concert babblings!

[orangerful]

Okay, so now that I'm conscious (and had a Mr Pibb -- oh excuse me, Pibb Xtra) let me babble:

Last night, jimithingy and I went to the Ramshead Tavern in Annapolis to see Joseph Arthur perform. We ate dinner in the tavern, since the lady at the front desk said Joseph Arthur wouldn't actually be on until 8pm, so we figured eat in the resaurant, get 10% off, and miss whoever the opener was. So we had a nice, leisurly meal (I had a reuben, he had fish & chips). Then we wander over and get seated in the venue area. And it turns out we haven't missed the opener at all. So I think, cool, maybe I'll hear someone knew that I like! I order a mudslide martini (why not?) and get ready to enjoy.

Yeah, she wasn't that great. The first red flag was the keyboard on stage. Not too many people can pull that off. She wasn't really playing the keyboard either, she was using it more as percussion...except she also had a drummer. And she didnt' really sing very well either. She totally killed whatever buzz I had going from my mudslide. I kept myself amused by leaving my glasses off and pretending her bassist was James ("Spike") Marsters.

But anyway! After that was over - Joseph Arthur came out!!! And he had a full band! And an artists! And a theramin! And for some odd reason, they were running 'the day the earth stood still' on the wall behind them.

So, while they were jamming with tunes off the new album and some JA classics, this other guy has a huge piece of poster board stuck up on the wall and he's drawing this face with pastels. Just amazing stuff, scribbling away. Joseph Arthur's shows try to cover as many senses as they can.

Afterwards, for the cool price of $22, we picked up the new CD and - get this - a recording of tonight's show. They had 2 massive CD burners going, churning out copies for everyone. Everyone should do that! And then we got both CDs signed at the end.

Now, usually I'm really cool with going up to artists and talking to them after the show, but Joseph Arthur is one of the few that just intimidates me. He's this really tall guy, and he seems a bit...out there. haha. I don't think I could chill with him, but I really enjoy listening to his music. He's one of those people who seems to think in poetry, he really is the songs that he writes. And that's a bit much for me haha. But still, it was cool to go up to him after the show and say thank you.

Comments

[sideflip1.livejournal.com]

cool about the Joseph Arthur show. everytime i hear his name i think of you b/c you're the one who told me about him! although i've never seen him.

[orangerful.livejournal.com]

he's a bit weird - here's a clip from him on Letterman recently (http://www.josepharthur.com/video/ja-slideaway.html) - but he's really good! He's one of those guys who has tons of talent, a disgusting amount, and just churns out quality songs. Plus, you can leave him on stage all alone with a guitar and he'll be fantastic, or you can put him up there with his band and he's just as good!

[maybemanda.livejournal.com]

wow, cool! let me know if you hear that he is playing in the area again. i would love to see joseph arthur. and death cab, actually.

[orangerful.livejournal.com]

the tour was for his brand new album which had just come out that week, so my guess is he'll swing back this way later on. The ramshead looked packed so I think they would be smart to have him back. He played Jammin Java the next night, but I had to work. We'll definately let you know if he's nearby again.

Death Cab was fun, though I need to learn more of their songs if I go to see them again, since I felt sorta out of the loop. Still a good time but it would be nice to get excited over more than just the big hit. :)