How's that for a long and annoying title for a post? Well, it does sum up his show, but is hardly insightful, so I'll carry on...
I returned to the scene of Ben Gibbard's solo show almost an entire year since I'd been there for that, only this time I was sans camera, which was beyond dumb because Mr. Meloy put on quite the show as always and I should have expected some film-worthy banter. Colin made sure to make fun of himself regularly, as he fumbled his own chords and forgot his own lyrics, and of course working in a bit of his self-proclaimed "worst song," named "Dracula's Daughter" into the middle of "O, Valencia!"
Aside from a great set, Colin informed us that after the tour he and his 'mates were on their way back into the studio to record a new album, even though he explained (in jest) that it took this solo tour to make him miss his other band members instead of wanting them to choke on copious amounts of "chips & salsa." Meloy debuted a new two-part song about a miner named Avery and a funeral for a person named Davey. The song was terrific as always and I wish I had captured it. Another YouTube worthy performance was when Meloy brought opener Laura Gibson (whose shyness was exceeded only by her talent) to help cover Sam Cooke's "Cupid," which was on his tour-only EP Colin Meloy Sings Same Cooke that I got right before the show and I will upload a song from later (please check back on this post tonight).
As always, Colin was extremely interactive with the crowd, and after a fan [I hope jokingly] requested "Freebird," the Decemberists' fearless leader also let us know that he was the Chairman for MACOF (Musicians Against Calling Out Freebird) and another group for musicians that support songs about gypsies. As only 3 guitars, and an increasingly depleting bottle of wine were his only stage companions, Meloy made sure to involve the audience for an incredible amount of sing-a-long moments, none better than his closing performance of "The Mariner's Revenge Song."
Though he made sure to take the last few drops of wine backstage with him, Colin definitely left another fine memory in the hearts & minds of the lucky fans that ventured into the Somerville Theatre last evening.
Here's a nauseating clip I took at Coachella ('07) of the ending of "The Mariner's Revenge Song." A cinematographer I am not, however, it will give you an idea of how much Colin loves to involve his audiences:
My Trusted MOGs
love Colin's new album and have tix to see him at the Fillmore in a couple of weeks Thanks for the review!
My Trusted MOGs
I have tickets to see him May 2...almost exactly a year later and in the same place as I saw Ben Gibbard solo. They are like 2 comets in similar orbits. :)
I will be sure to bring my camera and memory sticks for Colin's show.
My Trusted MOGs
yeah he was a ton of fun... and you know what I was thinking after reading Laura27's post here was that though they are similar in their stage presence, and during their solo shows they each had so much fun with the crowd that most people would think that they are kindred spirits, however, they are very contrasting individuals. The article that was on Laura's post was depressing and showed Ben in a light that I was not fully expecting... Colin on the other hand, while he certainly writes some borderline depressing ("The Engine Driver") and definitely creepy ("Shankill Butchers") songs, the dude seems to have such an aura of happiness about him