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IN THIS ISSUE:
2004 Christmas
Show Reviews
Page 1
Page 2
Page 3
Page 4
Page 5
Page 6
Page 7
Page 8
The Bootlog
Page 9
Fan Profile /
More Cowbell!
Page 10
Some Ezra Sights From New Orleans
Page 11
Listening Party Update
Page 12
The Reviews & Pictorials
Page 13
Page 14
Page 15
Page 16
Page 17
Page 18
Page
19
Page 20
Page 21
News & Links
Page 22
Map of Ezra
Page 23
TTOY Hall of Fame
Page 24
Cowbell Hall of Fame
Page 25
BTE Impressions
Page 26
THE ARCHIVES
Volume 1
Mar.
2003
May 2003
July
2003
Sept.
2003
Nov.
2003
Jan.
2004
Volume 2
Mar.
2004
May
2004
July
2004
Sep.
2004
Nov.
2004
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2004 CHRISTMAS SHOWS (CONT'D)
The Rock Did Not Stop Friday Night
(Photo: ChrisK)
Friday Night (Cont'd)
A traditional ending for the song turned into a
comedic highlight. As Jim Payne leapt off the drum riser some of the
cottony faux snow flew up with him and floated to the ground. Kevin
asked rhetorically: “Jim, did that come out of your ass? That sh*t’s
baby’s breath!” The crowd convulsed with laughter.
Before the next song, Tom mentioned that BTE had some stocking
stuffers for everyone – the DVD and Live CD “recorded right here.”
Griffin chimed in that the Standard north American Stocking won’t fit
DVDs, so “at some expense, cash money, BTE had their DVD made shorter
and narrower to fit.”
All jokes aside, KG did tell the crowd that tickets
that night cost $1 extra and that the money was going to Louisiana
Prevention of Child Abuse. They had decided to do this after some
serious urging from a friend/neighbor. Returning to the music, KG
requested some “burned umber” and “blue cobalt” lights. “Yes” he said
“I’ve been studying up on my colors!” These mellow colors provided a
perfect backdrop for “Get You In,” billed as a “song for the ladies.”
Locals Wish They Had Signs Like
This Outside the HoB
(Photo: Jeska)
Another song from the new album was up next. Before the “Special”
intro began, KG introduced Mike Keel to the crowd: “Ladies and
gentlemen, a good friend of the family, David Carradine, star of Kill
Bill Volume I and II.” He also complimented the New Orleans crowd by dissing the Northeast “we’ll be playing in Vermont or New Hampshire” he
said as he made a simple strumming motion “and we’ll be like, what the
f*ck?” Obviously, they feel most at home and appreciated in the Crescent
City. Either way, “Special” rocked. And once again the highlight of the
song was Mr. Travis Aaron McNabb’s drumming. The drumming makes this
song (that and KG’s great guitar solo anyway).
More new album information followed. KG told the crowd that the band
are probably more excited than they are about the new disc. They had
also recently reviewed video “treatments,” although they were “not sure
they were down with the cross dressing/Mardi Gras idea.” This elicited a
chuckle from Tom, so who knows what’s in store!
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As an intro to “At the Stars,” Kevin told how he got
the opening chord from Loudon Wainwright III’s “Motel
Room Blues.” He noted that he is Rufus’ Dad and best
known for being on some old TV shows. Editor’s Note:
Actually, Wainwright is probably best known for
writing and performing the theme from M*A*S*H in
addition to appearing in the show and his classic
tune, “Dead Skunk.”
Graham Colton lent his vocal talents to “At the Stars”
as he has done several times in the past. As he reached for the notes he
went up on tiptoes at Tom’s mic until he finally took it off the stand.
As he sang, several ladies miraculously appeared on their boyfriends
shoulders swaying to the music – a definite no-no at the HoB – but the
moment passed without any security intervention. The song generated a
real moment for fans as it has many times in the past.
As the song ended KG thanked Graham for his help. He also noted that he
often needs help with song lyrics so he needed some audience “juice” –
actually a “wave of audience juice (well not literally)” – on the next
song, “A Lifetime.” The audience sang along to the song at the top of
their voices with reckless abandon.
Faux snow began to fall as BTE kicked into “Desperately Wanting,” the
closing tune of their regular set. Rotating lights and the snow gave the
song an extra “trippy” effect prompting Kevin to move about the stage
with his “lunar walk.” Acknowledging the energy of the performance, he
then did the patented “Bruce Throwdown” of his guitar behind his back
and announced “That’s right motherf*cker, I’m drawing a line in the
sand!” Continuing he rhetorically asked the crowd “Didn’t Graham sound
great tonight? He was right in the pocket.” A snippet of Nelly’s “Ride
Wit Me” and some Jim Payne “porn guitar” concluded the song. The guys
left the stage to deafening applause from the crowd.
For the Encore, Travis Broke Out the Acoustic Mini-Kit
(Photo: ChrisK)
The Encore
Returning to the stage, now set up an acoustic session, KG craftily
pitched a towel into the crowd from between his legs. In a heartfelt
paean to the night’s crowd, he commented “Sometimes being in a band can
be really shitty, but tonight we feel like we are a great band.” He
dubbed the crowd as “off the hook” and “off the charts” and “the best
New Orleans crowd we have EVER had.” A truly stunning tribute to the
fans packing the House of blues that night.
Kevin began the encore as he has many recent encores with a tender
acoustic version of The The’s “Love is Stronger Than Death.” Although
not a Christmas song, Kevin noted that it’s “about love and hope” and
that’s a big part of the holiday. As the song ended, an audience member
yelled out “play King of New Orleans.” Not missing a beat, Griffin
quipped “we already played that when you were still down on Bourbon
Street at the Cat’s Meow” (more on
page
4).
The Graham Colton Band Helps Out On
"Last Dance With Mary Jane"
(Photo: ChrisK)
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