Neko Case will one day write and record the greatest album of our generation. Last night, she played the Commodore Ballroom

my true love drowned / in a dirty old pan of oil / did run from the block / of a Falcon sedan 1969 / the paper said 75
— Star Witness, from the album Fox Confessor Brings the Flood

She sings with the voice of an angel, and she’s playing Bellingham tonight.

The opening act tonight was Eric Bachman, a fairly predictable and talented solo singer songwriter. A half hour set was appreciated quietly by the crowd.

The Commodore Ballroom never fails to astonish me as a venue. With a large sprung dance floor, two levels, tables and food being served it’s a beautiful room and probably the most civilized place I’ve ever been for a concert — at least the equal of Toronto’s Masonic Temple with much better acoustics than that concrete monolith.

hey pretty baby get high with me / we can go to my sister’s / if we say we’ll watch the baby
— Star Witness, from the album Fox Confessor Brings the Flood

Neko and the band took the stage at about 2200hrs. The best line of the night came during a conversation between Neko and her backup vocalist about The Police reunion on the Grammy Awards last week. Neko described Sting’s chest hair as “…a rug hook picture of Tom Woppat.”

Where does this mean world cast its cold eye / Who’s left to suffer long about you / Does your soul cast about like an old paper bag / Past empty lots and early graves
— Deep Red Bells, from the album Blacklisted

The set list featured songs from Fox Confessor Brings the Flood with a good selection of older materials, reaching as far back as her first album into the days when it was still Neko Case and her Boyfriends, as any good set list should.

In Calfornia was early in the set, and I stood there astonished at how I was able to ride a motorcyle through the state of California without it playing in my ears. I won’t make that mistake again.

In California / I dream of snow / And all the places / we used to go
— In California, from the album Canadian Amp

On Sunday night Neko played the Paramount Theatre in Seattle opening for Merle Haggard. Not that I listen to Merle Haggard, but that would have been a great show.

Neko will write and record one of the greatest albums of our generation one day, and it will live in your ears forever. Now is the time to see her.

If I meet you in the night / you’re free to covet all you like / don’t you try and stop me / I cling tightly / to this life
— Tightly, from the Album Blacklisted

Posted by skooter at 8:16 AM This entry is filed under Music.
This entry is tagged: AltCountry, Concerts, Lyrics, Neko Case