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IN THIS ISSUE:
Mardi Gras! Who's That Girl? Fan Profile News & Links Map of Ezra TTPY Hall of Fame Archives
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BATON ROUGE PART DEUX One night down and we were back for more. Ingram Hill opened for the guys again. While I enjoyed the band the first night, Saturday night cemented my love for "Hottie" Justin and the rest of the boys. Justin seemed a little more comfortable with the Varsity crowd on Saturday. He even shared with us that he was mistaken for KG earlier that night. A guy had asked Justin if he was with the band and he said yes, the guy replied: "I love ‘This Time of Year.’" Justin encouraged us all to get the band’s CD and some of the Ingram Hill "hot pants."
The guys continued playing a ten song set. At some point, Justin suggested that everyone "...shake our asses a little bit." However, the climax of their set was to yet to come as Ingram Hill ended their set with Elvis Presley’s "Suspicious Minds" complete with pelvic thrusts from Justin. After a brief pause, Better than Ezra took the stage and immediately warmed up the crowd with "Misunderstood." KG sported a brand new t-shirt that I hadn’t previously seen and James Arthur Payne was supporting the Tigers by wearing an LSU armband. From "Misunderstood," the guys moved right on into "Good" and "Allison Foley." Kevin then enthusiastically greeted the crowd and promised that the show should be a good one because, according to sound man Brian, "We always play our best shows when we have a hangover." The guys then thrilled the crowd with "Rolling" and "R3wind." During "R3wind," KG mixed in a couple of other songs and even gave a nod to Kelis’ "Milkshake." After the song, Kevin shared that Jim Payne often sings his own version of "Milkshake" and refers to the song as "Butt Crack." Unfortunately Jim didn’t play the song, but Kevin assured us that it was best to leave it up to the imagination. Instead of dedicating the following song "Get You In" to "the ladies," as we’ve become used to KG doing, this night he dedicated the song to Tom Drummond. I’m thinking Kevin still isn’t really over Tom "turning him on" at the Christmas shows. "Extra Ordinary" came next. This was the first of many times that Kevin messed up the lyrics that night. The guys concluded the song with a little bit of Outkast’s "Hey Ya" complete with some fabulous spirit fingers from James Arthur Payne. KG then informed us all that he was ready to rock again. With that announcement came "King of New Orleans." I was still on a high from having "Debra" sung to me during the previous night’s breakdown, so I was surprised, but not so disappointed that the breakdown was not included in the Saturday night rendition of the song. After this "breakdown-less" version of "KONO" came "Rosealia." Jim Payne came forward to treat us with his trademark ending, but rather than sharing Tom’s, Jim made his way to Kevin’s mic instead. When the two had finished the song, Kevin turned to Jim and informed him – and the crowd – that they just experienced a "Rolling Stones moment."
A group of young ladies celebrating a bachelorette party were at the show. A some point, a veil was thrown onto the stage. Kevin eyed it, picked it up, and informed the lucky lady that while she may think she is getting married, she had to wait to see what Jim Payne had to say about it first. The set continued with "Happy Day Mama" complete with the cover of "The Lion Sleeps Tonight." Kevin shared with the audience that he realized only after "Happy Day" came out did he realize that the two songs could be sung together. BTE fans have eagerly welcomed back this song after an extended hiatus from setlists. Continuing on, the band then launched into "A Lifetime." Another slight slip of the tongue had KG talking about "playing that tape that you’d given me." After this song, the stage banter turned to the upcoming Ezra Open. |
Tom shared that one of the pluses in coming to the tournament was watching Travis play golf. While most of the female audience members were contemplating Travis playing golf, the guys started playing "At the Stars." Towards the end of the song, KG asked that the lights be brought down low and cautioned those in the audience prone to dizzy spells as James Arthur Payne was "going to take us all on a special trip." As this segment ended, Kevin then asked "Are you feeling it beautiful people?" He then tried to play a little of a Damien Rice song, but the crowd failed the recognize the tune.
Not to leave the night without any breakdown at all, KG added one to "This Time of Year" when he talked about the band’s ever popular "Dave Matthews Drinking Game." Mr. Griffin encouraged the audience to all try it sometime. He then explained the rules and regulations for "TTOY." According to KG, because LSU are National Champions: "if you get up on this f*ing stage, you better rock f*ing ass." Scott then stepped up to the plate. KG informed Scott that he had a Justin Timberlake look about him. Kevin proceeded to impress the crowd with his grammar skills with the proper use of the "crowd and I." He said that he knew he got the reference right because he "took remedial English at LSU and that shit was hard!" The moment concluded with the crowd eagerly chanting Scott’s name.
The pre-encore part of the setlist came to a close with the rocking tunes "Sincerely, Me" and "In the Blood." The guys soon emerged and started their encore with "Recognize" complete with a portion of Depeche Mode’s "Personal Jesus." However, KG committed yet another lyrical faux-pas as he sang about "seven angels next to me and the angel close behind." The band then segued into crowd favorite "Voodoo Porcelain." Before playing the night’s final song – "Desperately Wanting," KG told the crowd about the upcoming Mardi Gras shows and the float the guys would be on for one of the parades. As KG began "Desperately Wanting," he sang just a little bit lower which caused even the normally unflappable Tom Drummond to exhibit a little surprise. Never mind, the song continued with sampling of Outkast’s "Whole World" to conclude the song. In parting, Kevin Griffin was heard to say, "My work is done. That right. You know what I’m talking about." Yes, Kevin, we most certainly do. Yet another outstanding review, Laura Leigh. Thanks so much for all your efforts on behalf of the Serenade and its readers. | ||
