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IN THIS ISSUE:
2004 Christmas The Bootlog Some Ezra Sights From New Orleans Listening Party Update News & Links TTOY Hall of Fame Cowbell Hall of Fame BTE Impressions Volume 2
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BTE RETURNS TO CHICAGO FOR When I heard that Better Than Ezra would be playing two shows in a row in Chicago, I was absolutely giddy. I was slightly concerned about the timing, as the first show date would also be my first day of finals, but I was very lucky that there was no final exam scheduled on the second date. After I turned in my Psychology final on Thursday afternoon, I took the short el-train ride to the House of Blues for the first of two Better Than Ezra shows. What a great ending to a stressful day!
The Pat McGee Band filled the opening role quite well, with their extensive crowd interactions and many Pat McGee fans on hand as well. They certainly played longer than I thought they would, which made anticipation for Better Than Ezra even more profound. After they left the stage, I braced myself for the long gap between bands that is characteristic of every Better Than Ezra show I’ve ever attended. I was shocked when the curtains flew open and I heard the Queen song blaring just 35 minutes later! As the crowd anxiously awaited the band’s arrival, I tried not to peek at the setlist resting on Kevin’s little carpet, but I just couldn’t help myself. As the setlist clearly documented, the guys arrived and played “King of New Orleans.” Kevin changed the “break it on down” segment, extending his words longer and including his greeting messages. Instead of launching into Beck’s “Debra,” the song resumed immediately. After that was “Misunderstood,” followed by “Allison Foley,” definitely a surprise to me. This was also a favorite among the rest of the crowd, as many people helped Tom wave back and forth as Kevin sang, “So long, Allison Foley. So long, bye-bye.” Also, for some reason, I always giggle when I see Kevin show off his “tape of Clerks,” so it was nice to see the return of this song.
Although I can’t quite remember the order of all of the songs, I know that “Rolling” was next and “Live Again,” and “Get You In,” and “Daylight” came in quick succession (although not necessarily in that order). It seemed that “Daylight” was a last minute decision by Kevin, as “Special” stood in its place on the setlist. I’m used to hearing “Daylight” a bit later in the set when the crowd always is so willing to help sing, but the crowd still participated early in the show, helping Tom sing the chorus at the end as Kevin kept up with the verses. “Extra Ordinary” followed, I believe, and then I finally heard the opening drums to “Good.” I have to admit that I was a bit concerned when I didn’t hear it earlier, as I’m so used to it being within the first four songs, but I know that they would never leave it off the setlist. After so many years, I still go crazy when they play that – perhaps because I know that this song started it all for me (and them) and that I might not be at so many shows if not for that song. “Rosealia” fit so well right after “Good.” The crowd was treated to the harmonica prowess of James Arthur Payne during and after the tune, and we also heard a little bit of Neil Young’s “Sugar Mountain.” I think that there was so much going on during this song that they forgot to do the last part – I don’t recall Jim coming up front to sing “Rosalie, Rosealia” or leaping off the drum riser. Next was a shock to everyone, as Kevin began to play “Coyote” in a solo role. As he struggled with the lyrics, singing much repetition (I don’t know how many times I heard “Santa Fe seems a stone’s throw away”), Tom hung back by Travis and laughed while shaking his head. I could see Kevin laughing as well once he was finished, obviously amused by the fact that he tried to play the song without remembering many of the lyrics. The regular set concluded with a few more songs. “Sincerely, Me” was the first, along with some of the Ramones’ “I Wanna Be Sedated,” which Kevin explained he used to listen to at his grandmother’s house. “At the Stars” followed, complete with a rendition of “Friend of the Devil.” “Lifetime” and “Desperately Wanting” were the final two songs, definitely contributing to the energy of the crowd. |
I overestimated my ability to write a review without taking notes during the show, but although I can’t remember the exact placement of many funny moments to take place during the show, I can document them. First, there was a Supertramp cover somewhere in the mix. Kevin explained that because they were in Chicago, they could play covers from Chicago, Cheap Trick, and Smashing Pumpkins, but they ultimately decided to play a little something from another Chicago band: Supertramp. His bandmates were amused, probably knowing that Supertramp is in fact British, but the band still obliged and the crowd heard a bit of “Goodbye Stranger.” Early in the show, a dude in about the second row yelled to Kevin during a silent moment, “Kevin, have my baby!” Kevin gave a hilarious look and said, “Dude, I’m spoken for,” and added that if he wasn’t, then they would definitely hook up. Another funny moment came when between songs, Kevin spotted a certain audience member’s hands stretched over her face and moving her fingers in a hypnotic type motion. The look on Kevin’s face was priceless, as he appeared shocked and tried to imitate that movement while staring at the fan. He then went into some sort of tongue clicking language, explaining that he was performing the song of the “Calihari Bushmen.” I wish I could remember everything about this moment, because it was so funny and random. I wonder if there’s any way we could get Kevin to perform this tongue clicking language ever again – I think Kevin actually said that this would be its final performance. Soon afterward, something inspired Kevin to present a dance, which he labeled as the “Ashlee Simpson Scarecrow Dance,” extending his arms and kicking his legs in awkward ways. He then explained that based on Ashlee Simpson, one’s fame is based on about 10% talent and 90% attitude. Finally, as we all know how much Kevin loves to sing in falsetto, he asked the audience to try it out the next day at work or school. If you ask a question in falsetto, he explained, the answer will always be “Yes.”
After the regular set came to a close, I watched various crew members set up a little carpet and a “mini” drum set in front of the drum riser. Soon afterward, Kevin emerged all alone to play a little bit of The The’s “Love is Stronger Than Death.” When the band rejoined him, they played “Porcelain.” It’s been so long since I’ve heard the “original” version of this song; it was a nice surprise to hear it with acoustic guitar and bass. It was strange, but a nice treat to see Travis positioned a little closer to the crowd. This also allowed Tom and Travis to have some more fun laughing together. Afterward, as everyone became a bit silly, there was a funny exchange between Travis and Kevin which ended with a brief version of the Violent Femmes’ “Blister in the Sun,” much to the crowd’s amusement. When the silliness here was complete, “One More Murder” followed. Kevin’s struggle with the lyrics was reminiscent of “Coyote” earlier in the show, but you have to love Kevin for trying. Also during the encore, Kevin announced that as of midnight, it would be Travis’s birthday. The crowd exploded, and it was clear that Travis was a little bit embarrassed. How adorable! Afterward, as they reunited with their electric instruments, we were treated with the always welcomed “In the Blood.” During the section of the song where I am so used to hearing “Don’t Fear the Reaper,” Kevin launched into the chords of “Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love” by Van Halen. Pat McGee and one of his guitarists emerged from backstage and took their positions onstage to help out with the song. It became such a big, high-energy production that the finale of the Van Halen song was actually the finale of the entire concert. They did not resume with the third verse and final chorus (with lalas) of “In the Blood.” I didn’t even realize this until the concert was over. But, all was well because I knew I would hear the full version of “In the Blood,” complete with my beloved “lalas” on the following night. Thursday night was such an amazing show, so I knew that Friday would have to be a huge deal to top it. I didn’t feel the slight sorrow I always feel after a Better Than Ezra show because I knew I would be right back there the next night. Let’s hope that the make two shows in Chicago a trend for the future. As usual, very nice work on the review and pics, Val. |
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