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6 More Pics & Reviews
Page 16 HAVE YOU SEEN THE MAP OF EZRA? HAVE YOU SEEN THE TTOY HALL OF FAME? MISSED EARLIER EDITIONS OF THE SERENADE? |
BTE TURNS IN A MEMORABLE My first impression of the "Bottle & Cork" in Dewey Beach, Delaware, was that if there had been a club on Gilligan’s island it would look like this. It’s half club/half beach shack and it’s a very fun venue.
BTE hit the stage and proceeded to work their way through a setlist that looked very much like that played at other recent shows. But for some reason, the guys seemed to thrive on the heat and added a new cover, some old chestnuts and some killer stage banter. The show kicked off to a fast start with the musical trio of "Recognize," "Misunderstood, and "Good" in short succession. After "Rolling," Kevin commented that they did not, as some fans thought, have a special air conditioning system on the stage, merely a couple of "rock fans" at their feet and that they too would be "sweating their b*lls off" with the rest of us. But, he did note that hot, sweaty and drenched with sweat isn’t always necessarily a bad thing.
As Jim began playing "Live Again," Kevin referred to him as "the man with the best attitude in what we call the ‘rock ‘n’ roll business.’" And he counted off the 1-2-3 before "Bass!" in German (ein, zwei, drei). Up to this moment, something about the sound was really starting to bug me. Was it sort of cutting out intermittently? Not all the sound, just some channels maybe. KGs guitar would go from soft to loud without him changing anything. It was weird and got very annoying until it stopped mid-show. When introducing "Special," Kev said the song was about the good things you take out of any (failed) relationship – how everyone has something "Special" that they share with you that the end of the relationship cannot diminish. "Extra Ordinary" followed and got the crowd singing along nicely. What a great song this turned out to be. I think even those fans that didn’t like it at first now get into hearing it and its impact on a crowd of nonbelievers... Next, Tom stepped up to the mic and told everyone that the DVD was going to be out in time for Christmas. During KONO, Kevin added Beck’s "Debra" and came front and center to serenade Ezralite Bolony who looked a little embarrassed, but was loving every second of it. After KONO, KG segued into a cover of Bruce Springsteen’s "Growin’ Up." I can’t ever remember them covering this Bruce song, can anyone else? At that moment, a concertgoer handed KG a red , white and blue baseball cap and, wearing it askew, KG shouted to the audience: "Look at me, I’m Ashton Kutcher!!" |
Next came a little Led Zeppelin medley that included "Over the Hills and Far Away" and one other tune (I forget). The guys then kicked into "Rosealia" which concluded with the traditional ending and Jim Payne singing up front. As Jim retreated to the rear with the music still playing, KG playfully blocked his way. Jim stole by him, and attempted a jump as the music ended and he reached his usual spot. As he came down, his flailing arms knocked his microphone off its stand and into the air. KG then proceeded to say how he always wanted to say (in a not too awful English accent): "Thank you eastern seaboard!" and he did so. Then he and Tom talked about writing a book about musicians’ life on the road that would include dos and don’ts. Tom said: "Yeah, like eating a double cheeseburger 10 minutes before you go on stage." KG then gave a shoutout to the Chester, MD Taco Bell and lamented the fact the town had no Starbucks and (consequently) they "really f*cked us over." Later KG, had a true Anglophile moment when he explained how if your
hotel room isn’t up too par, you are far better off complaining in an
English accent as the management invariably responds better when you
sound like that. He then proceeded to demonstrate his best English
accent during which Tom and I just looked at each other shaking our
heads in dismay.
Suddenly, KG began a falsetto about the "good people of Dewey m*ther-f*cking Beach" and then looked up at the rooftop sound booth to proclaim: "Damn, look at the light man, he’s got his shirt off!" The guys then launched into "At the Stars" and concluded with Jim Payne’s Widespread Panic/String Cheese Incident journey and "Friend of the Devil." The down front fans really did a double-take when KG did the opening riff and a verse or two of "Teenager." When did they last do this? Kevin said he only played it because Tom said they had to, but Tom seemed truly surprised to hear it. After, KG sang the opening to another Deluxe tune "Heaven." And finally, they the crowd were treated to a more or less full version of "Coyote." "A Lifetime" followed and after KG interjected that the Cyndi Lauper poster on the wall was weirding him out a little. Then came the surprise addition of "This time of Year" to the setlist. Guest guitarist Kevin (aka "Tom’s Younger Brother"). Came up and rocked the house in a very exuberant manner. He was shot out of a cannon and KG had to give him a quick lesson in band hand signs (a clenched fist means mute!). When KG "Set the scenario" he said that Kevin should picture themselves hanging out with some ladies in a Winnebago at the KoH campground watching "Taxicab confessions." Now, that’s a new variation on an old theme! After his moment, Kevin told KG that his buddy Brian was in the crowd and that he’d just got back from Iraq. At this mention, KG got the crowd to applaud the guy and gave an impromptu speech about how he and others sacrifice so much so we can lead a care-free existence. "Sincerely Me" and "Desperately Wanting" followed in quick succession as the guys seemed to finally realize how long they had been on stage. As they exited the stage, Tom handed his bass to "Uncle" Mike who just looked at him and mouthed "Wow!" as if to acknowledge what a truly great show this was. The crowd hooted and hollered for several minutes and then the guys raced back out to conclude quickly with "Daylight" without the formal sing-a-long part and the always rocking "In the Blood." KG introduced "Daylight" as follows: "It was a dark and stormy night, with waves crashing on the beach, and in the tavern young Jack Hawkins sat drinking a pint of ale..." I guess this was a "Treasure Island" reference of sorts and he then explained to the crowd that the tambourine sound effects on "Daylight" was really done by Travis’ Great Grandfather "Pappy McNabb" who was lying in a hospital gurney offstage. Finally, the guys brought down the house with a rocking finale of "In the Blood" complete with "Don’t Fear the Reaper." And I must confess, after such a great night, I went "la-la-la" all the way home... |
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