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Paul Simon w/The Jerry Douglas Band 2006.07.26 (W) Maricopa Events Center, Phoenix, Arizona
I was heading to see an older performer at Sun City in Arizona. I had a slight twinge that this could be sleep inducing. WRONG!
The first pleasant surprise was the opening act, The Jerry Douglas Band. No lyrics. Great slide and steel guitar. Very refreshing. Douglas, himself, has an unassuming charisma that warms you up every time he speaks between songs.
Then THE Paul Simon came on stage. I thought it might be all acoustic. Instead he had a tight band that could cover the dynamic range of Simon's rhythmic career. They played almost all of the songs from Graceland. Many other great solo hits as you can see listed below, and a couple of his old Simon & Garfunkel collaborations.
Although the Maricopa Events Center has a strange long seating arrangement, the sound was spectacular. As the crowd spontaneously accompanied Paul on several songs, you could hear them all, even from the back of the venue. It could use some updating from its 70s decor.
Three encores were more than expected and the crowd stayed for each (Arizonans head for the doors early like an LA sports crowd).
Friends Sam and Karla attended and to enjoyed the show. She thought the register of several songs was lowered so Paul could still try to hit the highs. He seemed to do just fine. The show was far from the potential snooze-fest I imagined. If you like Paul Simons' music, it's still worth seeing him live.
SET LIST 1. Gumboots 2. Boy in Bubble 3. Outragous 4. Slip Slidin' Away 5. You´re the One 6. Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard 7. Northeast 8. Mrs. Robinson 9. Loves me Like a Rock 10. Zydeco 11. Duncan 12. Graceland 13. Father & Daughter 14. Diamonds on the Soles of her Shoes 15. Still Crazy After All These Years 16. Cecelia
Encore 1 17. Call Me Al 18. Only Living Boy in New York 19. Boxer w/Jerry Douglas
Encore 2 20. Wartime Prayers 21. Bridge over Troubled Water
Encore 3 22. Late in the Evening
One of the best shows I've ever seen was the Dave Matthews Band at the Rosemont Horizon in Chicago. I hesitate to go back to the well for more with a band when I've had an experience seared into my memory like that. It's often disappointing.
I still really enjoy DMB and Sarah was jonesing to see the show. I scared up some lawn tickets at the last moment. I've become spoiled over the years and know the obvious all too well, the closer you are to the stage (where you can see facial expressions and glances) the more enjoyable it will be.
Happily none of this really came into play at the show. It was one of the most well attended shows during the hot Arizona summer I've seen at Cricket. A breeze started blowing shortly after the show began and the temp dropped to tolerable. Big screens on each side of the stage and some smaller high-res ones built into the band's stage helped all of us on the lawn feel a little more intimate with the band (see photo).
Some dismiss DMB because they're so popular. They're not sellouts. They're definitely a jam band (although not as obtuse as the Dead). Somehow, the good vibe and great music made it feel like we all were just at some large lawn party where a cool band plays while you socialize with them as a soundtrack and frequent diversion.
Crash Into Me, Crush, What Would You Say were highlights while Stay and Everyday were standout, crowd rousing numbers. However the most moving moment was when Dave played a new acoustic song about his sister. Sister is a great tribute to anyone's female sibling. Dave didn't specify which sister, Jane or Anne. Knowing that Anne died in a domestic tragedy at her home in South Africa in 1994 made the song event more poignant.
I've heard from some past DMB concertgoers that they can be inconsistent at times. I didn't experience anything but excellent sounds at this show.
SET LIST: 2006.08.23 (W) Cricket Pavilion - Phoenix, Arizona
Pantala Naga Pampa * Rapunzel * Crash Into Me Big Eyed Fish * Bartender * Dream Girl * Hunger For The Great Light * The Idea Of You * Louisiana Bayou * Can’t Stop Crush * Loving Wings [tease] Where Are You Going You Might Die Trying * Granny What Would You Say * Stay [Wasting Time] * Sister [Dave Solo] Everyday * Tripping Billies *- Rashawn Ross on Trumpet
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working the word obtuse with the grateful dead is interesting. i have to say that i have never seen DMB, the closest i came is when they opened 3 shows for dead at sam boyd, i got there each night after they left the stage
I hate most jam bands, but I will defend DMB to the end. The problem is that people end up disliking them because of the majority of their fans are annoying idiots (likewise Tori Amos). Fact is though, they are all amazing musicians. I could watch Carter play drums for hours--he makes it look so effortless! I haven't really cared for the most recent albums (well, since Before These Crowded Streets, really), but there are great songs on each. Live is much better, and DMB happen to have some of the best audio/visual guys I've ever seen/heard. Some Devil is a work of heartbreaking beauty as well.
Sarah and I saw Santana here in Phoenix on Friday, July 28, 2006, and although the weather was hot, the crowd didn't hesitate to jump up frequently to groove to the rhythmic sounds and full force guitar sound of Carlos & Co. The 3 percussionists set the expectations as the two full drum kits and 1 maniac set of bongos propelled us all evening.
Carlos is still a hippie at heart. As he proudly states still. He shared his wishes for a peaceful existence of man several times including at least one thumbs down admission that the US is headed in a severely wrong direction.
Anthony Hamilton laid down the clean R&B funk foundation as the opening act and played his Sister Big Bone. He also played with Santana on Twisted. If you like Santana or World Funk at all, make sure you see the tour when it stops near you.
Set List 2006.07.28 (F) Cricket Pavilion – Phoenix, Arizona
Peace Intro 1. Jingo 2. Historia 3. Africa Bamba 4. Concerto/ Maria Maria 5. Foo Foo 6. Europa 7. Twisted 8. Lord’s Prayer/ Mr. Mystery 9. I Am Somebody 10. El Fuego 11. Chill Out/ Socalo 12. Apache/ Smooth/ Dame Tu Amor
Woodstock Chant 13. Soul Sacrifice/ Drum Solo 14. Angel Chant/ Into The Night 15. Corazon Espinado 16. Novus
(With Anthony Hamilton)
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one of my great concerts was seeing Simon and Garfunkel at paramount theater at MSG in early 90's. it was half S & G and half Simon solo, it was incredible.