The show was great. The larger venue (a real, old fashioned movie theater with the big read velvety curtains and an organ up front to play the music for the silent films) was gloriously acoustic. The crowd gave thunderous applause and rushed the stage upon request, Mr. Darinelle wasn’t having any of that stay-in-your-movie-seat kinda thing. And John Vanderslice was the perfect opening act.
It was just John and John, first one and then the other, and for a brief time, the both of them. Bare bones, just two men with guitars and a little foot stomping once in awhile. But, each knew how to move this large audience. The first duet was preceded by a wonderful tune off of… (I have no idea! I tried to find it on tracklistings somewhere, I know Pitchfork had it listed on Heretic Pride, but it’s not there, let me know if you know it)… called “Surrounded”
Surrounded mp3 The Mountain Goats
Pale white moon shines down on Colorado
Hide my dirty secrets down here in the shadows
Where the quaking aspens tremble in the snow
Haul me up the hillside, hold me high and let me goLet me fall right through my own roof like a meteorite
Let the world and all its wonders leave me to my toys tonight
And my ninety six inch television screen
Let me die, let me die surrounded by machinesHigh winds knocked the power out last night
But I’ve got my own supply here all my windows blaze with light
And the light spills through the windows to the empty plane below
Finds nothing but some trees and three fresh feet of snowAnd I find a broadcast station that’s signed off for the night
And the static floods the speakers in glorious black and white
On my ninety six inch television screen
Let me die, let me die surrounded by machines
I felt it was the best song of the night, but then I’m not a long-time fan, just a late arrival, but enjoying it even so. It all ended with “This Year” and of course an encore, the perfect encore, “No Children” we were told, “because you all sing so pretty.”
Here’s two songs, I’ve no idea if they played either of these, tonight was just my night to enjoy, I took no notes, xoxo
Palmcorder Yanja mp3 The Mountain Goats We Shall All Be Healed….. buy it
Fetal Horses mp3 John Vanderslice Romanian Names (coming May 19) look for it here
photo credit: bradsearleand greg.turner
did you take those pictures? they’re awesome.
i saw the mountain goats just before john darnielle got sick and had to cut back on his touring. he was visibly not himself at the time. sounds like he’s feeling better now though. he does some of the best stage banter, doesn’t he?
i love john vanderslice, too. i hope his new album is better than the last. i absolutely adored pixel revolt but i felt like emerald city was stuck in the past, lyrically at least, and so i never really gave it a proper chance because i couldn’t get past the subject. oh well, now i have something to look forward to!
Nope, not my pics! I usually raid flickr for good ones, there’s plenty there under creative commons use rights, thankfully.
This was my first time seeing either of these musicians and it was a treat
I think vanderslice’s album is gonna be great, his stage presence was wonderful, … warm and really genuine. And Darnielle was really such a fun act, totally in his head and geeking out on stage, a real laugh! Thanks for stopping by, xoxo!
Thanks for the nice pics and mp3. I agree it was a perfect pairing (which makes sense, Vanderslice did produce the Goats’ hi-fi 4AD albums) and the Portage was just a fun place to see a show. I’m still waiting on that mailing list that he promised me, although I’d just settle for a Billy Bragg cover that he talked about last time he was here in October.
It was a super place to see them perform, wasn’t it?!
I’m glad you agree, we had a blast! Thanks for stopping by John, of uncertain lineage, hahaha, but I guess you’re a fellow Chicagoan, xoxox