I titled this post 'Every Day is a Winding Road', not because I necessarily believe that, but because it's the hook from a good Sheryl Crow song, and yes, I continued my streak of malfeasance by finding a way to sneak into her show last night at the Hult Center. I had just completed a little free gig at the Slug Queen's Ball where I played some piano as people were coming in. I also did a little cameo with the Radar Angels, singing Boom Boom as part of their set. And then I was done by 8:15, so I packed up and figured, 'why not' let's see if I can find a way into Sheryl Crow's set down the street.
I showed up about 45 minutes after the show began and it was pretty quiet in the lobby, security fairly lax and the door part way open so I could hear the music coming from the stage. I made small talk for a few minutes, then saw a dance class friend of mine, Nancy, who sometimes ushers at the venue. She was just coming back from a bathroom break, so I slid into the venue with her and just like that, I was in. (smile). The funny part is that I never used to do stuff like that back in the day, but now it feels kinda right. Not that I'm entitled, but not that I'm not entitled either. (try to parse that double negativity...)
She is a GREAT singer, GREAT songwriter, kinda reminds me of a female Tom Petty in her ability to come up with memorable hooks and solid mid-tempo rock tunes. But there was something missing from her set, and being the avid listener that I am, I paid solid attention to what I was seeing and hearing to try and find the missing ingredient. And what was missing for me was my body. The music just didn't make me want to get up and move. And why not? me who loves to dance....
I thought the band was too cool, (not in the good way). They didn't show any joy or excitement or passion for what they were doing. They hardly moved at all, as if they would be fined for shaking their ass or something. It was kind of like a postcard, everything quite still, good sound but no THUMP. And the drummer, while he showed some enthusiasm, I found him way to laid back and 'white'. There is a quality that drummers have which can either push the tempo forward or keep the reins on and hold it back, and this guy was the latter. There's nothing 'wrong' with it, but by playing slightly behind the beat, the message is 'don't move your body' this is for listening. Which kinda clashes with some of her lyrics about we're gonna dance blah blah blah, yet the music was holding that back.
I'm sure that Sheryl Crow is terribly interested in my opinion of her band (not), but I know that what I experienced was true. The thing was very controlled and joyless, in spite of the solid songs and professional sound. They need to loosen up and have some fun, because that is what translates best to the audience. It finally got loose in the encore when she went to the piano and played a gorgeous gospel-inspired song called 'I shall believe'. It was a 3/4 soulful 'testifying' song, and she hit it out of the park. What a singer, holy crap! And when the band kicked in, finally the bass player starts swaying and moving, the lead player rips out a great solo and the magic happens. They got moved, we got moved, ya gotta move!
Afterward I went back to the Slug Queen Ball and danced to some great R and B from the Essentials who were headlining that event. (too bad it was so poorly attended, but it was the luck of the draw to be going up against the best night of the year in Eugene music. Sheryl Crow at the Hult, Lauryn Hill outdoors at the Cuthbert, Curtis Salgado in Springfield, three great shows on the same night). So there was lots of room on the dance floor and it was good to shake it a little. Ended the night by stopping off at the Vets Club to support some of my friends from the Blues Jam who had a set there. I wanted to show my face, let them know I came down to pay a little cash and show support. They appreciated it, and it feels good to do. Called it a night, came home, slept a little, not enough but there's a nap in my future.
But in my immediate future is a dance class and a little kids gig later in the morning. After that? zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
