It's funny that I say it's in my own words, because I am speechless right now. I'm not sure what to think or feel. Damien Rice has been one of those artists that I have turned to in times of trouble. Hearing some of his songs conjure up feelings of a morose flavor and intensity. On the other hand, he's also been one that has been instrumental in turning over new leaves and finding the finer things (and people) in my life.
That being said, I have now seen him live, and to be quite honest, it completely and utterly blew me away. I brought a friend with me, and I was almost embarrassed at the number of times I had to casually wipe away tears during the performance. I have only been moved to this point in one other instance, also at the Tabernacle. It was actually the show that compelled me to write in the first place two years ago...Nine Inch Nails. Funny how two people from opposite ends of the spectrum can take me to a place I never thought imaginable. I'm almost certain that this is the reason people say music can be like a drug.
This performance reminded me of the time I was 15 and saw Tori Amos play the Fox. Not a body moved during the songs. No one spoke or sang along. Everyone was seated and took in everything Damien Rice was throwing out there. He only used an acoustic guitar and keys. His voice was just as it is had I been at home listening on the iPod speakers. Everything was simply perfect in every sense of the word. He opened with "9 Crimes," which I thought was the perfect song to set the mood for the rest of his catalog. He jokingly admitted he spends most of his time sitting around writing depressing songs to sing. Fine by me, as I tend to find some kind of solace in them. He sang "Woman Like a Man," which I didn't expect to hear, and closed out with an encore of three songs, one was "The Blower's Daughter," always a crowd favorite, I'm sure, and the last one brought out a dramatic performance with "Cheers Darlin'." I hold a special place for that last song, mainly because of a boy...what else? Rice had a waiter with a wine bottle filling his glass the entire song while he smoked cigarettes and ended with a "piss" on the stage lightpole. It was brilliantly done and I couldn't have asked for anything more. I highly doubt I'll be listening to anything else for the next few days based on this experience...
Damien Rice - "Woman Like a Man"
He did confirm he'll be back in September, which I pointed out earlier in the month, and honestly, if you don't go, then you're missing out on quite possibly one of the best live performances you could ever hope for if you're a lover of music.
4 comments:
The show last night was great. I didn't expect anything like the "character" he created for "Cheers Darlin'" but it was the perfect way to end it. Very theatrical.
I didn't expect to hear "The Professor," but it's one of my favorites, so I'm glad he played it. Even though I won't be able to listen to it the same way knowing he wrote it about the confusion he felt over his "first woody."
And I think I saw you there. Upper level. I would have said hello, but we were on opposite sides of the awkwardly placed bathroom lines at the time, so I decided to just stare at my shoes until I could quickly make my way back into the show.
I was in the balcony 200 section.
That story was funny. I laughed.
You should have said hey! I think it's been a whole year since I saw you last. And, I mean, we're neighbors!
everything about last night was great. during "coconut skins" this older couple a few rows up stood up and started dancing. i think they were hoping more people would follow their lead. needless to say, they were unsuccessful, but i admired their effort.
i think my favorite part was the beginning of "rootless tree" when he was playing the piano all alone.
The couple next to us started making out during "Cannonball," I think it was.
Why does he have to be so incredible?
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