Last Night: Jim James, M. Ward, Conor Oberst, and the Monsters of Folk Could Have Used "One Big Holiday" at The Paramount
Chris Kornelis Conor Oberst, Jim James, and M. Ward -- Monsters of Folk -- played The Paramount Theatre on Thursday, October 15.
I went into the Monsters of Folk show -- yes, that vanity project featuring Conor Oberst (Bright Eyes), Jim James (My Morning Jacket), and M. Ward -- with low expectations, but with a glimmer of hope that I was about to be surprised. It was the same feeling I had when I went to see Sheryl Crow at Bumbershoot. So, let me get this out of the way early: The set was better than I expected, the show/tour was pitched incorrectly, and I would have enjoyed it better if it had been an hour shorter.
Here's what I was thinking about during the nearly three hours of entertainment:
8 p.m.: Apparently their names aren't as bankable as their voices. This place looks barely half full. Did they really assume that people were going to equate "Yim Yames" with "Off The Record," "Gideon," and "Dancefloors"?
8:20: This is already more interesting than their record. Lots more energy.
8:45: M. Ward's soulful vocals have taken on a gospel feeling. He can sound strained and affected on record, but tonight he sounds genuine and sincere.
9:00: This isn't a Monsters of Folk show as much as it is solo sets from James, Oberst, and Ward, with lots of collaboration, and it's pretty cool. Had the solo sets -- not the mediocre album -- been the focal point of the sales pitch, I think we would have seen fewer empty seats.
9:15: "Smokin' From Shootin'" sounded great, but I can already tell this set is going to need a lot more My Morning Jacket.
9:20: Next to Ward and James, Oberst really spits his uninflected vocals.
9:30: Wow, people really must thought there was going to be an opening act. The show's half over, kids.
10:00: Damn, they really are going to play soft, acoustic lullabies for an hour straight. So much for mixing it up. Every time they get something going they break up the momentum. It's not that they don't sound good, it's that the set lacks nuance. They just keep stacking up the harmonies, and I'm about to fall asleep.
10:10: I am asleep.
10:15: Alright, I'm back, but only because I feel like we're about to hear "One Big Holiday."
10:30: I was mistaken. And now we're headed into an encore, and the only way they're going to right this set for me is if they melt the stage upon their return.
10:54: Nope. The curtain dropped (literally), and the set never fully took off. Yes, parts were great. But, well, the show was nearly three hours long, it was painfully slow for large spans of time, and there was no (official) intermission.
8 comment(s)
BH says:
You obviously wanted to see a My Morning Jacket show not a Monsters of Folk show, so why did you even go, "with low expectations". Strange.
The other day I was thinking how much I disliked brussel sprouts but I went to the store and bought some, cooked them and ate them, and decided I really wish I had purchased carrots instead.
Posted On: Friday, Oct. 16 2009 @ 6:27AM
Dori says:
Dude, what show were YOU at last night? The show I was at was a mixture of some fine folk, rock & roll, and a knee-slappin' hoedown. Fingers flew over (seemingly) 5,000 different guitars, sparks flew from mandolins... at times it looked like M. Ward had 6 fingers on his right hand. My 14 year-old floated all the way home to Gig Harbor on Cloud 9.
Posted On: Friday, Oct. 16 2009 @ 8:36AM
Johnny says:
I agree with Dori: What friggin' show was Chris at.. ..and was Chris expecting a MMJ style throw down. If so, your at the wrong show buddy. This was a singer/songwriters PARADISE! Amazing songs, amazing collaborations.. It really did blow my mind. The 3 different styles of Conor, Jim and M.Ward really melded and shined with all the interplay....
Posted On: Friday, Oct. 16 2009 @ 9:31AM
Chris K says:
Good points. But it's not so much that I was looking for an MMJ show. I just think they could have added some harder numbers to break up the monotony a bit. I think the unenthusiastic call for an encore spoke to the audience fatigue at the end of the show, no?
Posted On: Friday, Oct. 16 2009 @ 11:14AM
Dori says:
As for "harder numbers"... Again, on some of those "hoedown" numbers, they were absolutely sizzling. The encore, however, WAS interesting, but here's why: In over 35 years of attending (or being involved in the production of) live theatre and music performances, I recall only 2 other calls that were lengthier: Prince (Purple Rain tour) and Talking Heads (night 2 of Stop Making Sense filming). My take on it is as follows(and I'd love to hear what others think): Bands and audiences have become so jaded and so silly, that it takes about 15 seconds of applause before the performers return to the stage. Bands don't really get to experience a genuine call to step out again (deserving or not), and audiences need only let out a yip and clap enough to turn the lights on at home. My POINT - We all worked bloody hard for that encore last night, and well we should have - the MONSTERS blistered their fingers for all of us (and I'm convinced M. Ward has 6 fingers on his right hand!) for 3 long hours. I truly believe that spoiled concert-goers were struck dumb at having to go a 3rd round of foot-stomping and thunderous clapping. You bet we were exhausted, but round 3 it was. My son's hands were actually numb. It was all very karmic, frankly. And so, you're wrong again, Chris. Say "uncle"!
Posted On: Friday, Oct. 16 2009 @ 12:06PM
patrick says:
this new album is one of my fav's. 'ahead of the curve', 'dear god' and 'temazcal' are incredible. I did the rest of the album as well. I'm a big big fan of Conor, Mogis & M Ward. I wish I was at the show last night. Showbox would have been a better venue though. Nothing against the Paramount. What's up with the snarky attitude Chris? These dudes are legends & are putting out incredible music, and their tour is very new - I'm sure they'll tinker with the setlist & tempo changes. Shout out to Dori for the Prince mention. Prince rules.
Posted On: Friday, Oct. 16 2009 @ 12:49PM
Mike says:
A timeline, really? As soon I they started playing I never once thought to look at my watch. I understand the gripe about people coming in late sitting near the back on the isle I was constantly being asked to let people into the row. Other than that I got lost in the incredible music. I am grateful that my buddy had an extra ticket and that I had the opportunity to witness some of the best musical talent I have ever heard.
Posted On: Friday, Oct. 16 2009 @ 2:47PM
Jill says:
Well I'm definitely in the minority I guess. A friend of mine had an extra ticket and I went. Left after an hour. I definitely appreciated their musicianship, but Jesus Christ they put me to sleep. Not my thing I guess.
Posted On: Friday, Oct. 16 2009 @ 6:46PM