, of all places, Milford, Connecticut (the town where I worked for a decade, and where woj works now … I’d say its only claim to fame is as home of Subway Sandwiches World HQ). There’s a relatively new venue downtown called Daniel Street — I’d never heard of it before I saw this show on The Weepies’ tour schedule. It turned out to be pretty nice, a bar seating about 150 with a nice stage and sound system. There were quite a few people there — surprising for CT on a school night — and it was a good listening crowd (despite the fact that the only two annoying people in the room who insisted upon singing along loudly when they weren’t chattering away at one another chose to sit right next to me :P).

The Weepies are Steve Tannen and Deb Talan, both singer/songwriters in their own right who have forged a musical partnership that is vastly more than the sum of its parts. Their second album, _Say I Am You_ came out on Nettwerk early this year, and it’s been in constant residence in my car CD changer ever since. It’s definitely in my top 3 releases of 2006, no question. Their music just plain makes me happy — even the slow ballads have an optimism to them that is bolstered by Steve and Deb’s gorgeous harmonies. And live, they bring everything up to another level entirely.

Right now their band is a six-piece extravaganza featuring Meghan Toohey (a name familiar to followers of the Boston scene of the past several years) on guitar, as well as drums, bass and keys, with Steve and Deb playing guitar and singing. Or at least trying to. Tonight Steve was suffering from a nasty bout of laryngitis that made him unable to do anything more than emit the occasional Tom Waits-like croak, poor thing … so they’d cobbled together a set list consisting of every song in their catalog that Deb sings lead on (with emphasis on the latest CD), as well as a couple Deb Talan solo tunes. Steve tried to make noises, but mostly Meg Toohey jumped in and took his parts wherever she could. Some of the songs were clearly new to the band at large, so Steve would conduct while Deb sang with a “OMG what’s about to happen” look on her face. There were no train wrecks, though, and all in all it was a very enjoyable show.

Their 2006 tour is almost over, but I highly recommend seeing them next time they come to your town. And in the meantime, pick up both their records and enjoy.

[The Weepies Official Site]

The post Concert: The Weepies in Milford, CT first appeared on Collected Sounds.

Artist: Rachael Sage and Jagoda

Date: October 28, 2006 8pm

Venue: Collected Sounds Living Room

City: Minneapolis, MN

Review by [Amy Lotsberg] Producer of Collected Sounds

I do not have a set list because we didn’t record the show this time and was too busy running around to keep a running tally. She didn’t prepare a set list, but rather played what she felt like it at the time so she doesn’t have one either.

This was a little different from other Sage shows we’ve had. For starters there weren’t that many attendees. It was Halloween party weekend so that’s not too surprising, with that kind of competition. But she’s been here before on that weekend and it was a smash hit! I don’t know. I do know that we had some newcomers to the scene and they were all mightily impressed, so I consider that a success.

Another difference is that this time Rachael brought her drummer Jagoda. It’s amazing how much difference in sound that makes. I mean, Rachael is fantastic on her own, but it’s really cool to hear yet another layer to her live music.

Also I couldn’t help noticing that Jagoda looks a lot like a young Bruce Willis.

The banter between them was hilarious. There was one song in which Jagoda ended a little early, so Rachael had to end too. She said, “I had a couple more verses to do, but that’s OK…” She was giving him a really hard time. Then later, she was playing a sad song but still being kind of silly. She wanted someone sad to look at so that she could feel the moment so she asked if anyone was miserable and Jagoda sheepishly raised his hand. Of course the room erupted in laughter “ruining” the poignant moment. But it was worth it.

There was a costume change after the first set. So to further punish Jagoda she had him wearing much of the costume she wore for set one. But with the addition of a red tutu.

It was a very silly evening with lots of laughter, sincerity and great music.

Personal note: At one point Rachael said that the feeling in the room was a little somber and she wanted to liven it up. She suggested that there might be some ghosts of previous divas here. My 19-year-old well loved cat Misha had passed away just the day before this show so I’d like to think it was she watching over us. She was a diva, that kitty.

PS, she’s wearing MY pink feather boa for the second set.

[Rachael Sage Official Site]

The post Concert: Rachael Sage and Jagoda first appeared on Collected Sounds.

Artist: Gregory Douglass

Date: October 1, 2006 8pm

Venue: Wilde Roast Café

City: Minneapolis, MN

Review by [Amy Lotsberg] Producer of Collected Sounds

Though it was strange to see Gregory play when it’s not in my living room, The Wilde Roast Café is a really nice place. It’s based on (can a café be based on something?) Oscar Wilde so as you may guess is a very gay friendly atmosphere. But that’s not to say us straighties feel out of place. Not at all. It’s very warm and welcoming. And the food is delish. You have to love a place that had its chocolate cake on the cover of Bon Appetit, right?

There weren’t a lot of people there when we arrived and when Gregory started to play many folks were not paying attention. But by his, oh, third song, everyone was watching or at least tapping toes and bobbing heads while typing away on their laptops. Then clapping appreciatively after each song.

There was one man who looked at first to be there doing work. He was very studiously typing away on his laptop and sipping coffee. I assumed he would be more annoyed than excited about there being live music that evening. But at one point I looked over at him and he was singing along!! I fan! Yay!

More people starting filing in (maybe not certain that he would have started on time?) and pretty soon the place was filled with fans. New and prior.

It seemed everyone was there to see Gregory whether they came in that way or not and all attention was on him. Well, except for the woman who kept making very loud, obnoxious googly noises at her kid though out the show, even the quiet parts. I swear some people do not know how to act in public. Some people’s kids…and I’m speaking of the mother. It was very distracting both to Gregory and to us. But he went on like the trooper he is.

It was a wonderful show and we got to hear some of the new songs. I got a copy of the new CD, which I love, and I’ve reviewed it here.

Gregory stayed with us while he was in town and I snapped a photo of him playing my lovely old piano.

Set list

1. Crazy Love (piano)
2. Upside Down (piano)
3. Sail the Sea (piano)
4. Alibis (piano)
5. Hard (piano)
6. Welcome Back (guitar)
7. Virginia (guitar)
8. Hush (guitar)
9. I Wanted to Run (guitar)
10. Wild World (piano)
11. Don’t Get Caught (piano)
12. The Line (piano)
13. Who Knows (piano)
14. (unknown?) (piano)
15. Dry (guitar)
16. “Encore”: Laura
17. Real Encore: Better Tomorrow

[Gregory Douglass Official Site]

The post Concert: Gregory Douglass in Minneapolis first appeared on Collected Sounds.

Artist: Vienna Teng

Date: September 17, 2006

Opening Act: Joshua Radin

Venue: Fine Line Music Cafe

City: Minneapolis, MN

Review by [Amy Lotsberg] Producer of Collected Sounds

Well, this was a great show. Firstly, I get to see Vienna again. But it was also nice to see and hear Joshua Radin whom I had never heard before. Apparently he’s the next big thing with songs in Zach Braff’s new film “Last Kiss” and song placements on TV shows like “Scrubs”. He deserves it. He’s great.

He has a lovely voice and demeanor. He had some musicians with him, a guitar player (whose name escapes me, sorry dude!) and a pianist/singer, Priscilla Ahn whose voice is as beautiful as she is. They put on a very nice show. A treat indeed.

Vienna was great as usual. She was joined by Marika Hughes on cello, and Dina Maccabee in violin. They’re a really tight group and sound fantastic together.

I heard some cover songs I’d not hear live (by her) before. Damien Rice’s Cannonball is one she’s been doing live for some time but I don’t believe I’d heard her version before. Priscilla Ahn joined her on vocals and they sounded lovely together.

1BR/1BA involved a nice little off-shoot into Dolly Parton’s “9 to 5”. Vienna said that the addition of that song was Marika and Deena’s idea and that up to then she’d not heard that song. After asking around, she felt that she was likely the only person on the planet that had not heard it. Well, she knows it now! She sounded great on it.

The Brian Webb cover I’d never heard, not even the original. But I liked it.

I was so happy to hear her play an Ellery song. Ellery is another band/duo that was signed to Virt Records after being discovered on Collected Sounds. On a personal note, Ellery will be playing at the Collected Sounds House Concert Series in February 2007.

Of course Vienna’s originals were fantastic. I was so please to hear “Unwritten Letter #1” as it’s one of my favorites, especially live. It just gives me chills.

Vienna is fabulous and always puts on a great show. Every time.

Set list

1. Enough to Go By
2. Whatever You Want
3. Blue Caravan
4. Shasta
5. Recessional
6. Unwritten Letter #1
7. Nothing Without You (solo)
8. Cannonball (Damien Rice cover with Priscilla Ahn)
9. That’s Where I’ll Be (Brian Webb cover)
10. Now Three
11. I Don’t Feel So Well
12. 1BR/1BA (medley with Dolly Parton’s “Nine to Five”)
13. Harbor
14. City Hall
(encore)
15. Arizona (Ellery cover–solo)
16. Homecoming

[Vienna Teng Official Site]

The post Concert: Vienna Teng in Minneapolis first appeared on Collected Sounds.

Artist: Charlotte Martin

Date: September 14, 2006

Opening Act: Joe Purdy

Venue: Varsity Theater

City: Minneapolis, MN

Review by [Amy Lotsberg] Producer of Collected Sounds

Joe Purdy opened up and he was wonderful. I am not usually blown away by just a guy and a guitar, but his voice was so soothing and his guitar playing was amazing. He said the airline lost his guitar (when will those damn airlines learn that we pay a LOT of effing money to use them and start treating people like customers instead of a nuisance?). Anyway, he called up Willie’s Guitars who invited him in, gave him dinner and hooked him up with a 1947 Gibson to play for the night. By the end of the night he was convinced he’d buy it. I hope he has a few grand laying around because I’m told they’re about $5,000. It was pretty and sounded great. But it had no strap so his arm was killing him. Good thing he had some Maker’s Mark on the rocks to help ease the pain.

A few notes: She accidentally skipped over the programming for what she was going to play after “A Hopeless Attempt” so she said she was going to switch it up a little. She played what I later learned was “Cardboard Ladders”. However, I’m confused because one web site shows this song to be on Stromata, but it’s not on my copy. Also before she played it she said she was going to play an “oldie but a goodie” but Stromata is her newest record. If anyone can clear this up for me I’d be much obliged.

think she also said that she had never played “Hopeless Attempt” live until now.

She said she considered “Habit” to be her new “Beautiful Life.

Set list

1. Little Universe
2. Civilized
3. Cut the Cord
4. Stromata
5. Chasing a Shadow
6. Limits of Our Love
7. A Hopeless Attempt (without drums)
8. Cardboard Ladders (without drums)
9. Habit (without drums)
10. Crimson Sky
11. The Dance
12. Veins
13. Redeemed
14. Four Walls

[Charlotte Martin Official Site]

The post Concert: Charlotte Martin in Minneapolis first appeared on Collected Sounds.