Review: Golden Smog - 7/23/06 - First Ave. - Mpls, MN

Here’s my attempt at a setlist and a brief review for last night’s Golden Smog show in Mpls. The heat almost disintegrated the paper I had in my shirt pocket – yes, it was that hot in there – so there may be a few glitches.

All in all, it was a very enjoyable show. Lots of high points and a few rough spots, although it wouldn’t be a “real" Smog show without either of those, would it? A good chunk of the new album was played along with a boatload of key tracks from the last two Smog albums. Considering they’re one of the best cover bands on the planet, it was somewhat shocking to hear only 3 covers: “Starman” (recorded a few years ago for a movie that never came out; actually predates “Corvette” as the beginning of this current chapter of Smoggish activity), “Tarpit” (Gary said this was played at the very first Smog show “back at the 400 Bar” – don’t think it’s been uncorked since the early ‘90s, although Kraig and Gary did a beautiful acoustic version last month on The Current), and “Revolution Blues” (easily one of the best moments last night – they can play this every show AFAIK and I wouldn’t complain). In typical Smog fashion, they threw up a curve ball during the encore, a possible cover sang by Danny called “Scotch On Ice.” It’s a very odd little ditty about the “pleasures” of an, um, “inflatable” friend. “He’s a Dick” is positively Dylan-esque compared to this! One of the outtakes from the new Smog album was also played, complete with the horn section. Some of these outtakes plus some covers (including “Tarpit”) supposedly will be on the EP coming out this winter.

As some have pointed out, the mix was far from perfect and Gary seemed to be bothered by monitor problems all night. I was there for most of the soundcheck and everybody was real happy with how things were going. Not sure what happened between then and show time. There were some false starts and flubbed lyrics, but things actually went pretty smooth for a “first show.” A few more shows like this to iron out the kinks and I think they could be “road worthy” for a possible September mini-tour (KYFC).

Guest star of the night was definitely Janey Winterbauer (from Astronatut Wife, who are currently recording a new album for Susstones), who ably handled the Holly Marilyn and Muni Loco vocal parts on “5-22-02” and “Cure For This,” respectively. BTW, Janey sang lead on “Beautiful Day” (another Perlman song that didn’t make the cut for the new Smog record) last year at the Fitzgerald in St. Paul for the Polara “Guest Session Sundays” concert. Also providing invaluable help on piano, organ and synth was Fil Krohnengold, a super-talented guy who has played with a host of people including David Poe and Duncan Sheik. He’s sat in with The Program a few times and also played with the Smogsters when they did 2 benefit shows at the Bowery Ballroom in New York in August 2004. Speaking of the Program, every person on stage last night except Jody Stephens and Janey Winterbauer has either played or guested with The Program at one time or another the past few years.

In the end, ‘twas a fun, fun night as the boys triumphantly celebrated the release of their new album before a mostly adoring hometown crowd. Given Gary’s predilection for avoiding MN during the Olson/Louris tours, I guess we should be extra grateful that we were afforded such a special treat! :-)



Golden Smog
7/23/06
First Ave. – Minneapolis, MN

BAND
Gary Louris – Guitars, vocals, harmonica, keyboards
Kraig Johnson – Guitars, vocals, harmonica, bass, keyboards
Dan Murphy – Guitars, vocals, keyboards
Marc Perlman – Bass, guitar, percussion, vocals
Jody Stephens – Drums
Fil Krohnengold – keyboards, Guitar, vocals

GUESTS
Jim Boquist – Guitars, bass, vocals
Ed Ackerson – Guitars, vocals
Janey Winterbauer – vocals
The Horny Horns


SETLIST
Until You Came Along (JB=gtr, bg vox)
You Make It Easy (GL=keys)
V (GL=keys; FK=ac gtr)
To Call My Own (JB=ac gtr, bg vox; KJJ=bass; MP=ac gtr)
Beautiful Mind
Won’t Be Coming Home
Ill-Fated
5-22-02 (w/The Horny Horns; JW = bg vox
Starman [Bowie cover] (JB = bg vox)
Frying Pan Eyes (no DM; EA=gtr, bg vox)
Jennifer Save Me (no DM; EA=gtr)
Look at Me Now (w/The Horny Horns)
Hurricane
Think For Yourself
Never Felt Before (w/The Horny Horns)
Cure For This (JW=lead vox; MP=ac gtr; GL=omnichord)
Another Fine Day (DM=keys; EA=gtr)
He’s a Dick
If I Only Had a Car (KJJ=keys)
Corvette

encore
Gone (MP=perc; Blake H.=tambourine)
Tarpit [Dinosaur Jr. cover]
Revolution Blues [Neil Young cover] (2nd half: JB=bass; MP=gtr)
Scotch On Ice (??)
Looking Forward to Seeing You