Going to lots of concerts can at many times be similar to playing the lottery, you never know what you might get but have the potential to hit it big. Ive been to many shows and got just what I expected, a solid performance from the band, or maybe an above average one and a great crowd. Of course there are also many shows on the flip side of that coin where the crowd is slim or annoying beyond belief, this usually affects the performer on stage.
Last night I kinda feel like I had a winning ticket. I got to the Joseph Arthur gig a bit late and missed the opener, by the time I got to the gig things were in full swing though, and Arthur and his band were already having fun. The 20th Century is a mostly sitting venue but there was a group of about 30 diehards standing down in front mouthing the words to every song. Arthur thanked everyone at the end of the set and then stepped away, of course to return for the ever predictable encore. This, however, is when things changed a bit.
I decided to get a closer look for the encore and attempt a couple pictures since though it was pretty dark in the place. JA first played a couple tunes solo, including “In the Sun” and seemed to be thriving off the energy being pushed back at him by the diehards. He played 3 straight tunes from his first album, Big City Secrets. He then invited the band back on stage and continued to play, ……for another hour. A rare show where the encore was longer than the actual planned set. JA was hitting on all cylinders as well, bantering with his bandmates and the crowd, standing on top of the drum kit, putting a shoal over his head and singing from beneath it, performing a “duo” with a manquien head on his shoulder etc etc. Towards the end of the encore, Arthur joked “We have broken Elvis golden rule, always leave them wanting more, these guys (the crowd) couldnt possibly be wanting more at this point”. The thing is, if he would have continued, I dont think any of us would have budged.
If you still dont have Nuclear Daydream for some reason, go grab it now.
Technorati Tags: Joseph Arthur, In the Sun
Oct 12, 2006Hey Joe,
Good to see you at the JA show. It was awesome! I agree with Chuck that Redemptions Son/Our Shadows will Remain are better albums (as a whole), but I’m continually impressed by his talent and there are some really good tracks on the new album.
I’m not usually a singer/songwriter person, but his songs are so good, I’ll leave my prejudices aside…
::stephen::
Apr 25, 2007This musician is truly one of the best singer songwriters in the world today.(Up there with Lennon and Dylan)
I disagree with the other comments made that said ‘Nuclear daydreams wasn’t as good as his previous CD’s ‘Shadows will Remain’ and ‘Redemption Son’. I think it’s even better, but his best ever album has got to be ‘Come to Where I’m From’ which is straight from the heart ….directly to the heart.
Best live musician that I have been fortunate to see live…….without a doubt.
1:56 pm
Thanks for the concert update. Joseph is my favorite musical discovery of the past year. Unfortunately I was out of the country on Tuesday. Wish I could have been there. How was the crowd? Was the show full? I hope it sold well so he will come back.
I like Nuclear Daydream, but not quite as much as “Our Shadows Will Remain” or “Redemptions Son”. He’s an amazing songwriter and arranger – some of the most unique stuff I’ve heard in years.