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IN THIS ISSUE:
Xmas Shows NOLA Sights Trivia Etc. A Gift for Our Readers Fan Profile Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Archives
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THE CHRISTMAS EXTRAVAGANZA KICKS OFF INTO HIGH GEAR After a somewhat lifeless set by opening act Owen Beverly, the crowd waited in anticipation enjoying the pre-show music which included Beck and Coldplay, among others. The crowd especially seemed to enjoy hearing Adam Sandler's "Hanukkah Song" (the original version). When the "OJ Simpson" line came around it seemed the whole crowd screamed in unison – "NOT A JEW!"
Finally, "Bad Santa" Rod Ryan appeared on stage to introduce the guys in his customary, faux-drunken fashion. This year, Santa’s beverage of choice was Grey Goose vodka straight from the bottle. As he stumbled off-stage, the house curtains were pulled back to reveal a very merry Christmas scene. A two foot tall frosted Christmas tree sat atop Tom’s bass amp. Christmas lights were strung across the bottom of the drum riser, Tom’s amp, and Jim Payne’s keyboards. Cottony faux-snow lay all around. And the gentle snowflakes began to fall on both the stage area and the crowd...
The guys obviously put some thought into the set list (not that you’re ever guaranteed to hear all the songs on the setlist, but hey). The band kicked-off the show with a spirited version of "In the Blood." After seeing the band close most shows with the song, it amazes how much energy they can muster for it before they are even warmed up properly. Travis, in particular, nailed the tune right out of the starting gate. You could tell the crowd was primed too, as everyone seemed to "Get their La-Las Out" during the song even without the prompting "sing it if you know it..."
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The guys then changed gears and offered up a rocking version of "Hollow." This is definitely the a great "new" song – that the guys have been playing since 1999 – and it most definitely deserves to be on the new album and DVD (fingers crossed everyone). "Misunderstood" came next with the falsetto extended ending. After the song was over, Kevin stopped the rocking long enough to welcome everyone to BTE's Christmas "Extravaganza." He then segued into a joke about something "dangling" over on Tom’s side. Why am I glad I didn’t quite catch that one?
Travis’ staccato drumbeats then ushered in the brand new song "Good." As if the crowd wasn’t energized enough, they erupted at the opening notes. During the song KG came over to Tom’s side of the stage for some "hellos," he bent down low and wrestled with this reporter for his pen. When he’d finally won his prize, he took a moment to scribble on the notebook page. This is senseless harassment of Street Serenade staff must cease...
Jim Payne’s keyboards and Travis drumbeats identified "Rolling" as the next serving at Chez Ezra. When the song concluded, KG asked "Where’s Rod Ryan" Where is that bald f*cker?" Kevin said they all wanted to see him out there in his "birthday, I mean Santa, suit" as they were going to play a special song. This was to be the first setlist deviation for the evening, but not the last. Lo and behold, much to the delight of the crowd, the guys launched into a large part of "Pull." It was so great to hear. The crowd went nuts. And, Santa Rod was dancing off stage like a whirling dervish... Slowing things down, "Get You In" came next. Apparently, the song is now always billed as a "song for the ladies" much in the same way as "Cry in the Sun" once was. After "Extra Ordinary," Kevin told Tom how they had to play the song given the many "hotties" he could see in the crowd. At this point in the show, the band added in the first cover the show with a partial rendition of "Faade Into You" by Mazzy Star. KG mentioned that he had been watching Madonna's remake of "Swept Away" that afternoon. He commented that this song was the best part of what was a truly dreadful film. (Editor’s note: I highly recommend seeing the original 1974 Lina Wertmuller version of the same name, it rocks). (Story continued on page 3). |
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