Graham Parker ~ 2009 October 2 ~ Bull Run Restaurant, Shirley, MA
Graham Parker solo, accompanying himself on Gibson acoustic, Fender electric, harmonica and kazoo
Setlist
with guitars GP played noted
(Gibson acoustic): Hard Side of the Rain - Ambiguous - Problem Child - Guillotines of Guadaloupe - On My Own on Belleayre Mountain (new song) - Life Gets Better - White Honey - Brand New Book - (Fender electric): Black Lincoln Continental - Love Gets You Twisted - Saturday Night is Dead - Passion is No Ordinary Word - Lady Doctor - Don't Let It Break You Down - Don't Ask Me Questions - (Gibson): New York Shuffle - High Horse ... encore ... (Fender): Last Stop is Nowhere - Get Started. Start a Fire - (Gibson, kazoo): Head on Straight (new song) - Heat Treatment
Review
Graham Parker played the Bull Run in Middle-of-Nowhere, Mass. (officially known as Shirley). I've come to like this venue since my first skeptical visit a few years ago, in which my impressions were dominated by its wedding reception ambiance. But there's a lot more to this place than white tablecloths and hanging curtains. They really know their music and treat the performers well. There's a good big stage (although it's only about six inches high). The soundman knows what he's doing and is enthusiastic with his introductions of the performers, as well as his "advertisement" for upcoming shows (which, to my huge delight, include Dave Davies of the Kinks on Feb. 12). The food is good and reasonably priced, and there is no food minimum, either.
Opening acts at other shows here have varied in quality (the best prior to last night was the excellent Eric Lilljequist who opened for GP at two earlier shows). Tonight's opener was a duo of identical twins, the West Brothers, who quipped that their less talented brother Kanye was not able to join them. One plays bass (with a lot of style), the other plays guitar and harmonica and sings. During their set a very young child wandered onto the stage, prompting them to call for a "bouncer" (I don't think this venue has bouncers, exactly). Their music was upbeat, but a lot of their lyrics dealt with either excessive drinking or death. Good music, somewhat grim lyrics, but overall I enjoyed their set.
It was going to be hard for a mere solo show to match the show last weekend in which GP was accompanied by Mike Gent and Professor Louie. But GP gave it a good shot by including some unexpected treats. He again performed the obscure "Problem Child" and the wonderfully romantic "Life Gets Better" ... although after "Life Gets Better" he said "no, it doesn't."
He played "Brand New Book," which I hadn't heard him do in quite a long time, and he stopped and repeated the line "I saw the Big Dipper ... and then the Big Bopper" (and claimed it was the best line he'd ever written). Another unexpected treat was "New York Shuffle," which could be a great singalong if GP prompted the audience. (GP used to encourage singing along as recently as two or three years ago ... but he hasn't in a show I've attended in a long time except for the obvious "Local Girls.")
He performed the new song "Head On Straight" as part of the encore set. With its boppy rhythm, happy feel, and kazoo solo this one is becoming a crowd favorite. He also debuted another new song, the title of which I am guessing to be "On My Own on Belleayre Mountain," a song not so much about skiing as about facing life's mountainous difficulties.
The musical highlights of the show for me were the back-to-back "High Horse" and "Last Stop is Nowhere," two songs from Deepcut to Nowhere that illustrate Geep's range as a performer and songwriter.
Geep's stage attire again included the fun beer bottle shirt. I think the venue was not quite sold out, but it was a fairly big crowd and very enthusiastic. My concert going partner and I sat with two folks who said they never seen GP and had only one Graham Parker CD. I told them they were in for a treat ... and predicted that they'd be going home with more CDs. After the show I caught a glimpse of them doing business at the merch table, and they walked out with a couple of new CDs, and smiles on their faces.
More Chairman
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