I have tracked Mark Lanegan for many years in his various different guises - the Mark Lanegan Band, Screaming Trees, The Gutter Twins, Soulsavers, Queens of the Stone Age and even as a duet partner with Isobel Campbell. The man certainly doesn't accumulate any moss and is well known for being a musical workaholic which works really well for those of us who love to hear Mark sing.
The only downer to this gig is that we have to stand and listen to Duke Garwood (again!). Duke has a long association with Mark Lanegan - they have collaborated on various things and must be good mates because I have seen him open for Mark on at least five occasions, maybe more. Unfortunately for Duke, these numerous appearances have done little to make me revert from my initial reaction to him - being that he is not very talented either as musician or a songwriter. He is, in my humble opinion, the complete antithesis of Mark Lanegan and the only benefit to being subjected to him again is that it makes Mark look even better.
Mercifully, Duke's set is not very long and we are then on to the next openers - Creature with the Atom Brain. As I understand it these guys are from Belgium and actually form part of Mark's normal touring band (Mark has also guested on one of their records). They are pretty damn good and have a kinda 'bizarro rock'n'roll thing going - it's cool and a welcome relief.
Inbetween Atom and Mark at least eight photographers push into the small area in front of the stage to 'take their positions' - I have never seen this many photographers at SheBu and wonder whether there is some kind of competition in play to see who can take a decent picture of Mark - who is well known for performing in almost complete darkness. When Mark comes on just before 9pm I delight in the pained expressions on the many faces of the photographers as they try and find some kind of lighting to assist them - not gonna happen people!
I have been wondering how the very full sound from the album is going to be reproduced live. About two minutes in I know Mark and the band are going to nail it. They sound amazing and they blast through opening track The Gravediggers Song with a deftness which bodes well.
The new album is both an extension of and a departure from Mark's previous work. Some of the tracks are completely surprising and others feel like they are old friends.
The band are really tight and Mark is rock solid vocally - I just love to listen to those gravel-lined pipes.
We are treated to a Bubblegum double-shot of Hit The City and Wedding Dress and then Mark delves into his back catalog with Resurrection Song and (a few songs later) Screaming Trees tune Crawlspace.
My two highlights of the night are One Hundred Days - which really is a pretty hopeful song (well as hopeful as you are going to get from Mark!):
"One day a ship comes in, one day a ship comes in
But I can't say how or when
But I know somewhere, a ship comes in every day"
and Ode to Sad Disco - this is insanely good and something I never, ever thought I would hear from Mark Lanegan. I am seriously in disco rock heaven and am wondering why every dance tune cannot have Mark Lanegan vocals!
The very high standard of performance is maintained throughout the night and as expected there is very little stage banter from Mark - I do believe that a smirk permeates Mark's cool demeanour at a couple of points though.
The main set ends with two further tracks from Blues Funeral - St Louis Elegy and Tiny Grain of Truth. This album sounds as good live as it has pulsing through earphones, but live it has even further depth and power.
The encore is straightforward and to the point - which is how Mark likes to perform. It consists of Blues Funeral track Harbourview Hospital, the somewhat ancient Pendulum and trusty old Bubblegum favourites When Your Number Isn't Up and Methamphetamine Blues. Mark promptly strolls offstage without comment or ceremony when it is over and we are left to ponder just how much our worlds have been rocked tonight. It is easily one of the best live performances I have seen from Mark and I am now eagerly awaiting the next opportunity (which I later find out is likely to be in August). For those lucky enough to have alternative transport home (ie other than the tube), they are treated to an aftershow signing by Mark - oh we'll next time!
Set list:
The Gravedigger's Song
Sleep With Me
Hit the City
Wedding Dress
One Way Street
Resurrection Song
Wish You Well
Gray Goes Black
Crawlspace
(Screaming Trees song)
Quiver Syndrome
One Hundred Days
Creeping Coastline of Lights
(Leaving Trains cover)
Riot in My House
Ode to Sad Disco
St. Louis Elegy
Tiny Grain of Truth
Encore:
When Your Number Isn't Up
Pendulum
Harborview Hospital
Methamphetamine Blues
More photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/59794835@N00/sets/72157629585637431/
No comments:
Post a Comment