| Author | Message | ||
     Michael Unregistered guest |
Who is going to the Great American Music Hall show? I'm flying up because it seems its the only show we're getting outside NYC. Should be amazing! | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 1721 Registered: 03-2005 |
I'm going. | ||
| Jeff Whiteaker Member Username: Jeff_whiteaker Post Number: 1357 Registered: 10-2004 |
I'll be there, of course. | ||
| Matthias Member Username: Matthias Post Number: 264 Registered: 05-2005 |
Is there going to be a live cd/dvd of this tour? For us mid-westerners, a weeknight show on the coasts is less than convenient. Let the DR's roll for your countrymen... | ||
| Jeff Whiteaker Member Username: Jeff_whiteaker Post Number: 1363 Registered: 10-2004 |
Given that this is apparently Forster's sole North American appearance west of the Mississippi, I'm wondering if there will be a lot of out-of-towners attending. | ||
| Matthias Member Username: Matthias Post Number: 265 Registered: 05-2005 |
I wish I could be going. I'm sure it will be sold out if at all advertised. I'll be there in spirit. I was listening to his collected works today on the way into work. I must say it is very special to me and he is one of the few artists that I find myself going back to at various phases of my life and finding more depth each time. RF has a way with writing and more with how he conveys his words and music. The choice to go back to Mark Wallis with Adele and Glenn was a fortunate one for them and us. This record combines so many aspects of life from loss through celebration. I would love to have been on hand for the recording sessions and hope that some smart journalist or television show goes back and documents it. Padraig, I'm naming names. We need a journalist to ask the behind the scenes story to each member of the band including Mr. Wallis about the making of the Evangelist - from demos to pressing. Inquiring minds want to know how the songs were born, where were they written, who was involved, who suggested which instrument, which la-la-la, etc. It's so organic and personal that it changes my whole mood every tme I hear regardless of where I am or what I was feeling. Sigh. I've read the press so I have a rough sketch but I want more. I want to be there or at least pretend. To not see it live is a crime I am pre-destined to commit. | ||
| Jeff Whiteaker Member Username: Jeff_whiteaker Post Number: 1364 Registered: 10-2004 |
Matthias, since you mentioned that, I've been hoping (perhaps in vain?) for a third and final edition of David Nichols' Go-Betweens biography. Something that would take us through OA, McLennan's passing, and the Evangelist. The 2nd edition was a notable improvement with necessary updates, but with hindsight, it ends the saga at such a strange place, given all of the events that have since unfolded. Wondering if this is something he's considered, or if the lashing he received by a few people on this board a while back made him abandon any notion of it. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 2298 Registered: 05-2005 |
I'd love to do it Matthias. One day, you never know. | ||
| E Weidermeier Member Username: Eweidermeier Post Number: 6 Registered: 05-2006 |
OK, for those of us going to the show, where would be a good place for a pre-show meet up (or at least a pre show drink if we arrive early)? | ||
| Michael Unregistered guest |
Does anyone know the venue's rules towards cameras? I think I remember getting some video of a Church concert there. I can't be there for a meet-up, I'm flying in from the south right before the show. Does anyone know for sure Adele and Glenn will be there. (I'm assuming they'll be there, I just haven't seen it confirmed) | ||
| Stuart Wilson Member Username: Stuart Post Number: 227 Registered: 10-2006 |
Robert Forster will be joined by Adele Pickvance, Glenn Thompson and Matthew Harrison at all shows. (sez his website) | ||
| Jeff Whiteaker Member Username: Jeff_whiteaker Post Number: 1372 Registered: 10-2004 |
Wow. Last night's show was glorious. FIrst of all, I got to meet Randy in the flesh for the first time, and I'm hugely indebted to him for letting us share his reserved front and center table with him and his friend. It was really cool to glance over and see Randy getting totally excited over the same things as me. One of the first things Randy mentioned was how "Spring Hill Fair" the Great American Music Hall looks, what with its cool old, baroque style interior, which definitely made it all the more appropriate. I can remember all or most of the songs that were played, but for the life of me, I cannot recall the exact order of the set list, so I really shouldn't attempt to reconstruct it. I wish I'd taken notes; this review sorely lacks the intricate level detail of Padraig's, so I'm hoping Randy and others can fill in the gaps left out by my sad excuse for a memory. The "program," (as Robert referred to it at the start of the show, telling us it would be "a long program tonight,") started like the other shows, with Robert playing a few songs - "Something For Myself" and "Love is a Sign" among them - solo acoustic. Adele joined him for a few numbers, including "If it Rains" and "Girl Lying on a Beach," after which the immaculately dapper Glen came onstage for a lovely version of "Dive for Your Memory." (When Glen walked onstage, somebody in the crowd let out a "yelp," to which Robert responded, "It's a good-looking band.") The drummer eventually got on stage for a moving rendition of "Demon Days" and I *think* "I'm Alright" was next. They broke for an intermission and came back for the main body of the set, which started off with "Too Much of One Thing" and "Clouds," with Glen moving onto electric guitar for the latter. "Head Full of Steam" went over particularly well, with the crowd bursting uncontrollably into enthusiastic applause at the first few strums (the audience did this with Spring Rain and Darlinghurst Nights, too, both of which went over awesomely). It was cool to see Robert loosen up and assume his rock 'n roll showman persona over the course of the rest of the show. They closed the 2nd and final encore with a cover of a Beau Brummels song (can't remember the title, Randy will know...), which of course had Randy totally elated given his love of that band (Randy actually turned me onto Beau Brummels about 2 years ago). Randy said it was apparent Robert wasn't remembering all the words, and Robert even apologized beforehand, saying he wasn't sure how well they'd get through it, but they played it with all the appropriately jagged spirit of an adoring garage band. Other cool things worth noting: During an unusually rocking and hilariously amusing version of "German Farmhouse," one of the stage lights suspended way up in the air above where Adele was standing, popped and shattered. I think a fuse was blown as it apparently fried Adele's bass amp, too (and I should mention the shards of glass narrowly missed Adele when they fell to the ground). The band stopped abruptly, Robert quickly surveyed the damage and said, "That's rock 'n roll!" Adele had to d/i her bass through the PA for the rest of the set, which wasn't a problem, and the band picked up the song where they left off (during the solo) and finished it like nothing had happened. I do have to say, Robert was in absolute top form, especially on German Farmhouse, with the eccentric/ironic rock-star Robert we all know and love in full effect. I'm usually not too big a fan of that song, but Robert at this point (having fully loosened up) was possibly the most animated I'd seen him. I loved the way he scrunched up his face and pointed his finger out with feverish intensity while singing the "there was a rumor, Pavoratti would sing there..." line. The consummate showman. Also, I was absolutely *loving* Glen's guitar playing. He played a perfectly bright and chimey Fender Telecaster, and at times really seemed to be channeling Grant circa the 80s with those gorgeous, ringing melodic leads. It filled out the sound wonderfully, really fleshing out the melodic element of the songs. I think Glen's move to guitar is an absolutely genius idea, and something I hope they continue in the future. And as for the drummer, I know a few people mentioned he looked young, but holy crap, this kid looks about 13! I'm dead serious, he looks like he's not even shaving yet. Where did they find this kid? Regardless, his drumming was pretty much flawless and he fit in perfectly. He had a bit of a light touch, but was able to rock out enough for "Here Comes a City," "121," etc... I'm also happy that Robert elected not to stretch "Surfing Magazines" and "Draining the Pool For You" out to epic marathon lengths this time. Short and to the point. (And "Draining" featured some particularly killer melodic lead fret work by Glen). I should've taken notes, as, like I mentioned above, I'm not remembering the exact order of the songs. I hope someone can correct or fill in the gaps, because I know this isn't accurate, but here's my pathetic attempt at a list of the songs played in extremely rough order: Something For Myself Love is a Sign From Ghost Town If it Rains Girl Lying on a Beach Dive for your Memory Demon Days He Lives My Life (really can't remember exact placement of this song in the set) I’m Alright Too Much of One Thing Clouds Born to a Family Draining the Pool For You Head Full of Steam Pandanus Surfing Magazines Darlinghurst Nights German Farmhouse Did She Overtake You Spring Rain Here Comes a City I Can Do Heart to Tender 121 Beau Brummels Cover I feel like I'm leaving something out... and I know I've got some of the encore songs mixed up... | ||
| Ewan Talisker McEwan Member Username: Ewan_mcewan Post Number: 367 Registered: 02-2008 |
Sounds great, very great, but no "Quiet Heart"? Could that be a memory gap? | ||
| Jeff Whiteaker Member Username: Jeff_whiteaker Post Number: 1373 Registered: 10-2004 |
Nope - no Quiet Heart, sadly. Both Randy and I were really hoping for that. I would've been happy with Boundary Rider, too (which was played at one of the 4 ages shows last summer in Brisbane), but no Grant songs last night. | ||
| Ewan Talisker McEwan Member Username: Ewan_mcewan Post Number: 368 Registered: 02-2008 |
Huh. Given the generous and wide-ranging set list, though, who could complain? Just as well, you and Monsieur Adams might've found it hard to keep the waterworks at bay if he'd played it... | ||
| Jeff Whiteaker Member Username: Jeff_whiteaker Post Number: 1374 Registered: 10-2004 |
No doubt - I'm just grateful he came to SF at all! And yeah, surely the whole room would've been choked up at hearing any Grant number. | ||
| BJ Unregistered guest |
I, too, was really thrilled by the Beau Brummels cover ("Don't Talk To Strangers") -- a really wonderful way to end an excellent, excellent show. | ||
| E Weidermeier Member Username: Eweidermeier Post Number: 7 Registered: 05-2006 |
I can add a bit to the previous posts, such as the full set list – see below. Comments: - Am I really hearing “Girl Lying on a Beach” WOW! I can’t believe it! - Moving from “Demon Days” to “I’m Alright” was absolutely brilliant, and the spine tingling moment of the night for me. It is almost that “I’m Alright” placed after “Demon Days’ is a response to such a sad, sad song. The way Robert sang it and the band played it, I got the sense it was Robert letting people know that, well, he really is alright and is going to continue on. It was a perfect end to the first set, and positioned the second set as a celebration. - Robert nearly growled some of the lyrics, particularly when he sang “At night.” Magic! I think by playing Quiet Heart during the second set it would have not have been right. I think the perfect place to play that song is the last song of the night. - “Clouds” played by the full band, as others have said, make the song a completely different beast than it has been for the past 10 years. The band made that song stand out. It was simply FANTASTIC. - We didn’t get keyboards at this show, like in Australia. Perhaps that accounts for some of the changes in song selection? - Frankly, I would have liked “121” and “Draining the Pool” to be logner during Robert’s “solo” (hired/tired, etc.) Robert’s Comments: - Prior to the first song- Robert “It is going to be a long program tonight.” He stops playing “Something for myself” after trouble with the mic stand. He says “Do we have a screwdriver.” He fixes the mic stand. Then says “It is going to be a long program tonight” (much laughter). - After “the Evangelist” – “We do play some up tempo numbers later in the set” (much laughter) - “Born to a Family” – Was dedicated to Janis Ian, who the band met that day and is “a nice person.” - Glenn: “Robert got a new tuner and has the box it came in” (in case he needed to read the directions during the show) - German Farmhouse was introduced “This song is about what happened at the beginning of 1990.” - After light burst near Adele” Robert: “Adele is still alive. Lets take it from the solo.” - Darlinghurst Nights – Robert “This is set in Sydney 1983.” Great American Music Hall San Francisco, CA September 10, 2008 Robert acoustic Something For Myself Girl Lying on a Beach Love Is A Sign From Ghost Town First band set If It Rains The Evangelist Dive for Your Memory Demon Days I’m Allright Second band set Too Much Of One Thing Clouds Born To A Family Head Full Of Steam Pandanus Surfing Magazines Draining the Pool German Farmhouse Darlinghurst Nights Did She Overtake You? Spring Rain Here Comes A City First encore He Lives My Life Heart Out To Tender Second encore I Can Do 121 Third encore Don't Talk To Strangers (Beau Brummels cover) | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 1732 Registered: 03-2005 |
OK, I'm fresh back in LA. Jeff, didn't he do "The Evangelist?" I thought he did but suddenly I'm not so sure. I did hope to see him do "Quiet Heart." But his super urbane choice of "Don't Talk to Strangers" was a top-class gesture to the city in which he was playing. He could have selected something from someone obvious but instead he selected something from the often-overlooked SF band that is probably the most consonant with the whole Go Betweens ethos. It had to have been very much on the fly because Robert really faked his way through the words quite entertainingly. (I literally grew up with that song). It's an easy song to play and everybody did a great job with it. I remember that he introduced "Born to a Family" with the news that Janis Ian was staying at the same hotel as he. Somebody shouted out a request for "Society's Child"--great choice!--and thankfully it wasn't me being the audience smart-ass. Actually the crowd was so well-behaved and we were seated so impossibly close that I didn't have the nerve to make a peep other than to clap loudly at the end of each of the songs. Another little detail I remember: after the solo portion and after Matthew Harrison had joined everyone else on stage, Robert promised us that he wasn't going to spend the whole night doing slow songs. Then the band counted in at a faster tempo and then, suddenly "Demon Days" started at its normal slow tempo. It got a good laugh. Like everything, it was wonderfully well done. The light popping at the end of the instrumental break to "German Farmhouse" was great theatre! It fit into the song perfectly and I wish it had been possible for them to continue without a pause but the death of Adele's amp was not a problem to ignore. "121" has long been a great favorite of mine and it got a fine performance here. I got myself in trouble reporting on equipment at the "Four Ages" shows but this time things were fairly simple. Robert played an acoustic Guild and a Stratocaster plugged into a fancy-looking Epiphone amp. He opted for more of the Creedence chooglin' guitar sound on a lot of the songs, even including "German Farmhouse" (which, in fact, really improved that song to my mind). As Jeff reported, Glenn played a Tele for his electric work. I forgot to make a note of what he played for the acoustic. I think Adele was playing an Ibanez but that I'm not so sure of. Matthew has settled in very well with the others. I was quite impressed by his light touch on "Demon Days." It was fantastic to meet Jeff and Lisa and we had a great time afterward at a local watering hole--where we all sensibly decided to literally drink water! After all, they had to work the next day and I had shown up at the show at little (ahem!) short of sober and then my dining companion and I polished off two bottles of wine during the show. The table was fantastically right there in front of Robert's mike. I felt like I was a record company flak or something. San Francisco is definitely a very different place than Los Angeles because it was no big deal at all to the waitress to add two chairs to our little table and move Jeff and Lisa there. In LA that type of move would have elicited all sorts of angry protests from neighboring tables and/or a solemn account by the waitress of all the reasons it was impossible. I wish I'd looked back to see how big the crowd was. The Great American Music Hall is a lovely space and the sound is very satisfactory. As Jeff reported, the interior is so Beaux Arts ornate--especially the balcony ringing the room--that it conjured up the cover to "Spring Hill Fair." I wish the show could have gone on for at least another hour but it was a good generous show. The folks in New York will be very pleased. And the Warhol/Velvets shows will be quite something. I wish I could see one of them. | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 1733 Registered: 03-2005 |
Ah, E Weidermeier answers the question about "The Evangelist" and has a comprehensive set list! Perfect. | ||
| frank bascombe Member Username: Frankb Post Number: 357 Registered: 01-2007 |
Getting very excited now for the UK dates Manchester and Lancaster for me | ||
| Nora Hollywood Unregistered guest |
The crowd was disappointingly small. About 150, I would say. The acoustic-followed-by-band-joining-in format slowed down the set somewhat, even without the break and interruptions. Robert sounds much, much better with a band. This and 'Girl Lying on a Beach' being a weak song made me nervous, but the show as a whole was so full of beautiful songs I didn't dwell on that. I don't think the show had quite the magic of the Bottom of the Hill show in 1996, and I think the fact that everyone was seated contributed to that. But it was very generous, got better as it went along, and could have gone on another hour. Where did you folks go for a drink afterward? Where did Robert go? We went by the Phoenix but they seemed to be having a party at their bar. | ||
| Jeff Whiteaker Member Username: Jeff_whiteaker Post Number: 1376 Registered: 10-2004 |
Nora, you were at the Bottom of the Hill show in '96, too? How cool! That *was* an amazing show, albeit *very* different, obviously. Part of what made the BoTH hill show so special for me at the time was that back then, long before this msg. board, I didn't know *anyone* who knew, much less liked Robert or the Go-Betweens. And hearing about that show literally only at the last minute, and then going there to find a nice, enthusiastic crowd, made it a truly special event. And I think the smallness of BoTH really added to the intimacy and energy of the show. Robert, Adele, and Glen were in top form that night, too. But Wednesday's show still had that "magic," for me, at least. Frankly, it's probably the best I've seen Robert since he and Grant did the acoustic duo thing at the same venue back in 1999. After the show we went over to Edinburgh Castle, the only place I knew of that was close by, easy to get to. Blaring music made it a challenge to hear each other talking, but we nonetheless managed and had a fun time gabbing with Randy and his friend Michael about music and LA. As for the size of the crowd, I wish I could've stood up and surveyed what was behind me, as I really have no idea how many people were there. It was an early show, and I didn't the sense that the place was packed or anything. E Weidermeier - thanks for the set list. I *knew* I was leaving something out and had misplaced a few songs. I don't know why I can't remember him playing "The Evangelist"! But I have to agree with you, hearing "Clouds" with the full band was truly amazing, and to me, more pleasing than the acoustic renditions we've been hearing on previous tours. But I'm always biased toward the full band treatment over the solo acoustic thing anyhow. Randy - Glenn's acoustic appeared to be a Martin. And I want Robert's acoustic Guild badly. Anyone who has played an acoustic Guild would know why. Another observation/opinion - Robert was singing particularly well. He seemed to be getting a bit tired near the end, but his voice sounded quite good overall. Sure, he's sometimes a wee bit off when harmonizing with Adele (Robert's never quite had super perfect pitch), but he really did sound particularly 'on' at this show, I thought. And one last note - I really liked the way "Here Comes a City" was played. Robert's choppy guitar playing really brought out the Talking Heads-ness of the song, which to me was pretty cool. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 2322 Registered: 05-2005 |
Thanks for the wonderful reviews Jeff, Randy and EW. You really brought the night to life. | ||
| Catherine Vaughan Member Username: Catherine Post Number: 480 Registered: 05-2005 |
Great reviews, Randy, Jeff & E. Being able to triangulate them all gives me a really good idea of how the show was. | ||
| BJ Unregistered guest |
I'm going out on a limb and exposing my music nerdiness by suggesting that Glenn's acoustic looked like a Taylor to me. I was really impressed with his playing overall, and sometimes it's nice to be reminded how great a Roland Jazz Chorus amp can sound with the right player! Great sounding band all around, and the GAMH is at its best with quieter, more songwriter-y bands. | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 1736 Registered: 03-2005 |
You're jogging my memory, BJ. I remember seeing the Roland and wondering whether i was hearing a chorus effect or instead a delay reverb. Music nerdiness is always welcome here. | ||
| Andrew Kerr Member Username: Andrew_k Post Number: 354 Registered: 04-2005 |
Blog from Adele here http://steephills.blogspot.com/ | ||
| Andreas Severins Member Username: Andreas_severins Post Number: 23 Registered: 11-2007 |
Andrew, how did you find this one??? very interesting, thanx! | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 1738 Registered: 03-2005 |
This is really great! Thanks Andrew. | ||
| Jeff Whiteaker Member Username: Jeff_whiteaker Post Number: 1384 Registered: 10-2004 |
You know, regarding the stage light blowing up mid-song during German Farmhouse at this how, it just occurred to me that the last time the Go-Betweens played SF - in 2005 - a fist-fight broke out in the middle of German Farmhouse, prompting the band to stop the song, sort out the problem, and finish out the song from where they stopped. What are the odds that some violent and/or destructive bit of "theater" would interrupt the same song in the same town twice? My only theory is that German Farmhouse is *so* rock 'n roll, so teeming with fist-pumping, chest-baring, sneering swagger, that its mere vibe is just too much for San Francisco to handle. Maybe? | ||
| Michael Member Username: Michael Post Number: 23 Registered: 08-2004 |
What a great show - what I think about RF is that he is so dedicated to providing the entertainment for himself and the crowd. I happened to be in SF for the gig and my girl and I absolutely loved the show- early on I thought RFs guitar sounded a bit raw but with the band everything clicked so well. Never thought GF was a good song but it was tonight. I was hoping for a GM tribute song but I realise that is not my decision - still love the RF songs from the GBs. The greatest Brisbane band. |