Three Way News: I'm sure loud and fast ruled

Tuesday, January 03, 2006

I'm sure loud and fast ruled

A friend of mine, who for blog purposes is known as "Old Ben" even tho he is quite a bit younger than I am, was amazed that I did not attend the Christmas Eve Soul Asylum show at 1st Ave and promised to write a review for me. Since he was kind enough to actually follow thru with that I figure the least I can do is pass it along to a wider audience for him. Hammer is a bigger SA fan than I am, I was always more of a Trip Shakespeare kind of guy, but I don't if he was at the show. I'm sure I'll find out soon. In any case, here is Old Ben's review:

"Soul Asylum did what it does best on Friday December 23, 2005 – play inspired, no frills rock shows at First Avenue on or around a holiday. This past endeavor was no exception. What was exceptional was that it was done without longtime bassist Karl Mueller, who died this past summer after a long battle with throat cancer. His replacement, Tommy Stinson, formerly of the ‘Mats, Guns N’ Roses (apparently) and a slew of other irrelevant projects, did a fine job in his place. While Mueller never spoke at Soul Asylum gigs, Stinson was difficult to keep quiet, talking up a storm, singing backup and bouncing all over the stage. It was a welcome addition – not to take anything away from Mueller, but Stinson helped bring levity that was needed to Dave Pirner and Dan Murphy, the two remaining original members of the band, who over the past decade have had a propensity to take themselves too seriously onstage and off. And new drummer Michael Bland was fantastic as advertised – making the SA rhythm section something to behold. Most of the newer songs went well (“Crazy Mixed-Up World,” “Lately,” “All is Well,” “Bus Named Desire,” etc.). The newer version of older new song “Oxygen” left much to be desired though. An unfortunate change in the lyrics is threatening to make this fantastic song an also-ran on the next record (in addition the studio version of “Oxygen,” which used to be available on MP3.com, is frankly, limp compared to the soulful wailing of the live versions). Newer songs that were missing, unfortunately, were “Freak Accident” and “Showtime” – hopefully these will be on the next record. As for the older stuff, Cartoon was fantastic as usual, and Closer to the Stars and Somebody to Shove rarely disappoint. They need to bring back McCartney’s “Silly Love Songs” trailer at the end of “Misery,” and need to be brave enough to omit “Runaway Train” every now and then from their setlist – the housefraus who came for their favorite Cities 97 song need to be disappointed from time to time. And not to sound too much like an older fan, but every now and then they could play some different older tunes – supplant “Closer to the Stars” with “Passing Sad Daydream,” or trade “Just Like Anyone” for “Be On Your Way,” or simply appease me and play “Ain’t That Tough,” “Can’t Go Back” and “Sun Don’t Shine.” Just a little change would be welcome. And play “Rhinestone Cowboy,” every show, no exceptions. But they absolutely blew the doors off with “Slowly Rising,” which is a song I love more every time I hear it. Here’s the setlist:

All is Well

Bittersweet Heart

Misery

Bus Named Desire

Success Is Not So Sweet

”The Pants Are Too Tight” Jam

Black Gold

So Close

Standing in Water

Cartoon

Stand Up & Be Strong

That's What You Need

Crazy Mixed-up World

Runaway Train

Closer To The Stars

Lately

Oxygen

Just Like Anyone

encore:

Summer of Drugs

Somebody Too Shove

Slowly Rising"

2 Comments:

Tommy Stinson, formerly of the ‘Mats, Guns N’ Roses (apparently) and a slew of other irrelevant projects

Including the forgettable Bash & Pop, featuring guitarist Steve Brantseg, formerly of The Phones. This means nothing to anybody, I just like to bring up Brantseg's name whenever I can. I was the one guy who actually bought the Phones lp "Changing Minds."

By Joey de Vivre, at 6:19 AM