hadn't seen Yo La Tengo in ages...last time was when Blonde Redhead opened up @ the middle east downstairs, at least 8 years ago i'm thinking, and probably more. so i was definitely looking forward to it, esp as the new record's pretty damn strong. opening band Why? had a decent if not arresting sound; unusual lineup w/ 3 guys; on the left was the drummer w/ a vibe set and sometimes sang; middle guy was the main singer, had a keyboard, and a small snare/cymbal; last guy had a guitar and keyboard and played sitting down. somewhat reminiscent of They Might Be Giants.
here's the YLT setlist (w/o encores...they played a bunch of covers, including stuff from the Lyres, Love, Cosmic Rays/Sun Ra ("dreaming"; not the Blondie cover...how many bands have two covers of the same-titled but different songs?), The Scene is Now ("yellow sarong", lovely) and Neil Young (great cover of "Time Fades Away", complete w/ broken string)
'big day coming' was arranged in a sparse manner, but the rest of the songs were pretty faithful. kind of a ballsy move to have the 2nd song the drawn-out drone/freak fest that is 'hatchet' but i think it worked pretty well. obviously i've got my YLT faves which weren't played, but they've got such a strong back catalogue there were no mis-steps (in the coverfest that was the 3 encores, too bad James didn't get to belt out "Bad Politics").
most of the photos are of Ira, mainly because i had the best line of sight to him (despite the unused mic stand in the center of the stage...that thing drove me nuts!).
ira @ the keys:
pink glitter danelectro 12 string:
georgia (she sat a table over from us @ beer works before the show, eating dinner):
a bit soft, but i like the colors:
impromptu horn combo for Mr Tough:
maracas:
snap goes the string:
ira enters the crowd to pummel a heckler while georgia and james look on not really:
more here if you are curious:
http://narlus.zenfolio.com/p360536767/
here's the YLT setlist (w/o encores...they played a bunch of covers, including stuff from the Lyres, Love, Cosmic Rays/Sun Ra ("dreaming"; not the Blondie cover...how many bands have two covers of the same-titled but different songs?), The Scene is Now ("yellow sarong", lovely) and Neil Young (great cover of "Time Fades Away", complete w/ broken string)
'big day coming' was arranged in a sparse manner, but the rest of the songs were pretty faithful. kind of a ballsy move to have the 2nd song the drawn-out drone/freak fest that is 'hatchet' but i think it worked pretty well. obviously i've got my YLT faves which weren't played, but they've got such a strong back catalogue there were no mis-steps (in the coverfest that was the 3 encores, too bad James didn't get to belt out "Bad Politics").
most of the photos are of Ira, mainly because i had the best line of sight to him (despite the unused mic stand in the center of the stage...that thing drove me nuts!).
ira @ the keys:
pink glitter danelectro 12 string:
georgia (she sat a table over from us @ beer works before the show, eating dinner):
a bit soft, but i like the colors:
impromptu horn combo for Mr Tough:
maracas:
snap goes the string:
ira enters the crowd to pummel a heckler while georgia and james look on not really:
more here if you are curious:
http://narlus.zenfolio.com/p360536767/
