Show review (i.e. self-appraisal): Uncommon Ground 2006/03/22
Photo credit: Kirsten Wildauer
I started off my set with a slightly-too-fast version of Sister Mary Catherine, which eventually resulted in the feel-good moment of the evening, when a new fan explained that "you had me at 'Jefferson Starship'." It was a treat to play Baltimore Sun with three Westervillers (Westervillains? Westervillianers? Westervillagers?) in attendance. I give myself points for: (a) bravely playing Girl Gone Wild only days after I wrote it... and not screwing it up too badly; (b) working both Donovan and The Pixies into All Of The Above; (c) getting the crowd to sing during Party Anthem [Anti-Aircraft Fire Over Ontario]. Mostly, I take points away from myself for the following: (a) playing everything about 22 clicks too fast; (b) pretending that I'm capable of inhabiting the same songwriting planet as Ralph Covert (which I'm clearly not - Ralph is still Best. Songwriting. Teacher. Ever. and a hero I continue to worship)... and then proceeding to flub the technical execution of the song; (c) ad-libbing about bees. Overall grade: A minus minus minus.
P.S. Thanks to Cory Hance and the good folks of Catsplash (and, of course, the brave and loyal gang who follows me to shows - CHEERS!), Uncommon Ground was a packed house tonight. Catsplash kicked it off with a nice set, highlighted by tight vocals, sweeping, melodic songs, and a keyboard-cum-wind-instrument solo that brought down the house. Cory then cleared the dust of the house with rock star charisma, the usual mix of brilliant and unexpected lyrics, and some inspired covers.
Photo credit: Kirsten Wildauer
