Doesn't matter the size of the venue, it's always an intimate affair with Duncan Sheik. As mentioned in my earlier post, Holly Brook opened for him & she's quite lovely. I need to give a shout out to the USPS - I ordered her CD from Amazon Friday morning, it was in my hands & on my iPod by the afternoon Saturday. Big ups postwoman, you may always ring twice :)
I've usually seen him solo or with his drummer (Doug Yowell). On Thursday, there was a string quartet & Ms. Brook joined in on piano. Swoon I do loves me some Duncan.
Brief history, he's been my boyfriend since the days of his first album. (He may not be aware of our relationship status, but to be honest, it's probably for the best. John Cusack, Jake Gyllenhaal, Glen Hansard, Ricky Wilson ... well they'd all start fighting & I really don't want that ! The less these guys know, the better ! Plus that restraining order for Duncan was lifted two weeks ago) ... Every album, I purchased & loved. I don't think there's a song of his I can't enjoy. When I heard he was working on a Nick Drake tribute - writing the music while Steven Sater wrote the lyrics, I jumped on that train but quick. I adore that album, though, I would have to say White Limousine is my favorite of his collection. Then I catch wind of Spring Awakening, where he teamed up with Steven Sater again. I am finally seeing it June 1st ... so close I can almost taste it, almost.
He brought all that & the Dorito factory with him Thursday night ;) Playing songs from Daylight, WL, Humming & another musical (can't remember the name) that played in California. He also did a few songs from Spring Awakening. To hear Duncan singing his songs, just sublime. Holly Brook complimented his voice so sweetly & the quartet, well the sum total of people on that stage turned me from a mild-mannered (stop laughing) girl to Super Wonderful Woman ... in spirit that is. I was floating out of the theatre when it ended (all too soon if you asked me). I never miss a chance to see him when he's in my locale. He never disappoints.
He really enjoyed playing in the theatre as well, though the crowd numbers were not what I'd hoped (the space only half full). He even mentioned he would love to see Spring Awakening performed in that space :)
My only issue with the night, the audience members who kept pushing for him to play Barely Breathing. I'm not saying I don't love that song, that song is the reason I found him, fell for him & started our relationship. It just bugs the hell out of me when an artist says they won't be doing anything from the older albums - respect their wishes would you people. They just wouldn't stop nagging. You could feel his displeasure with the constant requests, finally giving into them, but first joking that his drummer would perform Spring Awakening in Ethel Merman styley. That was a hysterical. Though the thing that had me laughing the most: Holly had three of the four in the quartet come out & play percussive instruments for one of her songs, giving them the nickname the "Shaker ....". When Duncan introduces the group after he's onstage, he expresses that he thinks the name Shaker ... is a good one, but he just wants them to realize, that means no more sex. Even he couldn't collect himself for a good minute, each time he'd try to begin the next song he'd start laughing, everytime, I followed suit ... it was hysterical the looks on the four stringy peeps :) I felt their pain, can you imagine, no more sex ??? ;)
So, Duncan Sheik is a consummate performer of the highest caliber, with enough talent to spare, incredibly intelligent & a dark-haired lovely with green eyes (I do love me some green eyes ... ;) ) & a voice of royal honey.
Damn good thing they finally lifted that pesky restraining order. Damn good !!!
& peeps, respect an artist if they say they don't want to play a certain song, then don't beg for them to play it over & over ... it's annoying & rude.
I'll leave you with one of the songs he performed last night - I wanted to find Hymn for you (a near perfect song in my opinion), maybe next time :) There's always next time, so long as he doesn't get another one of those restraining order thingies, he may play it next time too !!!
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I was amazed that the space was only half full, thats got to mess with an artists head a little. As for the calling out of songs you know the artist doesnt want to play, I feel the same way you do. Dont push, you never know he might just do it to make you happy. Sounds like you are torn with which act to love more...........man crush vs. girl crush..... I will leave it up to you to figure that one out.
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I'm an equal-opportunity music crusher ... why should I have to choose ??? That's just being mean !
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It shocked the poo out of me - in a college town no less ... didn't seem to phase him a bit (the 1/2 full space) ... & he did play Barely Breathing because we were & I quote, "such a great audience". I know I was, I didn't yell over n over for him to play a hit from his first record. I let him take me on the journey he intended (that said, it was great to hear him play that one again) ;)
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Liz, I know your going to kick my ass from here to East Jablip for this comment but ...
I have to disagree with you about this statment.
It just bugs the hell out of me when an artist says they won’t be doing anything from the older albums – respect their wishes would you people.
For a few reasons.
The artist owes his/her audience for bread and butter. Why not throw 'em a bone?
The old stuff is why they came to the show in the first place. I think its great to go to a show and say things like "I was into these guys before their first name change." or whatever, you get the idea. I also like to sing along. For all of you out there I am that guy. Show me some love and throw a bottle at my head.
Liz, the artist needs the audience. Without the audience there is no artist. Just another lonely guy with a guitar, piant brush, computer, or whatever, you fill in the noun.
Being more audience member than artist, I like to be able to hear requests.
Sorry Liz, but I had to say it.
You know what they say about me, "My opinion and my asshole are the same thing".
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Wow crossed comments. I guess my last took longer to type than I thought.
I will never be the point man in comments ever again.
Well maybe some times. Like once in a while.
Will the jury please disregard my last statement?
I feel love again.
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I hear you as well, he didn't officially say he wouldn't sing them, he just gave us the intended albums from which the songs would be taken, and the first few weren't there. I know that it's a bummer when an artist won't do old songs, but I guess I also feel from their end that they are really looking forward to playing the newer stuff from the latest album - or songs they want to put on the next ... Someone has every right to request a song, but I give the artist just as much right to say they really don't want to perform that song.
I ADORE when request time is offered, but this was a special show that stated specifically it would look at his latest two albums & Spring Awakening ...
If it isn't though, I trust the artist knows whats going on & will take me with him/her wherever that may be. I don't want to box them into playing only these songs, that's not fair to them nor would it be fair for anyone !
No matter what we think I am, I still got nuttin but luv for ya ... worry not :)
But when you are _that guy_ and you maybe can't sing all that well, please don't sing OVER the artists ... and do your best not to sing for the people around you ... they came to see "................" perform. I sing too - but the ones that SCREAM the lyrics and are drunk & beligerent ... I can't abide that behavior.
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I will expect that bottle then.
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I know his last name is Sheik and we've had some problems in the Middle East lately, but only half a house? I blame Homeland Security!
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I am ... I'll buy you a beer, not throw a bottle ... I'll just give it to you on the condition you stay in "your dance space" & I'll "stay in my dance space ... spaghetti arms" !!! ;)
Mike - it's the truth man ... floored me. Princeton should know better - I mean seriously, aren't those kids supposed to be smart ??? (your comment had me cracking up, thanks for that :) )
I'm calling up Tom Ridge today ... that ____ fill in the blank people, fill it in please !!!My Trusted MOGs
Sounds like a good time, most excellent. Also, I will gladly take John Cusak off your hands to leave you more time with Duncan. ;)
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I don't care _what_ Kevin says, I can have as many boyfriends as can keep up with me - and this natural ability of mine has already been established - thanks to Prince ;) But I would _gladly_ share him with you Ash - he's never going to settle down anyway (the next George Clooney) ... & so long as he's one of your "list of five" your husband can't get mad ... he _is_ on your list of five right ??? Ah the joys of being single, I can have as many imaginary boyfriends as I want :)
More time with Duncan though ... he's got more potential to settle down, & how much would I lurve sitting by the piano with our three adorably beautiful children - all with _green_ eyes - singing all of Daddy's songs & sharing secret smiles while he plays all of my favorites ...
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I saw his show in Atlanta last Fall and it was almost exactly the same. "Starfields on Redlines" and "The Dawn's Request" are a couple of the finest songs out there and I loved hearing them live. I haven't seen "Spring Awakening" yet, but I hope to!
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I'll SURELY have a write up for it after I see it ... I can't believe it's a week & a 1/2 til I see it ... Two 4 day weekends in a row ... life is sweet :)
I can't help but be a "Hymn" girl as stated above - but those are definitely favorites as well ... he rocked both of them ...
I swear, his is a show I can/will see whenever he's in town - he's THAT good - ALWAYS_Starfields ..._ really is spectacular ... but I think _That Says It All_ ;)
Kinda has a Ferris Bueller's Day Off vibe in the middle - can't go wrong with FBDO or Duncan really ...