Waiting for the Flood - review of Park West show

[Pillow Pants]

Alright, so tonight was the big show. After putting in a ten hour day, and my gf racing home in time after a long day (both taking on the work of other employees who weren't so fortunate in this economy), we proceeded to the Park West, getting stuck in a bit of traffic. We didn't even have time for dinner so stopped for snacks on the way after grabbing some cash for beer. We hit the $14 to park then hoofed it to the show.

Upon arriving at the Park West at 8:30, we were treated to a long set by "Autumn Defense", perhaps one of the most boring live bands I've ever seen. Not only that, but they were lyrically inane. We had no idea there was even an opener. After their set was mercifully over (my gf, who is one of the nicest people in the world claimed they were awful), we were treated to a very long and boring wait for Olson/Louris. In fact, if you count the unexpected set, we waited over an hour and a half to see Olson/ Louris. They did not hit the stage until 10:10 pm.

To give you an idea of that, we could have watched the entire film of "Platoon", and then an episode of South Park in that time. Acoustic shows are supposed to be fairly quick, one time affairs. There's no real equipment for the band to set up.

*Finally*, Olson and Louris show up on stage, looking very buzzed. They start out awkwardly, with the vocals way too far up front(the sound guy adjusted later, thankfully). I don't know if they were pounding drinks before the show, or what they were doing backstage for so long. Gary looked just plain wasted and Olson seemed to be leaning that way, but not as bad.

The entire set was sloppy and unfocused save for a few rare moments such as "Bloody Hands" and "Turn Your Pretty Name Around". I wish I could say better things. Vocal lines were missed, there was strange ad- libbing(especially by Mark who seemed to veer in and out of focus frequently, and Gary singing "nan na na an" on Nothing Left to Borrow), the playing was off kilter much of the time. The harmonica playing didn't even fit most of the songs, and seemed half hearted or lacking force. Wrong chords were played, the "picking" sounded very rough and amateur. The guitar playing by both Mark and Gary just wasn't very good which is strange because I've never seen them have problems before (except Mark on bass). Maybe it was the new style of songs on RFTF. These guys were not even close to the top of their game. I saw Olson in Chicago fall 2007 and that performance blew this one away, and the songs played tonight were higher quality songs. Honestly, I don't know what happened. I am grateful that they came to Chicago and I got to see them, but to be perfectly honest I felt it was a bit unprofessional to show up so late to an acoustic gig, perhaps indulge too much before the show, and to bascialy come off as very under-rehearsed. Manyof the people around us simply left about 10 songs in.

God bless these two. I feel bad even writing this honest report.

But maybe coffee instead of beer before the show to get the energy and focus up? My gf, who loves these guys was itching to leave the show at about ten songs in. The hour and a half delay to the start of the show didn't help. This happened once before (acoustic Olson-less Jayhawks back in 2003 I believe) and it was a 2 hour wait at a small club.

I'm sitting here trying to figure out if it was a bad night, or if an acoustic show is just too boring by default. Personally I am surprised that the completely under-rehearsed last Olson/Louris electrical tour was a better gig, both in Madison (2007 maybe) and the last Park West gig.

[gsmog]

I was at the show last night and I have to agree with PP regarding the Autumn Defense (nice guys that probably should never play in anything beyond a coffee house), O/L guitar work (annoying or horrible---one or the other) and the sound mix (even worse). Personally I think Gary does a nice job on the harmonica but I'm just not a fan of the instrument so less there is definitely more for me.

I have no idea if they were buzzed, but I will say that in spite of all the above, I have to say that the show was still worthy of a $25 ticket on a cold night in Chicago. I can only imagine how tired they must be from this tour but in spite of that, I thought they gave it their best shot.

Moreover, and this is the important part, but the new songs hold up really well against the early classics. I don't own the new album yet but I will.

A friend of mine was at the Hideout for the 'XRT show in the afternoon and said they were incredible, borderline transcendent. This wasn't that---but it was good. Still, from an avid fan who's seen them (or some version of the Jayhawks) no fewer than 25 times, here are a few bits of advice:

1. Lose the two-gun acoustic guitar attack---or at least make it more subtle. I saw where Gary stopped playing during one of the Olson-led songs and it really helped matters. Less really can be more. Too often it was redundant and the time signature is muddled---sometimes it felt hurried or out of time, if that makes sense.
2. Don't schedule a Chicago show at the end of an aggressively scheduled tour without a break if you also have to do a radio gig and then follow it up with two sold-out hometown shows. Minnesota and Chicago are two of your largest markets and we're getting the tour ends.
3. Ignore the above and keep on doing what you do---it's so much better than almost everything else out there anyway.....

[Jedey]

Originally Posted by Pillow Pants

Alright, so tonight was the big show. After putting in a ten hour day, and my gf racing home in time after a long day (both taking on the work of other employees who weren't so fortunate in this economy), we proceeded to the Park West, getting stuck in a bit of traffic. We didn't even have time for dinner so stopped for snacks on the way after grabbing some cash for beer. We hit the $14 to park then hoofed it to the show.

Upon arriving at the Park West at 8:30, we were treated to a long set by "Autumn Defense", perhaps one of the most boring live bands I've ever seen. Not only that, but they were lyrically inane. We had no idea there was even an opener. After their set was mercifully over (my gf, who is one of the nicest people in the world claimed they were awful), we were treated to a very long and boring wait for Olson/Louris. In fact, if you count the unexpected set, we waited over an hour and a half to see Olson/ Louris. They did not hit the stage until 10:10 pm.

To give you an idea of that, we could have watched the entire film of "Platoon", and then an episode of South Park in that time. Acoustic shows are supposed to be fairly quick, one time affairs. There's no real equipment for the band to set up.

*Finally*, Olson and Louris show up on stage, looking very buzzed. They start out awkwardly, with the vocals way too far up front(the sound guy adjusted later, thankfully). I don't know if they were pounding drinks before the show, or what they were doing backstage for so long. Gary looked just plain wasted and Olson seemed to be leaning that way, but not as bad.

The entire set was sloppy and unfocused save for a few rare moments such as "Bloody Hands" and "Turn Your Pretty Name Around". I wish I could say better things. Vocal lines were missed, there was strange ad- libbing(especially by Mark who seemed to veer in and out of focus frequently, and Gary singing "nan na na an" on Nothing Left to Borrow), the playing was off kilter much of the time. The harmonica playing didn't even fit most of the songs, and seemed half hearted or lacking force. Wrong chords were played, the "picking" sounded very rough and amateur. The guitar playing by both Mark and Gary just wasn't very good which is strange because I've never seen them have problems before (except Mark on bass). Maybe it was the new style of songs on RFTF. These guys were not even close to the top of their game. I saw Olson in Chicago fall 2007 and that performance blew this one away, and the songs played tonight were higher quality songs. Honestly, I don't know what happened. I am grateful that they came to Chicago and I got to see them, but to be perfectly honest I felt it was a bit unprofessional to show up so late to an acoustic gig, perhaps indulge too much before the show, and to bascialy come off as very under-rehearsed. Manyof the people around us simply left about 10 songs in.

God bless these two. I feel bad even writing this honest report.

But maybe coffee instead of beer before the show to get the energy and focus up? My gf, who loves these guys was itching to leave the show at about ten songs in. The hour and a half delay to the start of the show didn't help. This happened once before (acoustic Olson-less Jayhawks back in 2003 I believe) and it was a 2 hour wait at a small club.

I'm sitting here trying to figure out if it was a bad night, or if an acoustic show is just too boring by default. Personally I am surprised that the completely under-rehearsed last Olson/Louris electrical tour was a better gig, both in Madison (2007 maybe) and the last Park West gig.

I can't wait to hear from the fans that were at the show.

[jcarlile]

Oh right you are John.....the "real" reports will be coming. I just got up and have to get my coffee and breakfast and do my Sat. morning chores, but I'll get back to this later. All I can say is it was amazingly great and the sound was perfect!

[Haggischomper]

Originally Posted by jcarlile

Oh right you are John.....the "real" reports will be coming. I just got up and have to get my coffee and breakfast and do my Sat. morning chores, but I'll get back to this later. All I can say is it was amazingly great and the sound was perfect!

+1.

Not had my coffee yet either yet, Joyce, but I most definitely wil be getting back to this.

FABULOUS to see PeePee doesn't fail to deviate from his insanely BS script. Never lets us down, ol PeePee. Buzzed, ferrcrissakes? My hairy fucking arse. PeePee, yer a moron.

[sacred roots]

Originally Posted by Pillow Pants

Acoustic shows are supposed to be fairly quick, one time affairs.

Sez who? You making sh*t up again? You've got quite a history as a back seat record producer -- now you're an armchair concert promoter?

I felt it was a bit unprofessional to show up so late to an acoustic gig,

What in God's name are you talking about? What does the format of the music have to do with anything? And, late? WTF? Doors were at what, 8pm? There was an opening act, and then the headliner came on a bit after 10pm? Sounds like a normal schedule to me.

The hour and a half delay to the start of the show didn't help.

There was no "delay," except perhaps in your confused mind. You don't get out much, do you? Even if things were running a bit on the slow side, maybe that was just the venue trying to maximize the bar revenue in these slow economic times. That's just a fact of life in the live music world.

I'm sitting here trying to figure out if it was a bad night

Perhaps. Sh*t happens. I wasn't there so I obviously can't comment on the music, but the buzz from this tour has been almost universally positive. The performances I've seen and heard have been of the highest caliber with an audience reaction to match.

or if an acoustic show is just too boring by default.

Obviously a matter of personal preference. What I find boring is 90% of the crap being released these days, almost all of it "plugged in." There are few things more inspiring in my mind than seeing a well performed acoustic concert (Neil Young springs immediately to mind). There's something about a format where the emphasis is on the basics of the music and delivery, not a bunch of window dressing. Incredibly hard to pull off; there are very few performers who can do it well. But when it does work, it can be transcendent (Mark and Gary's set at The Current a few weeks ago springs immediately to mind).

Finally, in my experience, if people are predisposed about something in advance -- like, for instance, a "boring" acoustic show -- their reactions usually are in sync with their biases. People who don't like acoustic shows and music are very likely going to be disappointed to one degree or another with the current O/L tour. That's fine and not really all that shocking, hence the smaller venues. But for those who enjoy this style of music and performance, this tour has been an overwhelmingly positive experience from what I can gather.

Looking forward to reading more reports and the next two nights at the Varsity.

[Angelyne]

I feel like I was at a different show. I really found nothing amateur, rough or out of sorts with this show. I am truly confused by these reviews. I felt it was transcendent and inspired.

Different strokes. I'll probably write a different review a bit later and post some pics. Like Joyce I have to make breakfast, shop and get some things done.

Good seeing all of you last night. Pillow Pants did not make himself known to us once again - not that he would but we were not difficult to find.

[takemewithyou]

Originally Posted by sacred roots

Even if things were running a bit on the slow side, maybe that was just the venue trying to maximize the bar revenue in these slow economic times. That's just a fact of life in the live music world.

Correct. That's the Park West for you. They also let you in earlier than most venues do so you can drink before.

[JoMama]

It was great to put real faces on some of y'all fanpagers!
I was giddy with the energy of this wonderful venue, but pretty beat-down from the long drive, the long day following the Iowa show, so I apologize for getting to meet up with y'all only after the show.
I'm still burnt this morning from the white-knuckle snowstorm trek up to Madison, post-show, but positively glowing from my all-too-brief visit to Chicagoland. I'm so soooooo happy I made the effort to come down here, and, despite PP's assessment of the long delay between sets, I can honestly tell you it was a perfect timing for me and my inexperience with Chicago. As Kim pointed out, it was "Assertive Driving 101--Stay Alert!". Late to arrive, the boys were just coming across the lobby from the dressing room as I walked in. Woot!
Glad to see PP actually singing along, despite the curmudgeonly review. I can honestly say, the negative things were very much the tiniest percentage of sentiments to be shared this evening, so not worth getting worked up about.
I came, I saw, I felt the joy, I carry it with me to Minneapolis this snowy day.

[ChiefCrowe]

I'm not sure which show Pillow Pants attended but I thought it was an amazing night!! They were having fun and had great chemistry, vocally and musically. All of the songs, new and old sounded fresh and uplifting. I've seen them a few times now and this was definitely one of the best. At one point I was in awe because they were both finger picking and it was completely in sync - nothing amateur about that, in fact it is difficult to pull off. They make songs like Blue sound easy!

I'm having trouble thinking of the best songs because they all were done so well. I even saw Gary a tasty solo while playing the harp! It was nice to see him do a little improvisation as well. Some highlights: Over my Shoulder, Nothing left to Borrow, Saturday Morning, Doves and Stones, Clouds.

Cheers to Gary and Marc for a wonderful evening of music and banter. I cannot wait for the next leg of the tour!

[Factory Girl]

It sounds like PP was tired, stressed and hungry before he even got to the venue and that doesn't put you in the best frame of mind for a show especially if it started late.

[ChiefCrowe]

Well even so, that isn't justification to trash the whole show!

Also, cheers to Mark and Gary for staying to meet the fans afterward! It looked like all of their cds sold out too, a good sign!!

[Factory Girl]

No, you're right but it does goes some way to explain why his review is so different to everyone else's.

[Haggischomper]

Originally Posted by ChiefCrowe

At one point I was in awe because they were both finger picking and it was completely in sync - nothing amateur about that, in fact it is difficult to pull off.

EXACTLY! I was gonna post about that myself as it was the highliht of the nigt for me. There were a couple of songs where I was thinking "Never mind the damn singing, check out that PLAYING". Hellzapoppin'. Bloody Hands is one that springs immediately to mind. I actually found myself thinking on more than a few occasions that, "Hell, this fella Olson is GOOD". I've never really paid much attention to his playing before but the guy is no slouch and I'll not be making that mistake again. WELL PLAYED, sir!

Gary was having an absolute hoot onstage - "I'm stuuuuck" - and spent much time laughing at himself for some harmonica mishaps. Also got a goose in on that radio fella that introduced 'em glowingly. Tight but loose, as they used to say about Led Zep. For all the fun they were having, there was some serious musicianship and singing chops going on up there in contrast to some of the bizarro amateur claims I've read here. Some nice Spanish influence showing through on Gary's playing too - and I much enjoyed his "Na Na Na's"

[Haggischomper]

Originally Posted by Factory Girl

No, you're right but it does goes some way to explain why his review is so different to everyone else's.

Seems like PeePee has poor life organizational skills. He wasn't the only one working that day - hell, Mrs Haggy was up at 4.45am and thoroughly enjoyed the show.