Brad Fanviews - Chicago,IL October 3, 2010

HeavyHandsHeavyHands Posts: 2,130
edited January 2011 in Given To Fly (live)
IMG_9861-1.jpg

Opener
Happy Chichester
Setlist Incomplete
That's Just How That Bird Sings
Alcohol

Chichester played around ten songs or so. Most were songs I didn't know, but he opened with a killer version of That's Just How That Bird Sings from the first Twilight Singers album. He sang all three parts and did a great job with it. Shawn Smith did not join him on stage for his part during this song. Happy was very animated and sounded great. He did the set completely solo, with the first few songs on guitar before transitioning over to keyboard. The keyboard he was playing had a very funky Stevie Wonder-type of sound to it and he played very percussively.

IMG_9864-1.jpg

Main Act
Brad - Full Band

1st Set
    Isn't That Right Bless Me Father Every Whisper Low La la la Buttercup Never Let Each Other Down 20th Century*/Nadine (not a medley, both songs were played in-full, back to back) Lift

*short break*

Shawn Smith solo
Smith came back out by himself and made a joke about getting an extra hundred dollars for playing a song by himself.
    Wrapped In Memory/Crown of Thorns** (both songs were played in-full, back to back with a Wrapped In Memory call back at the very end)

Full Band
2nd Set
    Taking It Easy Secret Girl Screen***

*short break*

IMG_9871-1.jpg

Shawn Smith solo
    Day Brings Purple Rain/Suffering

IMG_9876-1.jpg

IMG_9878-1.jpg

Observations
Happy Chichester accompanied the band providing backing vocals, playing keyboards, and acoustic guitar throughout the set. The band took the stage pretty directly and got right into their set.

Having seen Brad twice before (in 1997 and 1998) in different (larger) venues I can say that it was really surprising to see them playing on such a small stage. It definitely was not a step backwards for them, however. The club sounded great and they were very tight as a band. You'd never know that they've taken years off between albums or touring. Regan Hagar doesn't look like he's aged a day. He sounded awesome and the proximity of his kit to the crowd was not overwhelming or muddying to the sound at all.

There were the seemingly requisite people yelling out song titles during gaps between the band playing, which is annoying, but sometimes Smith embraced an idea and sometimes the band did what they wanted. At least I didn't hear anyone yelling Pearl Jam song titles this time.

From the setlist you can see that they didn't really bring a whole lot of Satchel songs along to this show (as I remembering them doing in 1997), but that's fine considering their catalog is now 4.5 albums deep. It was a pleasure to see such a wonderful band in such a small venue. This is something I don't get to do very often and I am exceptionally glad I went.

*If you've got the chance some time, take a look at Gossard's left hand as he plays 20th Century. It's amazing to me how he keeps that rhythm up for the entire song. His dexterity is really something to behold.

**Crown of Thorns was not played in a straight forward or standard way. Smith adopted the lyrical phrasings to fit the tempo of Wrapped In Memory. It was a really unique take on a song I've heard hundreds of times, but somehow haven't ever tired of. The crowd really responded to him once they realized what he was doing.

***Screen is a real killer live. Gossard got really into this song (as, to me, it is such a great opportunity to flex his abilities as a soloist).
"A lot more people are capable of being big out there that just don't give themselves a chance." -Stone Gossard
Post edited by Unknown User on

Comments

  • cincybearcatcincybearcat Posts: 16,617
    Would have loved to have seen them in Chicago.

    I had to see them in Des Moines opening for BoH and the set was great but too short.

    Also, I'm a huge Happy fan so disappointed that I didn't get to see any of him solo. He's a great entertainer.

    Anyway, loved Brad's short set in Des Moines and it is better than nothing. Sounds like Chicago was awesome.
    hippiemom = goodness
  • was the show this morning or last night - ?

    I also saw them in DSM - and it was a good set. This set looks much nicer though!
  • HeavyHandsHeavyHands Posts: 2,130
    was the show this morning or last night - ?

    The show was Sunday night, the night of October 3, 2010. I didn't post anything until this morning, the day of the 4th.
    "A lot more people are capable of being big out there that just don't give themselves a chance." -Stone Gossard
  • Empty GlassEmpty Glass In Rob's shed Posts: 12,329
    Lift!!

    Nice!!!
    I've met Rob

    DEGENERATE FUK

    This place is dead

    "THERE ARE NO CLIQUES, ONLY THOSE WHO DON'T JOIN THE FUN" - Empty circa 2015

    "Kfsbho&$thncds" - F Me In the Brain - circa 2015
  • TeddyledbetterTeddyledbetter Seattle, WA Posts: 475
    Fantastic night- My first night ever at the Double Door.
    (Jason thanks for the hook-up!)
    The security guy Jerome/Jermaine was so cool Thanks much!
    I had hurt my back and he hooked me up with a stool by the bar- perfect spot.
    I recorded a few songs on video (Teddyledbetter on youtube) but my sound is horrible.
    Anyone get a good audio recording as I'd love to make a better version.

    Every Whisper was a sweet song live, Crown of Thorns was a really great treat,
    Purple Rain at the end was pretty cool!

    Would have liked to have heard Without Regret as that seems to be on my playlist a lot lately!
  • that's a most excellent poster

    were they selling any other merch?
    i have a paper here that entitles me to fast track status
  • HeavyHandsHeavyHands Posts: 2,130
    were they selling any other merch?

    A friend of mine picked up the poster for me after the show. He told me that the guy behind the merchandise stand told him there was another poster available. When my friend asked to see it, the guy told him it was only available if you bought a copy of Brad's cd Best Friends? My friend asked to see the poster and the guy wouldn't even show it to him.

    He thought that was kind of bs so he said "no thanks" and walked away.

    When you think about it, that's kind of a foolish way to get someone interested in purchasing a poster. I'm willing to bet that the people at that show (like myself) had already purchased the cd weeks ago. Why would they want another?

    Just an opinion.
    "A lot more people are capable of being big out there that just don't give themselves a chance." -Stone Gossard
  • in DSM they gave us a couple posters when we bought a t shirt
  • HeavyHandsHeavyHands Posts: 2,130
    in DSM they gave us a couple posters when we bought a t shirt

    Where is DSM and what did the poster look like? Can you post a picture of it?
    "A lot more people are capable of being big out there that just don't give themselves a chance." -Stone Gossard
  • Informative review, thanks. I'm guessing Shawn did a good few solo songs so he didn't have to sing hard to compete over the guitars and drums due to his voice being sub-par this tour (he is unwell).
    My Pearl Jam shows: 1 in 1995, 2 in 1998, 20 in 2003, 13 in 2006, 3 in 2007, 8 in 2008, 5 in 2009, 4 in 2010, 5 in 2012. EV: 8 in 2011, 1 in 2012. Brad: 1 in 1998, 1 in 2002.
  • cincybearcatcincybearcat Posts: 16,617
    Informative review, thanks. I'm guessing Shawn did a good few solo songs so he didn't have to sing hard to compete over the guitars and drums due to his voice being sub-par this tour (he is unwell).

    Maybe I'm remembering incorrectly, but it seems to me that he usually does some solo stuff. I know he did when he played a few shows with From the North or whatever they called that band.
    hippiemom = goodness
  • awesome review!

    i'm kinda sad i didn't get to see 1 show on that tiny tour

    i think brad should play at the pj summer festival. yup.
  • HeavyHandsHeavyHands Posts: 2,130
    i think brad should play at the pj summer festival. yup.

    It would also be an awesome experience to see Shawn Smith front MLB for a few songs like he did last year (I think it was last year)...
    "A lot more people are capable of being big out there that just don't give themselves a chance." -Stone Gossard
Sign In or Register to comment.