Tom Waits in Concert
My review of Tom Waits in Concert at The Auditorium Theatre, Chicago (August 9th, 2006):
Having sold our spare tickets and hoisted a few rounds in a bar around the corner, Uncle and I entered the Theatre with an anticipation that was shared by the otherwise far-flung faithful who gathered for the concert. We climbed the steps to our seats, admired the hall, admired the many sights seated around us, admired the configuration of the stage and admired ourselves for our good fortune in being able to attend.
When the effort to attend is so great - what with international flights, pleaded permissions, crazed schedules, transit woes and related expenses - you can expect there to be a lot of hype. There is also a great deal of anticipation for a Waits show generally (and the fear it may be your last). And there's certainly baggage attendant to the experience as you think about previous concerts and recordings.
In this show there were some notable differences in the performances - more bluesy, some surf-rock touches - but it delivered in spades nonetheless. I never really understood why "Day after Tomorrow" was considered a great anti-war anthem until this show - once you hear it live (and more melancholy) it really strikes home about the plight of the "returning combatant". And Tom Traubert's Blues, done on the piano with only upright bass for accompaniment, was touching, heart-felt and fantastic. There was a good mix of new and old in the set list (the show ran over two hours). Shore Leave, Trampled Rose and Time were also personal favourites (admittedly in a list of favourites).
After the second encore (and the guy behind us doing loon calls) finished, the lights came back on. We were delighted and excited; satisfied for making the journey.
The prophet was in Chicago. We saw him there.
Here's a set list for the show that I poached from eyeballkid. It looks pretty accurate to me.
Make It Rain
Hoist That Rag
Shore Leave
God's Away On Business
All The World Is Green
Falling Down
Tango Till They're Sore
Tom Traubert's Blues
Eyeball Kid
Down In The Hole
Don't Go Into That Barn
Shake It
Trampled Rose
What's He Building In There
Who's Been Talking / Till The Money Runs Out
Lie To Me Baby
Get Behind The Mule
Day After Tomorrow
Singapore
Whistlin' Past The Graveyard
Time
Having sold our spare tickets and hoisted a few rounds in a bar around the corner, Uncle and I entered the Theatre with an anticipation that was shared by the otherwise far-flung faithful who gathered for the concert. We climbed the steps to our seats, admired the hall, admired the many sights seated around us, admired the configuration of the stage and admired ourselves for our good fortune in being able to attend.
When the effort to attend is so great - what with international flights, pleaded permissions, crazed schedules, transit woes and related expenses - you can expect there to be a lot of hype. There is also a great deal of anticipation for a Waits show generally (and the fear it may be your last). And there's certainly baggage attendant to the experience as you think about previous concerts and recordings.
In this show there were some notable differences in the performances - more bluesy, some surf-rock touches - but it delivered in spades nonetheless. I never really understood why "Day after Tomorrow" was considered a great anti-war anthem until this show - once you hear it live (and more melancholy) it really strikes home about the plight of the "returning combatant". And Tom Traubert's Blues, done on the piano with only upright bass for accompaniment, was touching, heart-felt and fantastic. There was a good mix of new and old in the set list (the show ran over two hours). Shore Leave, Trampled Rose and Time were also personal favourites (admittedly in a list of favourites).
After the second encore (and the guy behind us doing loon calls) finished, the lights came back on. We were delighted and excited; satisfied for making the journey.
The prophet was in Chicago. We saw him there.
Here's a set list for the show that I poached from eyeballkid. It looks pretty accurate to me.
Make It Rain
Hoist That Rag
Shore Leave
God's Away On Business
All The World Is Green
Falling Down
Tango Till They're Sore
Tom Traubert's Blues
Eyeball Kid
Down In The Hole
Don't Go Into That Barn
Shake It
Trampled Rose
What's He Building In There
Who's Been Talking / Till The Money Runs Out
Lie To Me Baby
Get Behind The Mule
Day After Tomorrow
Singapore
Whistlin' Past The Graveyard
Time
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