Carney - part Jeff Buckley, Queen, Beatles...and Spiderman?
walkunafraid
Posts: 2,613
On a whim, I went out to the El Rey in Los Angeles last night to see a band called Carney. It is a four-piece band fronted by Reeve Carney (the same Reeve Carney who acted in Snow Falling in Cedars). His brother (Zane) is also a guitarist in the band.
Totally fucking blown away. I had seen them a few years earlier as an opening band, and I was instantly struck by how much Reeve reminded me of Jeff Buckley. His voice, his mannerisms, even his looks...the similarities are pretty eerie, but also very endearing. So when I heard they were playing a send-off show in L.A., I decided I had to go.
They ended up playing until 1 a.m. and totally affirming my interest in them. In addition to their original songs, they played an amazing cover of The Beatles' "She's So Heavy," and Reeve even had the balls to pull out a solo, acoustic version of Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody." Not an easy feat, but he pulled it off pretty well.
The highlight of the night, though, was a cover of Jeff Buckley's "Dream Brother." Reeve had previously stated that he would never cover Buckley (out of respect -- he had heard the comparisons and didn't feel he could ever live up to Buckley the performer). But, he indicated that this was a special request from Buckley's mother, and it was brilliant. I can say with great confidence that it is the closest I will ever get to seeing Jeff Buckley in person.
The only downer was learning that the band (who has made L.A. its home for gigs over the last 5+ years) is leaving SoCal. They are heading off to New York, where Reeve has been cast as Broadway's first Spiderman in an upcoming theatrical version of the comic. Big news for Reeve (and the band, who are going to be part of the pit orchestra for the play), but bad news for me (since they won't be back down for at least a year).
If you are in New York, I would definitely suggest you check out the band if you get the chance. Supposedly they will still be playing gigs in New York in addition to the Spiderman thing. Here are a few clips in case you are intrigued (none from last night, as no videos have surfaced yet):
She's So Heavy (Beatles cover): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xR6ioiN3mBY
Bohemian Rhapsody (Queen cover): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9w4hd-HqMk
Testify (Carney original -- it will blow you away, guaranteed!): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7hk9lAIfEc
Totally fucking blown away. I had seen them a few years earlier as an opening band, and I was instantly struck by how much Reeve reminded me of Jeff Buckley. His voice, his mannerisms, even his looks...the similarities are pretty eerie, but also very endearing. So when I heard they were playing a send-off show in L.A., I decided I had to go.
They ended up playing until 1 a.m. and totally affirming my interest in them. In addition to their original songs, they played an amazing cover of The Beatles' "She's So Heavy," and Reeve even had the balls to pull out a solo, acoustic version of Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody." Not an easy feat, but he pulled it off pretty well.
The highlight of the night, though, was a cover of Jeff Buckley's "Dream Brother." Reeve had previously stated that he would never cover Buckley (out of respect -- he had heard the comparisons and didn't feel he could ever live up to Buckley the performer). But, he indicated that this was a special request from Buckley's mother, and it was brilliant. I can say with great confidence that it is the closest I will ever get to seeing Jeff Buckley in person.
The only downer was learning that the band (who has made L.A. its home for gigs over the last 5+ years) is leaving SoCal. They are heading off to New York, where Reeve has been cast as Broadway's first Spiderman in an upcoming theatrical version of the comic. Big news for Reeve (and the band, who are going to be part of the pit orchestra for the play), but bad news for me (since they won't be back down for at least a year).
If you are in New York, I would definitely suggest you check out the band if you get the chance. Supposedly they will still be playing gigs in New York in addition to the Spiderman thing. Here are a few clips in case you are intrigued (none from last night, as no videos have surfaced yet):
She's So Heavy (Beatles cover): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xR6ioiN3mBY
Bohemian Rhapsody (Queen cover): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9w4hd-HqMk
Testify (Carney original -- it will blow you away, guaranteed!): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7hk9lAIfEc
Everything has chains...Absolutely nothing's changed. - PJ
“The only way to deal with an unfree world is to become so absolutely free that your very existence is an act of rebellion.” - Albert Camus
“The only way to deal with an unfree world is to become so absolutely free that your very existence is an act of rebellion.” - Albert Camus
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