schreiber89
05-31-2009, 10:06 PM
Night 1
The weather cleared up just in time for this one. I was sitting right in the middle of the stage but a good ways back in the grandstand. The first thing I noticed, and I don't know if this is because of my seat or just in general but the sound was MUCH better this year than in 2006.
FTWII - I was surprised this opened because it opened Darien too. I like this song though and the extended jam at the beginning. Surprisingly it was a good way to start the show and got the crowd into it.
Pig - A very pleasant surprise. I thought this may have gone with the spring tour. I heard it at the very first show I went to Fenway N1 2006 and 12 shows later heard it for the second time. Good version, Boyd was a little bit rough at times but Dave didn't fumble the lyrics at all.
Seven - The first time I heard a tape of this from Phoenix I really disliked it. Then I heard the studio version and it started to grow on me a little. This was a great version though and I am really starting to enjoy this song. The band really seems to enjoy playing it too.
Gravedigger - Willie took this song and stabbed it repeatedly and then managed to drain alllll of the energy out of it. I respect him but if youre going to bring him on stage limit him to the guitar solo.
Why I Am - Loved the tapes, loved it even more live. Dave talked about Roi again before this and the crowd really seemed to enjoy it.
BDTH - Loved this, third time seeing it and hasn't gotten old for me yet. Love Rashawn on those backup vocals
Crash Into Me - Being under the grandstand cover it really amplified everyone who sang along really ruined this for me. At least at the end for the dixie chicken outro people don't know the words anymore and thats the best party anyhow.
YMDT - Say what you want about this song and stand up....This is a monster live. I love it and would take it at any show. Im not comparing the two by any means but I was sort of thinking thats its like a new age recently the way everyone solos.
Squirm - It seemed like they had been playing this for years. When they extend the outro it is going to be a monster live. Pretty much sounded exactly like the album version (not a bad thing).
SMTS - Standard version..I wouldn't mind if this song took a break.
ASTB -> TM (fake) -> Ants - I was wondering the entire time if they would do tripping billies, too much or something else. I was surprised to hear ants here. I like how they have been mixing it up. I would like them to occasionally play too much though, it was great last year.
The Dreaming Tree - I love every version of this song and it would take it in any set but this was not the bands most crisp rendition.
Spaceman - I didn't like this the first time I heard it, but it grew on me quickly. I enjoyed this standard version but I think it will be a song we grow tired of soon if the continue playing it every night.
Corn Bread - Highest energy point of the night. Dave doing crazy dances, timmy doing what he does, and a cool horn part. Similar to second half 2008. Fun song to see live especially now that its not an every night thing
Time Bomb - After my first listen to the album this was my favorite song and I really was looking forward to hearing it live. I figure he would go nuts at the end and I was right. Tasteful screams though and a very passionate clean performance of the song.
Jimi Thing - I have been very bored by this song the last few years so I sighed when it started anticipating a 15 minute version and the set time running out. Boy did this change my mind. Coffin was on absolute fire and really brought some life back in this song for me. Please start sing though dave. He let the crowd sing the first and second verse which about half of the audience got wrong.
Grey Street - As good as it can be without the third verse. Very standard version. I like the variety closing the show though.
Rye Whiskey - Fun little song, I enjoyed it and Dave clearly does as well.
Everyday - I don't mind hearing this song at all but I thought that it was strange placement. Standard version though performed well.
AATW - This was the best song of the night for me. Incredible energy and tims stairway solo was incredible. This is THE best way to close a show.
Night 2
Dave was having problems with his voice tonight. He frequently went to his tea even in the middle of songs. Too bad but it really didnt become evident until the end of the show.
PNP -> Rapunzel - Expected this or DDTW. Guy behind me kept yelling they would play bartender even though the 6 string was out. Standard version which is a very good thing. Loved it as an opener. Just for the record this works perfectly anywhere in a set.
AP - Very excited to hear this. I knew they soundchecked so I was expecting it. It was very good and was played pretty much the same as it sounds on the album. Sounded fine without a banjo, but with an extended jam and a guest on banjo this could be pretty special. Reminds me a bit of the riff on hello again.
DDTW - This was a standard version except dave did a falsetto instead of a scream on the first chorus. I liked that, sort of like the CP set up.
Seven - Would have rather heard LITHOG or SMLAM instead of this again but like I said before this has grown on me quite a bit. I think the N1 version was a little tighter.
Gravedigger - SEE ABOVE :BANG
So Damn Lucky - Same as last year. Im really glad they kept the extended outro around its fantastic.
FTWII - Again I thought N1 version was a little more crisp. First song that the crowd really seemed to get into, at least where I was sitting.
Dancing Nancies - I love this song but this version took a little bit to get going. Boyd's solo was very uninspired I felt until Dave gave him a little nod to go up to the edge of the stage. The crowd immedeatley reacted and then the song exploded. I was dying to see warehouse after this and Dave had his hand ready when it ended for what seemed like five seconds before the lights went off. Oh well. This was slow starting but ended up being a very high energy performance.
Why I Am - Same as the night before which is a good thing.
Spaceman - Again I fear that this song can't handle the amount its being played. Would have preferred something else here but a good version nonetheless.
#41 - I thought Trey would do this with them but they didn't need him. Yes I realize this is always a monster but I feel the need to point it out again. Coffin is really fitting in nicely with this band. Much better without the ED outro.
Rhyme and Reason - Surprised to hear this so late in the set. Great version though, same horn part as last year which I love.
Squirm - Even better then N1. Extended the outro a bit. This is going to a monster.
Crush - Same as #41 in how we expect this to a monster performance. The crowd was terrible on this though, they tried to break into chorus prematurely twice during the first verse. Oh well. The jam was standard which is excellent for this song.
Time Bomb - Couldn't really tell a difference from N1. I really enjoy this song live.
Two Step - Standard but excellent. Carter went crazy for at least 3 minutes.
Dirty Water - Knew something like this was coming. Im not a red sox fan but it was still fun to hear and the place went crazy. Daves voice was a little rough on this though by this point in the night.
Stay - I know nobody likes it to close but so what? Its an enjoyable song and they played a clean version. Would have rather heard tripping billies here though.
Overall it was two fantastic nights. I really enjoyed hearing all the new music for the first time. I think I have to give the edge to N1 just for personal preference in set. A final note: I dont know anything about the sound at concerts but I seemed to think a couple times both nights that Jeff needed to be louder. Maybe it was where I was sitting, or maybe I dont know what im talking about, or maybe Im right. Just an observation.
Best Song: AATW
Best Solo: Jeff Jimi/Carter Two Step
Best Jam: Dancing Nancies
The weather cleared up just in time for this one. I was sitting right in the middle of the stage but a good ways back in the grandstand. The first thing I noticed, and I don't know if this is because of my seat or just in general but the sound was MUCH better this year than in 2006.
FTWII - I was surprised this opened because it opened Darien too. I like this song though and the extended jam at the beginning. Surprisingly it was a good way to start the show and got the crowd into it.
Pig - A very pleasant surprise. I thought this may have gone with the spring tour. I heard it at the very first show I went to Fenway N1 2006 and 12 shows later heard it for the second time. Good version, Boyd was a little bit rough at times but Dave didn't fumble the lyrics at all.
Seven - The first time I heard a tape of this from Phoenix I really disliked it. Then I heard the studio version and it started to grow on me a little. This was a great version though and I am really starting to enjoy this song. The band really seems to enjoy playing it too.
Gravedigger - Willie took this song and stabbed it repeatedly and then managed to drain alllll of the energy out of it. I respect him but if youre going to bring him on stage limit him to the guitar solo.
Why I Am - Loved the tapes, loved it even more live. Dave talked about Roi again before this and the crowd really seemed to enjoy it.
BDTH - Loved this, third time seeing it and hasn't gotten old for me yet. Love Rashawn on those backup vocals
Crash Into Me - Being under the grandstand cover it really amplified everyone who sang along really ruined this for me. At least at the end for the dixie chicken outro people don't know the words anymore and thats the best party anyhow.
YMDT - Say what you want about this song and stand up....This is a monster live. I love it and would take it at any show. Im not comparing the two by any means but I was sort of thinking thats its like a new age recently the way everyone solos.
Squirm - It seemed like they had been playing this for years. When they extend the outro it is going to be a monster live. Pretty much sounded exactly like the album version (not a bad thing).
SMTS - Standard version..I wouldn't mind if this song took a break.
ASTB -> TM (fake) -> Ants - I was wondering the entire time if they would do tripping billies, too much or something else. I was surprised to hear ants here. I like how they have been mixing it up. I would like them to occasionally play too much though, it was great last year.
The Dreaming Tree - I love every version of this song and it would take it in any set but this was not the bands most crisp rendition.
Spaceman - I didn't like this the first time I heard it, but it grew on me quickly. I enjoyed this standard version but I think it will be a song we grow tired of soon if the continue playing it every night.
Corn Bread - Highest energy point of the night. Dave doing crazy dances, timmy doing what he does, and a cool horn part. Similar to second half 2008. Fun song to see live especially now that its not an every night thing
Time Bomb - After my first listen to the album this was my favorite song and I really was looking forward to hearing it live. I figure he would go nuts at the end and I was right. Tasteful screams though and a very passionate clean performance of the song.
Jimi Thing - I have been very bored by this song the last few years so I sighed when it started anticipating a 15 minute version and the set time running out. Boy did this change my mind. Coffin was on absolute fire and really brought some life back in this song for me. Please start sing though dave. He let the crowd sing the first and second verse which about half of the audience got wrong.
Grey Street - As good as it can be without the third verse. Very standard version. I like the variety closing the show though.
Rye Whiskey - Fun little song, I enjoyed it and Dave clearly does as well.
Everyday - I don't mind hearing this song at all but I thought that it was strange placement. Standard version though performed well.
AATW - This was the best song of the night for me. Incredible energy and tims stairway solo was incredible. This is THE best way to close a show.
Night 2
Dave was having problems with his voice tonight. He frequently went to his tea even in the middle of songs. Too bad but it really didnt become evident until the end of the show.
PNP -> Rapunzel - Expected this or DDTW. Guy behind me kept yelling they would play bartender even though the 6 string was out. Standard version which is a very good thing. Loved it as an opener. Just for the record this works perfectly anywhere in a set.
AP - Very excited to hear this. I knew they soundchecked so I was expecting it. It was very good and was played pretty much the same as it sounds on the album. Sounded fine without a banjo, but with an extended jam and a guest on banjo this could be pretty special. Reminds me a bit of the riff on hello again.
DDTW - This was a standard version except dave did a falsetto instead of a scream on the first chorus. I liked that, sort of like the CP set up.
Seven - Would have rather heard LITHOG or SMLAM instead of this again but like I said before this has grown on me quite a bit. I think the N1 version was a little tighter.
Gravedigger - SEE ABOVE :BANG
So Damn Lucky - Same as last year. Im really glad they kept the extended outro around its fantastic.
FTWII - Again I thought N1 version was a little more crisp. First song that the crowd really seemed to get into, at least where I was sitting.
Dancing Nancies - I love this song but this version took a little bit to get going. Boyd's solo was very uninspired I felt until Dave gave him a little nod to go up to the edge of the stage. The crowd immedeatley reacted and then the song exploded. I was dying to see warehouse after this and Dave had his hand ready when it ended for what seemed like five seconds before the lights went off. Oh well. This was slow starting but ended up being a very high energy performance.
Why I Am - Same as the night before which is a good thing.
Spaceman - Again I fear that this song can't handle the amount its being played. Would have preferred something else here but a good version nonetheless.
#41 - I thought Trey would do this with them but they didn't need him. Yes I realize this is always a monster but I feel the need to point it out again. Coffin is really fitting in nicely with this band. Much better without the ED outro.
Rhyme and Reason - Surprised to hear this so late in the set. Great version though, same horn part as last year which I love.
Squirm - Even better then N1. Extended the outro a bit. This is going to a monster.
Crush - Same as #41 in how we expect this to a monster performance. The crowd was terrible on this though, they tried to break into chorus prematurely twice during the first verse. Oh well. The jam was standard which is excellent for this song.
Time Bomb - Couldn't really tell a difference from N1. I really enjoy this song live.
Two Step - Standard but excellent. Carter went crazy for at least 3 minutes.
Dirty Water - Knew something like this was coming. Im not a red sox fan but it was still fun to hear and the place went crazy. Daves voice was a little rough on this though by this point in the night.
Stay - I know nobody likes it to close but so what? Its an enjoyable song and they played a clean version. Would have rather heard tripping billies here though.
Overall it was two fantastic nights. I really enjoyed hearing all the new music for the first time. I think I have to give the edge to N1 just for personal preference in set. A final note: I dont know anything about the sound at concerts but I seemed to think a couple times both nights that Jeff needed to be louder. Maybe it was where I was sitting, or maybe I dont know what im talking about, or maybe Im right. Just an observation.
Best Song: AATW
Best Solo: Jeff Jimi/Carter Two Step
Best Jam: Dancing Nancies