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jimmyboy
Fourth Love
USA
234 Posts |
 Posted - 24/06/2005 : 10:03:22
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| WELL,THINGS WENT MUCH,MUCH SMOOTHER THIS EVENING AT THE LOVELY CAFE DUNORD IN SAN FRANCISCO.THE BAND WAS EVEN TIGHTER,ARTHUR WAS IN MUCH BETTER SHAPE.I DO BELIEVE HIS LEG MAY BE ACTING UP ON HIM AGAIN AS HE WAS SEATED DURING MOST OF THE SHOW. HE PLAYED NO GUITAR OR TAMBOU-RINE BUT DID SHAKE A MARACA OR TWO. HE WAS APOLOGETIC ABOUT THE PREVIOUS NIGHT'S NEAR-DEBACLE SAYING THAT HE FELT BETTER.IT PRETTY MUCH A KILLER SHOW.MAN,THAT DADDYO CAN SURE HIT THOSE DRUMSKINS!! I WAS ABOUT 6 FT.AWAY.I COULD SEE THE FACES OF ALL THE BANDMEMBERS.THAT JOHNNY ECHOLS! HE HAS THIS TERRIFIC SMILE ON HIS FACE LIKE HE'S SO GLAD TO BE UP THERE PLAYING.AND MAN CAN HE PLAY.ARTHUR HAD THEM DO AN IMPROMPTU BLUES INSTRUMENTAL THAT HAD MIKE AND JOHNNY TRADING BLUES LICKS LIKE CRAZY.THE SOUND WAS REALLY GREAT,MUCH BETTER THAN THE PREVIOUS NIGHT THEY DID MOST OF FOREVER CHANGES,ORANGE SKIES,LIITLE RED BOOK,AN EXPLOSIVE CANT'EXPLAIN WHICH ARTHUR REALLY NAILED VOCALLY.HE STRUGGLED ALOT TONIGHT BUT SEEMED TO HAVE IT MORE TOGETHER.HE PLAYED NO HARMONICA EITHER.RUSTY COVERED ARTHUR'S BUTT AGAIN BUT THERE WAS MORE HUMOR BETWEEN THE BAND MEMBERS TONIGHT.MIKE SEEMS TO BE HOLDING BACK A LITTLE.ARTHUR KINDA PICKS ON HIM.NOTHING HEAVY BUT PROBABLY A BIT ANNOYING.I HAD A GREAT TIME AND THE CAFE DU NORD IS A VERY COOL PLACE.FOOD WAS GOOD AND REASONABLY PRICED.DRINKS ARE NOT WEAK AND SOUND WAS OUTSTANDING.THE STAFF IS VERY POLITE AND ACCOMMADATING.ARTHUR CONTINUED SITTING DOWN EVEN AFTER THE ENTIRE BAND LEFT THE STAGE.DADDYO WAS IN APARTICULAR HURRY TO GET OFF THE STAGE.MAYBE THE POOR MAN HAD TO TAKE A LEAK!I WAS DISAPPINTED THAT THERE WAS NO MERCHANDISE OR T-SHIRTS FOR SALE. ANYWAY,I'M SURE THE SETLIST WILL TURN UP SOMEWHERE.ALL IN ALL ITS WAS A GOOD SHOW.IT WAS NOT THE HOUSE 0F BLUES PERFORMANCE FROM SUMMER BEFORE LAST,BUT IT WAS NO SPACELAND SHOW #1 EITHER.I AM GLAD I WENT AND ARTHUR SEEMS TO BE ON THE MEND.GOOD LUCK TO FANS IN THE U.K. |
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jimmyboy
Fourth Love
USA
234 Posts |
Posted - 24/06/2005 : 10:23:30
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| THEY ALSO DID AN INCREDIBLE 7AND 7 THAT RIPPED THE PLACE APART...ARTHUR HUNG OUT AND SIGNED STUFF FOR FANS AND WAS VERY POLITE,THOUGH STILL A TOUCH LOADED.HE CAME OUT WEARING THE SCARF,HAT AND SHADES BUT BY SHOW'S END HAD THE SCARF,HAT AND SHADES OFF,SHIRT OPENED ALL THE WAY AND SCALP GLEAMING IN THE SPOTLIGHT AS HE SIGNED AWAY.HE HAD A LOT OF INTERPLAY WITH A TALL BLOND CAMERA-HAPPY "FAN".OLD ART'S STILL GOT A WAY WITH THE WOMEN! |
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MikeP
Fifth Love
406 Posts |
Posted - 24/06/2005 : 10:56:47
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| This man relly knows how to give people an interesting/frustrating ride. Trouble is, any media reviewers will have probably been at the first show... |
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drano
First Love
5 Posts |
Posted - 24/06/2005 : 11:12:04
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| I didn't go on the second night, but I'm glad to hear that he reprieved himself. The Cafe Du Nord is one of the best venues in the city in my opinion - well run, intimate and atmospheric. An all-round classy place. Hopefully there will be another opportunity ..... |
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Martin Pravda
Fourth Love
United Kingdom
104 Posts |
Posted - 24/06/2005 : 11:16:15
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Im really glad you got a decent show after the 1st one. Its great to hear Arthur is back in shape.
Cheers for the review. |
Edited by - Martin Pravda on 24/06/2005 11:16:43 |
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caryne
Old Love
United Kingdom
1520 Posts |
Posted - 24/06/2005 : 11:34:22
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I'm really glad the show was better the second time but still seems there may be 'issues' to resolve.
Can I ask you one thing 'Jimmyboy', is it possible you can take your 'Caps Lock' off as your posts are really hard to read. |
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SignedRW
Fifth Love
USA
280 Posts |
Posted - 24/06/2005 : 22:55:34
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Jimmyboy, you are far too kind, and though the boys in the band
absolutely saved the day (relatively speaking; Mike, Rusty, Johnny, & the Daves are always, always world class), last night,
though it may have been much better than night one in S.F., was
a sorry, pathetic scene. I remain convinced that this is far and
away the best live Love band ever, and I have seen every lineup,
from the beginning, back to the D.C.-Fleckenstein rhythm section
days. I've witnessed Arthur in stunning, near life-changing form,
vocally, but at last night's show, he rarely came close to hitting
the notes, mostly didn't remember lyrics, frequently was lost mid
song, and often sang way off mic. The band carried the show, and
they all deserve medals for their success, but it's performances
like this that ultimately have a very sad, and sorry to say, an often lasting impact on the long term legacy of Arthur's body of
work. I will always respect and admire Arthur Lee, if for no
other reason than the genius of his abilities as a writer and a
performer, when at his best. I truly think the world of Johhny and the Baby Lemonade boys, but shows like this one are better
cancelled; the discomfort in the band members expressions was a
sad thing to witness. I know that Arthur is well aware that we
true, hard core fans are a very forgiving lot, but you know what?
No matter how wonderful the past work, the artist, in performance
at least, does also owe a little something to the fans. We love
you Arthur, but we deserve better, or else just don't go out there
if that's the best you can do, because your legacy deserves better
as well. |
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LarryNYC
Fifth Love
USA
310 Posts |
Posted - 24/06/2005 : 23:02:48
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| Well said RW. |
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kilted_john
First Love
USA
11 Posts |
Posted - 25/06/2005 : 04:16:40
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As a friend of mine stated to me (I could not attend myself) ... "Arthur was really 'smacked' out, but the band was smoking" She said the crowd was generally young. and to be exposed to this type of performance and AL's diatribe doesnot bode well.
So go figure.
I can then imagine what the previous night's perfomance was like. I doubt I will ever again make an attempt (or recommend) to see another of his performances ... so sad.
John |
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caryne
Old Love
United Kingdom
1520 Posts |
Posted - 25/06/2005 : 09:30:37
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Sadly, this is another example of my point that the more this goes on the fewer people will be interested in seeing 'Love'. I've got to be honest, yes, on a good night Arthur is brilliant but, as said before, no-one but the most ardent of fan is going to keep paying out good money for such a risky venture. As another band once said 'Something better change....' |
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ruxprncd
Fifth Love
305 Posts |
Posted - 25/06/2005 : 14:50:36
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it seems clear that Arthur can't or doesn't want to change, unfortunately. the irony is that if it weren't for the (unjust) time he spent in jail, and the forced sobriety there, the incredible comeback of the past few years wouldn't have happened.
I'd Love to be proven wrong, with several Love shows as absolute high points for me...'96 Coconut Teaszer and 2002 Knitting Factory at the top, closely followed by 2002 at the Experience Music Project in Seattle.
hats off the the Baby Lemonaders for their passion, brilliance...and patience and forgiveness...in making it all come together...let's hope there are still good moments to come. |
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JRise
First Love
2 Posts |
Posted - 25/06/2005 : 18:34:27
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What a difference between the last SF date (Lee and Love were absolutely awesome at the Great American, 2004) and the Cafe du Nord shows. I was at the Thursday show, and if Thursday was better than Wednesday, I pity the folks who went Wednesday. I'm a longtime Love fan, but Thursday was pathetic. Lee was so incapacitated he couldn't remember the words to anything unless Rusty was helping him along. Old Love fans can still groove to the music, but there will be no new converts if this keeps happening.
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Edited by - JRise on 25/06/2005 20:18:25 |
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kdion11
Old Love
USA
552 Posts |
Posted - 25/06/2005 : 18:55:37
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Just wanted to thank Mike Randall for helping to add my group "Corsica" to the bill at both SF Cafe Du Nord shows.
Everything couldn't have gone smoother, with both groups sharing equipment and back line gear.
These guys are a true CLASS ACT , and we hope to do it again sometime in the future !
KD "Corsica"
for more info on Corsica go to: www.corsicaband.com |
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jimmyboy
Fourth Love
USA
234 Posts |
Posted - 26/06/2005 : 05:28:54
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| In my previous rantings on the SF shows,I didnt mention the opening act,CORSICA.I must say they were very good.The songs and instrumentation were terrific.The violinist was exceptional.They had a sort of forever changes feel to their style.Good luck to them. |
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jazmaan
Fifth Love
USA
315 Posts |
Posted - 26/06/2005 : 05:34:31
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| I'm not sure if the legendary House of Blues concert is still available as a limited edition collector's DVD, but if it is, every Love fan should buy it and cherish Arthur at the top of his game. |
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jimmyboy
Fourth Love
USA
234 Posts |
Posted - 26/06/2005 : 07:37:34
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| You are so right Mr.Jazzman!!while staying in L.A.for the KNITTING FACTORY shows(that place is a goddam oven)I found a copy at the terrific AMOEBA RECORD STORE on Sunset.I freaked.I'ts packaged like a CD but it is said to be THE BEST SHOW EVER DONE! I was at the show and to have a visual record of it is pretty neat.I have seen it for sale at a couple of shows in L.A. early last year.also, the ones that the NEW GUY sells on his site are all DYNAMITE!! GREAT SOUND,GREAT PERFORMANCES OF GREAT SET-LISTS AND CLEVER PACKAGING. |
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BIG IMPROVEMENT IN S F ! !
