Grant Lee Phillips
5/3/7
Lakeshore Theater in Chicago
Shamefully, I really didn’t even know the music of Grant Lee Phillips until managing RFC editor Brad Knutson asked me if I was going to see him play because I catch alot of good shows…which was perhaps the best way to tell me I better get it together and go see him. I was able to listen to his most recent release 2007’s Strangelet about a week before the show and what struck me most of all was the element of glam in his voice, which drew my attention amidst all of the heavier rock chords. Take “Johnny Guitar” for example (my favorite of the album and his set)...Grant clearly likes his Marc Bolan which makes two of us. He also has just a hint of a whisp quality to his voice at times that, oddly enough, recalls the work of Joe Pernice.
Though I had heard of Grant Lee Buffalo quite a few times, for some reason I never actually associated the two or ever bought any records up until now. Though there wasn’t a setlist for Grant to write down (he was filled with a certain spontaneity), he mentioned he was playing old songs from Grant Lee Buffalo days. Most of the songs I recognized from his new album I’d been listening to though, which is a fantastically solid release. In some ways, it’s strange to me because it really has an utterly American feel to it and before I looked up where he was born and from, I figured New Jersey like Springsteen or just some small all American town. (Though, I would have been thrilled if it had turned out to be Ottawa or something.) California being the place made sense. It’s like he has some sort of appeal that makes you realize the potential for greatness…a little like I feel when listening to Tom Petty, actually. Just great rifts and solid songs with that hint of glam to keep my interest.
Though it wasn’t a sold out show, his nearly two hour performance brought the crowd to its feet in two separate standing ovations. The crowd was so dedicated in face that I thought one man would surely propose marriage by the end of the night. They also really welcomed his electric guitar, which may have garnered cheers all on its own had Grant not added his vocals. I couldn’t help thinking how the world had changed since Dylan went electric and was rejected by some of his fans.
He had a great stage presence as well and although he was accompanied with bass and drums, it was really him bringing the night to fruition. He was really modest and appreciative and at the same time he had a great sense of humor. When tuning his guitar mid set, he decided to make a joke out of it and talk about all of the different kinds of tunings bands and musicians can have including the “indie” tuning in which he played a chord that sounded reminiscent of a Sonic Youth riff. He also did a really decent Keith Richards impression at one point. Overall, it was a great night of music with a musician who clearly doesn’t just have talent but also has a warm personality.
Listen to Grant Lee Phillips on myspace
Click to view additional tour dates:
May 8 2007 8:00P
The Paradise Boston, Massachusetts
May 9 2007 8:00P
Gramercy Theater New York City, New York
May 12 2007 8:00P
Living With War/Songs Of Protest – Largo Los Angeles, Arkansas
May 19 2007 8:00P
Largo Grant-Lee Returns. Guests: Kim DeLacy & The Via Maris Hollywood
Jun 5 2007 8:00P
Soho – with Glen Phillips, Watkins Family, Grant-Lee Phillips & Luke Bulla Santa Barbara, Arizona
Jun 6 2007 8:00P
Belly Up – with Glen Phillips, Watkins Family, Grant-Lee Phillips & Luke Bulla Solana Beach, Arizona
Jun 7 2007 8:00P
Galaxy Theater – with Glen Phillips, Watkins Family, Grant-Lee Phillips & Luke Bulla Santa Ana, Arkansas
Jun 8 2007 8:00P
The Roxy With Glen Phillips,Watkins Family, Grant-Lee Phillips West Hollywood, California
Jun 9 2007 8:00P
Bimbo’s – with Glen Phillips, Watkins Family, Grant-Lee Phillips & Luke Bulla San Francisco, California
Jun 10 2007 8:00P
Crest Theater – with Glen Phillips, Watkins Family, Grant-Lee Phillips & Luke Bulla Sacramento, California
Jun 12 2007 8:00P
Mystic Theater – with Glen Phillips, Watkins Family, Grant-Lee Phillips & Luke Bulla Petaluma, California
Jun 14 2007 8:00P
Aladdin Theater – with Glen Phillips, Watkins Family, Grant-Lee Phillips & Luke Bulla Portland, Oregon
Jun 15 2007 8:00P
The Big Easy – with Glen Phillips, Watkins Family, Grant-Lee Phillips & Luke Bulla Spokane, Washington
Aug 7 2007 8:00P
Dingwalls London
Aug 8 2007 8:00P
Whelans Dublin