Review: Golden Smog & Jayhawks - Rock For Democracy - 7/18/04 - First Ave. - Mpls, MN

THE JAYHAWKS
(Louris - Perlman - O'Reagan - Grotberg)
Rock For Democracy
First AVe. - Mpls - 7/18/04

1. One Man's Problem (w/ Jim Boquist = ac gtr/bg vox)
2. Pray For Me (w/Jim Boquist = ac gtr/bg vox) For some strange reason i don't feel like doing any “research” right now, but I think the last time they played this, Bill Clinton was in his first term.
3. He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother (Hollies cover; Tim = lead vox; w/ Jim Boquist = ac gtr/bg vox) One of many songs last night that were perfectly in sync with the vibe of the event. Beautifully sung by Tim, just breathtaking. Man, what an underrated singer. Hell, what a singer, period!
4. Tailspin (w/ David Poe = elec gtr/bg vox) Dedicated by Gary to "GW." Biting political commentary? Wishful thinking? One of the best damn pop songs in recent memory? Answer: D) all of the above.



GOLDEN SMOG
(Louris - Johnson - Murphy - Perlman - Peter Anderson)
Rock For Democracy
First Ave. - Mpls - 7/18/04

1. Starman (Bowie cover; Gary = lead vox, Jim Boquist = bg vox) Live debut - yet another excellent choice from the cool cover stockpile. Pssst: the boys recorded a killer version of this song this summer - don't tell anybody.
2. That's When I Reach For My Revolver (Mission of Burma cover; Dan = lead vox, Ed Ackerson = elec gtr, bg vox = all) Another debut. Dan dedicated this to MN guv "Tiny Tim Palewnty" in the wake of a lot of recent hoo-haw in these parts concerning gun control legislation.
3. Powderfinger (Neil cover; KJJ = lead vox, David Poe = gtr/ bg vox, Dave Pirner = bg vox). Smokin'. Don't think they've pulled this one out since the '96 glory days.
4. Do Anything You Wanna Do (Eddie and the Hot Rods cover; Dan = lead vox) Another '96 blast from the past. An early punk anthem (1976) that fit in well with the spirit of the event.
5. The Dream is Never Over [tentative title] (brand spankin' new; Gary & Dan = lead vox, Blake Hurlbert = percussion). Very catchy little bugger, also recently hammered out in the studio. A new Smog song is obviously welcome news, especially if there's more where this came from. Should be in a car commercial or something.
6. 18 (Alice Cooper cover; Dave Pirner = lead vox; Ed Ackerson = elec gtr; Jim Boquist = elec gtr) Took a while to get this "train wreck" going - two false starts. Very Smog-ish moment indeed. This and the next song definitely evoked the drunken, murky joy of the earliest GS live shows back in the '80s at places like the Cabooze, Uptown Bar, 400 Bar (original version) etc.
7. Shooting Star (Bad Co. cover; Dave Pirner = lead vox) The set ended like it started - with a "star" song. Pirner at his finest. Think i actually saw a few lighters up in the air.

Bunch of other guys played, too.