Graham Parker and the Latest Clowns ~ 2007 April 23 ~ Iron Horse Music Hall, Northampton, MA
Band Personnel: Graham Parker (lead vocals, Gibson acoustic guitar, Fender electric guitar, harmonica); Mike Gent (drums, guitar, backing vocals); Brett Rosenberg (guitar, backing vocals); Ed Valauskas (bass, backing vocals); Scott Janovitz (keyboards, backing vocals)
Set List (with guitars noted)
[Gibson acoustic]: I Discovered America - Hard Side of the Rain - [Fender electric]: England's Latest Clown - Get Started. Start a Fire - You Can't Take Love for Granted - Cupid (a cappella) - [Gibson acoustic]: They Murdered the Clown - Suspension Bridge - Other Side of the Reservoir - [Fender electric]: Weeping Statues - Durban Poison - Break Them Down - White Honey (with Mike on guitar) - You Can't Be Too Strong (with Ed/Scott) - [Gibson acoustic]: Waiting for the UFOs - [Fender electric]: Nobody Hurts You - Syphilis & Religion ... encore ... [Gibson acoustic]: All Being Well (with Brett) - [Fender electric]: Wake Up (Next To You) ... second encore ... [Gibson acoustic]: Bullet of Redemption - Local Girls
GP also played harmonica on "I Discovered America" and "Syphilis and Religion"
Review
While waiting outside for the doors to open, Concert Going Partner and I were glad we had dressed for summer since the temperature was in the 80s. The line started to stretch down the block, we heard "Bullet of Redemption" being practiced inside, and at just 5:30 we went in and took a table. Infamous Capgirl arrived and joined us. We ordered from their pretty good pub food menu and watched the crowd file in -- a mighty fine crowd for a Monday night.
The opening act was Eilen Jewell. She is a singer with an acoustic guitar; the four-piece band featured a stand-up bass played by a Gil Favor lookalike who seemed to be thoroughly enjoying himself. They played a half-hour set of alt-country tunes that had the audience stomping and cheering. Good sign, I thought, when the warmup band (even as good as they were) gets such an enthusiastic reception.
GP and the Clowns came on soon and started with the same series of songs as the night before. Scott on keyboards seemed a little more relaxed than the previous night. Brett also seemed more into it than the previous night, judging from his body language. Mike's drumming was just as energetic but no drumsticks went flying this time. This time Mike's bossy side wanted a Jameson on the rocks, which GP quipped he wasn't paying the band enough to buy. GP's irreverence was showing as he commented that the people he saw on the streets in Northampton were mostly "lesbian ladies and beggars" and claimed that most of his songs have lyrics about "clowns and monkeys."
The sound was very good. GP and the Clowns don't turn the volume up quite as shatteringly loud as some rock bands. I could really hear all the music, including all the backing vocals from Mike, Brett and Ed. The Iron Horse really is one of the best venues. Except that, like the Narrows, it is a sitting venue; rock 'n' roll is a standing sort of a thing; it was brutal having to sit for this rockin' a show. And the stage there is high enough that they could remove the tables and make it a standing venue. (I know, I know, they make their money on the food and drink, I understand this, I'm just talking as an audience member.)
Brett Rosenberg is an excellent guitarist in this band. He knows when to play the riff note for note, like in some of the older material ("Nobody Hurts You") and how to add in new, exciting flourishes to the newer material. He doesn't overplay; he looks the part; and he sings well, too. The other musicians are equally good at what they do. Ed Valauskas with his teal-colored bass, the personable Scott Janovitz (with a V) on keyboards, and of course Mike Gent, whose contribution to Graham's recent career has been enormous. His voice is perfect for singing with Graham, pitched just enough higher than Graham's for good harmonies, and showing an exceptional degree of enthusiasm for the music. Such enthusiasm adds a lot to a rock show. Presentation matters.
GP wore his blue striped shirt with the sleeves rolled up and unbuttoned halfway, gray (burning) trousers, and a pair of new black Nike running shoes. Same clothes both nights. At the Narrows he wore dark sunglasses and at the Iron Horse light sunglasses.
After about five songs GP called out to the soundman that he wasn't getting anything out of his monitors. The soundman brought up a new monitor, and GP broke out into a spontaneous rendition of "Cupid" (a capella) to give the soundman time to fix the problem. An unexpected treat! Right after "UFOs" somebody in the audience yelled out "Nobody Hurts You" which just happened to be the next song they were going to play. GP and Mike hammed it up, acting as if they were surprised but that they would be happy to fill the guy's request. There was another guy sitting behind me who was enthusiastic but had no clue as to when to sing; he enjoyed filling in the chorus to "UFOs" and one other song (might have been "Local Girls") in a completely wrong place, which had Graham grinning with amusement.
The encore was the great pairing of "All Being Well" and "Wake Up (Next To You)." The band left the back of the stage where there is some space behind a curtain. As they were leaving, Mike gestured to the crowd to keep cheering ... so of course we cheered and stomped and yelled Geep! Geep! until the boys returned. The second encore songs were the fabulous "Bullet of Redemption" and the always-crowd-pleasing "Local Girls."
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