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IN THIS ISSUE: Dude, Where's My Hobbit? & Philly Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 And The Message Board Says... Page 4 Dambuilders/Noho The Reviews News & Links TTOY Hall of Fame Archives
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WE ALL WENT DOWN TO The boys from Better than Ezra were welcomed back to Boston with a sold out show on Friday, March 5th, after a two year absence from the city.
While they probably could have easily filled the Avalon, the intimacy and size of the Paradise (not to mention the nostalgia factor since I first saw BTE at the Paradise!) seemed to add to the excitement and energy of the show. And as those of you that were there or who have heard the recording of the show can attest, the evening was definitely full of both excitement and energy.
The crowd went wild when the band immediately launched into "Particle," a song missing from set lists for a long, long time. As he started into "Misunderstood," KG warmly welcomed New England to "[their] living room," and followed the song with "Good," you know, that "new one" the band has been playing for about ten years now. I’m not sure if KG was trying to bring the rodeo to town or not, but early in the set, he appeared to attempt to lasso some of the front row audience members with his microphone cord. Anyway, the guys proceeded to fly right into "Allison Foley." As the song ended, KG admitted that it had been far too long since the band’s last appearance in Boston.
KG then introduced the song "Special" as "[their] next f*cking juggernaut" and informed the audience that it was lucky to be seeing them that night as they would be spending the next couple of years in Asia or Micronesia to promote the song. While introducing "Normal Town," Tom Drummond once again repeated the old tall tale about the band living on Commonwealth Avenue, around Kenmore Square. KG quickly destroyed this myth, finally admitting that the band actually lived in Somerville because they couldn’t afford the rents in Kenmore Square. C’mon guys, it’s cool to live in Somerville now! The audience was then teased with information about the upcoming DVD, being informed that we will all be able to directly click on the "BTE Gone Wild" segment, and it wouldn’t be an "Easter Egg" as previously suggested. The ladies’ favorite, "Get You In" then preceded "Extra Ordinary." Of late, BTE has been covering "There is a Light That Never Goes Out" by the Smiths, which was the next song, and their rendition seems to be receiving a warm response.
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Not being a "Lord of The Rings" fan, I won’t attempt to comment on the band repartee about partying with a hobbit at Mardi Gras and I also shan’t reveal who, in the audience, was told that "everyday is Mardi Gras for [her]." The boys then mixed-up "King of New Orleans" with a little of Beck’s "Debra" and added some of Biz Markie’s "Just a Friend" for good measure. Also proving that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, the band began "Rosealia" with some Led Zeppelin riffs and ended with James Arthur Payne stepping up to bat to sing the last lines.
"In a Little While," played next, is quickly becoming a personal favorite of mine. Let’s hope it’s on the next album! Hopes of seeing Travis come front and center to kick it "electric boogaloo style" on the "slipperiest stage in America" were dashed to pieces as the guys flew straight into "Simple Song." The magic fingers of Jim Payne began "Live Again." Does anybody else notice how BTE shows seem to build in frenzy as they progress towards the end? It’s rather like watching the 4th of July fireworks on the Esplanade! Not every band’s show is like that. Anyway, I digress . . . (hopefully Editor English Dave’s finger doesn’t digress too much with the "delete" key!). The show continued to build in energy as the band followed "Live Again" with "A Lifetime" and "Sincerely, Me." After two failed attempts (during the two KG air kicks in "King of New Orleans") at getting a "KG kicks the air" picture, I finally succeeded during "Desperately Wanting" (see page 1). I love that picture, and no, I do not have a foot fetish (excellent sneaker treads, though)! And who can listen to the studio version of that song (after being at a live show) without picturing Travis tossing those maracas over his head?? KG also gave the crowd its money’s worth as he shared the Mariah Carey singing techniques.
Departing the stage to great applause, the band soon blasted out for an encore, starting with Jim Payne singing George Thorogood’s "Bad to the Bone." A little of Depeche Mode’s "Personal Jesus" was also gracefully tossed into "Recognize." Of course, no discussion of this Boston show would be complete without a mention that the gig was, in fact, Ezralite Stacy’s 100th show! The guys invited her up onstage to take a bow; but she was reluctant to go. KG ultimately got her to accept their offer by threatening her with it possibly being her last show if she didn’t! Stacy bravely made a brief stage appearance before the band started playing "Daylight" (yet another tune I hope will appear on the next album). The band once again acknowledged their early beginnings in the Boston area (thanking the audience for selling out the show three weeks prior), and noting some past and present local clubs they had played while living up North, including the Rat, Club 3, the Channel, and TT the Bear’s. "At the Stars" and "In the Blood" very nicely ended the much-anticipated return of Better than Ezra to Boston. Please do not stay away for another two years! Thank you so much for an outstanding first review, Erin. Great pics too! |
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