Phlying Her Phreak Phlag Proudly. . . .
-
Artist:PJ Harvey & John Parish
-
Album:A Woman A Man Walked By
-
Track:Woman A Man Walked By/ The Crow Knows Where All The Little Children Go
I was the fortunate recipient of winning 2 tickets on Mog to see PJ Harvey and John Parish in concert in San Francisco, CA on 6/19/09. This was the first time I'd seen either artist and I've been a fan of PJ's since her first album. I just wasn't ever at the right place at the right time to see her. So thanks Brittany & Mog for the tickets!
Unfortunately, the two people I asked to go couldn't make it for one reason or another so I went by myself and ended up giving the other ticket away to this very appreciative french man who exclaimed 'This is like something you'd see in a movie! Thank you very much'. He actually offered to pay me for it but I had already decided that I'd pass on the 'freeness', so that made him even happier!
I arrived quite early to make sure the tix were at will call and they were so I had some time on my hands. I got a bite to eat and then headed to Rasputin Music to explore their 5 floors of music heaven. Glorious! I didn't buy anything but that didn't mean I didn't find anything, I'm just trying not to buy hard copies anymore & focus on purchasing online. I felt kinda bad though for Rasputin but man, my apt. is getting run over with cds!!!!
Anyway, I thoroughly enjoyed the concert. The opening act was an acoustic guitar set from a solitary man by the name of Pop Parker. I wasn't immediately impressed but the more I listened the more his songs & voice drew me in. I guess I wasn't really in the mood for acoustic but that's ok cause I got in the mood. His lyrical prowess is what really did it for me. They were fascinating stories that made you pay attention. His guitar playing was quite good as well.
'16 15 14':
Then PJ & John came on with a full band. I was mesmerized by PJ from the moment she came onstage. She announced that they would only be doing songs from their two albums together. Since I'd not seen her in person before I was even more entranced by her every move. John Parish was quite amazing on his many guitars and I was incredibly impressed by the tightness of the band. They were on top of every cue, every odd time change, every syncopated rhythm(the red button song is a fine example, it blew me away live that they pulled it off so well). And on their two collaborative albums 'Dance Hall At Louse Point' & 'A Woman A Man Walked By' there's alot of odd time changes & syncopation going on in the songs. Both albums would be considered more 'experimental' or 'challenging' than PJ's solo work so there's definitely some oddball songs although I personally love them. But the band & PJ performed them brilliantly.
'Taut'(one of my fave songs off 'Louse Point'):
PJ phlew her phreak phlag proudly though, dancing about the stage, howling like a banshee and acting all unhinged at various points, then singing very sweetly and quiet at other times. I found myself having to pry my eyes off of her gyrating about in her little loose black dress to make a point to check out the other musicians. Which I'm glad I did because they were phenomenal. She didn't play one guitar the entire however, which I found interesting. I now wish I had caught her 'Uh Huh Her' tour for the rockier performance, but I actually have a dvd of that tour called 'Please Leave Quietly' so I have been able to at least see her during it(and rewatch it over & over).
Unfortunately, their set was too short! It was only an hour and twenty minutes including the encore! I didn't score a setlist either so don't know the order of songs. But for FREE, it was a damn excellent show so I can't complain much. Thanks again Brittany and Mog for the tix!
Comments (9)
Great post! Love Polly
a wonderful innovator and a true sweetheart...
Glad it was a great show, August! PJ sounds mesmerizing live :)
Sounds like a great show. I need to check them out. I love odd-times and lots of changes in songs. This seems to be right up my alley.
Thx Inrumford, I adore Polly too. She is all that & a bag o' chips!
Brittany yes, I'm glad it was too. She's captivating live, thx again!
Sonical if you like more 'experimental' rock then PJ/John Parish would be perfect for you. You can check their album out here on amazon.com:
http://www.amazon.com/Woman-Man-Walked-PJ-Harvey/dp/B001U0HBHO
Lucky! im not the biggest fan, but still... its cool to win things... also thats super generous of you to give that ticket away to frenchy. :)
never really liked her until I saw those concert clips you put on. I remember giving her a go a while back, might have to try it again
Sam I'm a huge fan, so it was extra wonderful to win these. I know frenchy didn't really need a free ticket since he was about to buy 4 but he was the first person that walked in my way after getting the tix, so he lucked out!
Kev I'm glad you enjoyed the clips. Maybe this will be the tipping point to win you over to the PJ side of life. I wouldn't start w/her album with John Parish though, 'cause it's kinda out there for some. I'd recommend her album 'Uh Huh Her' or 'Stories From The City, Stories From The Sea'. Both of those are excellent starting points. I love the song on 'Uh Huh Her' titled 'Who The Fuck?' it's a such a KICKASS song!
Very nice, uncle A! We should kidnap her one of these nights....
Hey, you were like a deus ex machina to the French bloke heheheh
Thx but you go ahead w/the kidnapping, I don't wanna go to jail, haha!
Yea I guess I was that to the French bloke. . . .