Its no secret that M Ward is a favorite here at Each Note Secure. Transfigurations of Vincent is in my top 10 albums of all time and Post War is not far from it. So, when I found out he would be back at Little Brothers, the Columbus bar where I saw him almost two years ago, I jumped at the chance to take in the show. It seemed that it was a bad night for anything but Ohio State football in Columbus though and my wife and I enjoyed a quiet dinner in a nice Italian joint downtown beforehand.
Since the game between OSU and Texas was in Austin, all the Buckeye fans were partying it up in their homes or in sports bars around the city. This made for an easy way into the city and a nice parking spot at Little Brothers as well. However, our timing was a bit off and we actually waited outside for the doors to open for a good 35 minutes. This gave us the opportunity to sit on the floor inside a chairless venue for another hour plus as the openers, Oakley Hall tuned up and finally hit the stage.
I wrote about Oakley Hall this week and mentioned Neil Young. I take that back now, they are nothing like that. What they are is a 5 piece with male/female harmonies on most tunes, a bit of a bluegrass sound and lots of guitar. They played a decent set, it was enough of an appetizer to prepare me for M Ward.
When Matt came out the lights were very low and I was about halfway back in the venue, I knew my picture taking abilities tonight would be sparse and I didnt care. So instead of trying to inch up for a few shots I mostly stayed in my place and took in the set. M Ward and his band consisted of his steady drummer, Rachel Blumberg, formerly of the Decemberists, Adam Selzer of Norfolk and Western, and two other guys I didnt recongnize, thought he bass player could have easily stepped into the role of Biology teacher in a heartbeat. Most of the tunes were from the aformentioned Post War and were very tight despite a lot of talking in the crowd during the set. It seems the crowd was a bit more interested in celebrating the OSU win than enjoying the set at times, though it was not too much of a distraction.
Matt seemed less than at his best though on this night, and it could have been due to the energy from the audience being sparse though the numbers of the people in attendance wasnt bad. Still, we were treated to a great tune in “Flaming Heart” from the early M Ward album, End of Amnesia. The night was also highlighted by the wonderful guitar playing and instrumental work the band showed off in the middle of the set, hitting us up with two great tunes minus vocals. Helicopter made the set, a personal favorite of mine, as did Big Boat, from Transistor Radio. It was about this time that I decided I couldnt leave town without one or two photos and crept about halfway up to take some. I took a few and then noticed 3 looming signs across the front of the stage, see below. I guess photos arent Matts thing.
The setlist is also pictured below, and the Encore is a bit off. Matt did indeed play Story of an Artist, which he hilariously dedicated to “everyone out there that doesnt care who won the football game” but Dead Man, and Ill Be Your Bird did not make the set, which tells me M Ward and his band were ready to get out of the football crazed town and make for greener pastures. Even so, I wouldnt take it back, but its does make me long for another M Ward show, maybe here in Cincinnati, at the Taft, now that would be a gem.
Technorati Tags: M Ward, Transfigurations of Vincent, Little Brothers, Ohio State, Oakley Hall, Norfolk and Western, Post War, Cincinnati
