2003/03/21, Crystal ballroom, Portland, OR
Sin taxi / Ramp of death / Phantasies
Another chance to hear the 2003 version of 'Sin taxi' with added 'Ramp of death' and 'Phantasies'.
Solid versions of all these tracks, definitely on the level I've come to expect of the Jicks in 2003. Pretty damn good.
I can't report anything exceptional or noteworthy per se about these performances. I'm just happy there's a 2nd performance of 2003's 'Sin taxi' to compare (this one's a little less full on rock, but the arrangements is pretty much the same). And you know, if I could get into that time machine to a musical event of my choosing... I'd probably see the NRBQ with Steve Ferguson in 1970 or Prince around 'Dirty mind', but 2003 Jicks would be pretty high on my list. I'd get some action out of that time machine.
After 'Ramp of death', Stephen makes a crack about John Mayer-syndrome, white guys with acoustic guitars. Oh Steve, sometimes you just don't know your own strengths.
2003/03/21, Crystal ballroom, Portland
Old Jerry
There are 6 known recorded versions of 'Old Jerry'. We've encountered an early version played during the april 2002 South American tour (note 27) and the studio version (note 31). The other 4 versions are all live takes from the 2003 Pig Lib tours. He would burn through all of the song's potential in 2003, reaching ever more intense peaks (you'll see). And indeed, after 2003 it seems the songs was put in storage indefinitely. I've heard rumours of a 2014 freak sighting, but no recording or confirmation.
Here, from the start of the tour, a beautiful subdued version, leaning heavily on the electric piano and with some elegiac guitar skronk additions. An early morning version, with a feeling almost like innocence.
36
2003/04/07, unknown location
Rattled by the rush (instr)
Soundcheck jam
Summer babe
In between days
Unreleasable, unique little moments I always listen to with a smile on my face, however unformed they may be. The first three tracks are from the soundcheck (don't know where this show is taking place), and offer a view 'behind the scenes' (so to speak – I suppose we don't have to expect a Jicks reality show anytime soon, thank God). Turns out when no one's listening they like to riff on old Pavement songs too!
The 'Rattled by the rush' instrumental is just a tantalizing fragment. They spend about half of its 40 seconds negotiating whether they're playing the verse or the chorus. The bass just doesn't find the right notes. And yet, it's delicious. Maybe it's just the Proustian rush of it.
'Soundcheck jam' – for some of us two words that will always gladden our hearts! There aren't many recordings of the Jicks just jamming, and that's a shame. This rare instance shows them pretty good at getting a mood down right away. Starts with a bassline, John is on it with a simple beat immediately, Stephen plays some atmospheric guitar flourishes and mumbles some half-vocals (but really right for the feeling of the moment) and halfway trough Mike enters on piano. That guy can't half play, right?
This is what I usually tag the Basement Tape 'Summer babe' (on account of Stephen's craggy Dylan-as-old-man vocal) or the 'slack motherfucker' version. It's a pastiche of something, and god knows what put 'em up to it, but it's got a lot of charm.
Shout-out request: if anyone has a recording of this that doesn't skip, I would be so thankful!
'In between days' (yes, the Cure) is from the concert itself. 'Lot of guitar in your face,' says Stephen, dismissing it. John thinks it's awesome. He's right. Uhm Stephen, a lot of that guitar in my face is exactly what I'm looking for.
Fun.
Unknown soundcheck
Mama(jam)
From an unidentified other 2003 soundcheck comes this embryonic 'Mama' jam. The guitar riff and the chorus chords are written – the rest not so much, ad-libbed vocals on a different melody line, bass and drums are searching.
It kinda corrects my assumption that 'Face the truth' was a basement creation by Stephen in isolation. Going into it the Jicks were there (see also the early version of 'It kills' on the Emo's show from march 2003). Somewhere along the line the mad scientist monomanical artist took over (aka Stephen's inner Todd Rundgren).
Not good in any traditional sense, but fascinating. I'd rather hear this than watch that Godard movie about the Rolling Stones stumbling towards 'Sympathy for the devil'.
2003/03/21, Crystal ballroom, Portland
Old Jerry
There are 6 known recorded versions of 'Old Jerry'. We've encountered an early version played during the april 2002 South American tour (note 27) and the studio version (note 31). The other 4 versions are all live takes from the 2003 Pig Lib tours. He would burn through all of the song's potential in 2003, reaching ever more intense peaks (you'll see). And indeed, after 2003 it seems the songs was put in storage indefinitely. I've heard rumours of a 2014 freak sighting, but no recording or confirmation.
Here, from the start of the tour, a beautiful subdued version, leaning heavily on the electric piano and with some elegiac guitar skronk additions. An early morning version, with a feeling almost like innocence.
36
2003/04/07, unknown location
Rattled by the rush (instr)
Soundcheck jam
Summer babe
In between days
Unreleasable, unique little moments I always listen to with a smile on my face, however unformed they may be. The first three tracks are from the soundcheck (don't know where this show is taking place), and offer a view 'behind the scenes' (so to speak – I suppose we don't have to expect a Jicks reality show anytime soon, thank God). Turns out when no one's listening they like to riff on old Pavement songs too!
The 'Rattled by the rush' instrumental is just a tantalizing fragment. They spend about half of its 40 seconds negotiating whether they're playing the verse or the chorus. The bass just doesn't find the right notes. And yet, it's delicious. Maybe it's just the Proustian rush of it.
'Soundcheck jam' – for some of us two words that will always gladden our hearts! There aren't many recordings of the Jicks just jamming, and that's a shame. This rare instance shows them pretty good at getting a mood down right away. Starts with a bassline, John is on it with a simple beat immediately, Stephen plays some atmospheric guitar flourishes and mumbles some half-vocals (but really right for the feeling of the moment) and halfway trough Mike enters on piano. That guy can't half play, right?
This is what I usually tag the Basement Tape 'Summer babe' (on account of Stephen's craggy Dylan-as-old-man vocal) or the 'slack motherfucker' version. It's a pastiche of something, and god knows what put 'em up to it, but it's got a lot of charm.
Shout-out request: if anyone has a recording of this that doesn't skip, I would be so thankful!
'In between days' (yes, the Cure) is from the concert itself. 'Lot of guitar in your face,' says Stephen, dismissing it. John thinks it's awesome. He's right. Uhm Stephen, a lot of that guitar in my face is exactly what I'm looking for.
Fun.
Unknown soundcheck
Mama(jam)
From an unidentified other 2003 soundcheck comes this embryonic 'Mama' jam. The guitar riff and the chorus chords are written – the rest not so much, ad-libbed vocals on a different melody line, bass and drums are searching.
It kinda corrects my assumption that 'Face the truth' was a basement creation by Stephen in isolation. Going into it the Jicks were there (see also the early version of 'It kills' on the Emo's show from march 2003). Somewhere along the line the mad scientist monomanical artist took over (aka Stephen's inner Todd Rundgren).
Not good in any traditional sense, but fascinating. I'd rather hear this than watch that Godard movie about the Rolling Stones stumbling towards 'Sympathy for the devil'.
Geen opmerkingen:
Een reactie posten