worst day of my life. i'd gotten some terrible news about my father's health that morning. it was really quite scary, literally an emotional rollercoaster. i didn't want to go to the show, i just couldn't get my head around going out & enjoying myself when we just had this awful reality hit us, sucker-punch style. but my dad made me promise that i'd go & joked saying, "i know i ruined your day, but i'm not about to ruin your night too. go. have fun at your concert. you are not welcome in my home tonight."
cue long hot shower & many, many deep breaths.
the venue itself is breathtaking. it's one of those old lowes theaters from the 1920's, very ornate - gold guilding with deep red carpets & curtains. lush. truly one of the most beautiful venues i've been to. we were seated in the 2nd row of the upper lodge, near enough dead center. fantastic seats!
cue the music.
there was no opening act, and really, there didn't need to be. we were all there for one reason and one reason only: monsters of folk (given the label of "super group" in some circles).
this is a band of masters, not monsters. james, oberst & m. ward took turns on lead vocals and all of them played multiple instruments, just like they did on the record. and they broke it down with some solo & duet performances as well. as such they played over 2 and 1/2 hrs straight through, only breaking for a few minutes before coming out for the encore.
the vocals, for all of them were outstanding. as a whole, the harmonies were gloriously perfect. they all have such distinct voices but the way they layer them is sublime. and the changing around of instruments was proof of just how talented each of them is. they each had their time in the spotlight but also relished backing the others when it was not their turn to front. it was quite refreshing to not have an ego war break out. you get the sense that they truly enjoy & respect each other musically and personally. favorite "everyone" song: say please (james, oberst & m. ward taking turns on vocals & mogis ripped out a siiiick guitar solo)
i'm a massive jim james fan so i was in complete ecstacy witnessing his eyes-shut, haunting, soulful singing. the man has pipes. he's got this falsetto that's eerily disarming. he's a brilliant guitarist whether playiing rhythm or lead. he just jams out. i also enjoyed him on bass and piano, something i'd not seen him do live before (only saw mmj once @ the field day festival). and boy does he have crazy feet. i'm not sure what kind of dancing was going on, but he sure was feelin' it. so endearing.
favorite "jim" song: at dawn
conor oberst has a strange quality to his voice that i can't quite pinpoint. but i like it. alot. he's got a way of pausing or holding a note just slightly unexpectedly which gives it a certain dramatic edginess. i actually liked him on bass more than the others. guess it's something to do with that quirky timing thing. lots of energy, this one. he was jumping up on the stacks quite frequently and at one point jumped off backwards so far that he almost knocked his mic over. a nice teetering moment but he didn't miss a beat. favorite "conor' song: ahead of the curve
is there nothing mike mogis cannot play? i was absolutely blown away at the vast variety of instruments this guy played, and played impeccibly. my favorite though, was watching and listening to him on pedal steel. this is the type of instrument that adds an extra layer to a song. before it comes in, the song is really good. but once it comes in, it just takes it to a different plane and you don't want to go back. he seems to be be the complete opposite of arrogant, why, i do not know. he's an absolute genious with everything he touches.
favorite "mike" song: pedal steel on golden
as for m. ward, i knew very little of him pre MoF. and i am very, very ashamed. he, like oberst, has this offbeat timing with his vocals. love, love, love hearing him sing in the lower register. and then he went and did a couple of solo songs - just him & his guitar - that totally blew my mind. his guitar work is other-worldly. i was literally slack-jawed, shaking my head in disbelief at what i was hearing and seeing. surely he has 10 hands. shock and awe.
favorite "m." song: the sandman, the brakeman and me
there were parts that were high tempo & volume, full-on rockin' out; and there were parts that were completely stripped down. but all throughout, the vocals on all parts were outstanding. and the musicianship was top-notch. not overly rehearsed, it didn't sound exactly like the record. which, to me, is the point of going to a live show. it's about being in the moment.
clearly i'm not a professional music critic, i don't know all the fancy technical terms. but i have a keen ear for good music of all types. and what i do know, on a personal level, is that this show 180'd my day. i didn't quite forget about my worries but i was at ease with them. the nerves that had been shred earlier in the day were lulled back into proper form. i was in this beautiful, intimate setting; listening to some of the most lovely music around and it truly healed my heart.
thank you monsters of folk.
