Two Mornings After

Thanks to my wonderful friend Trish, I was able to attend the James show October 5th. It was rushing all day for me, from kids doctor appointments to dashing to work, to dashing to the sitters, to dashing back home and thank goodness dinner was waiting. Then it was mad dash down town. I think we made it in record time. I was only brave enough to look at the speedometer once, but when Trish drives, you know you’ll be on-time, even if you left late!
It was first time ever going to the Complex, it apparently has 3 stages, and there was another show going on for the local disillusioned, angsty radio station and James. Most of the people we saw were headed to the other show, we only got there about 20 minutes before they opened the doors, but we managed to get a spot about 3 rows of people from the front just right of center. The room was long and narrow, and probably tinier then anything this band has played in a long time. In Europe they play huge stadium shows. Trish and I got our James shirts and settled in. The opening act was a singer/songwriter named Ed Harcourt, whose album I am strongly considering buying. He played the piano, and the guitar, sometimes in the same song and really wailed. Unfortunately the sound was pretty muddy, at least where we were and while I enjoyed the sound, it wasn’t the best place to decide if he was really awesome or not. We could barely understand what he was saying when he spoke. His drummer looked like a young Gregory House, he didn’t look like Hugh Laurie, the actor that plays house, but House, and the bassist chick reminded me of Kate Beckett from the show Castle. Ed was resplendent in his 3 piece suit, those Europeans sure are stylish. His set seemed long, probably almost an hour, but since he was the only opener, he may have been able to play as long as he liked. I made a mental note to check him out on iTunes and hoped to get my picture with him afterwards since he was adorable and I knew that if I did like his music, I would want a picture of me with him.
Just before James took the stage, some loud, noisy drunk joined the group just behind us. How is it that they always know when to come in and how do they always get these great spots when they walk in late? That’s always the way. He seemed like he was completely wasted and I was apprehensive about how his presence would affect the rest of us.
James came out, Tim Booth looked like a pirate with a knit cap, a dark black goatee and striped baggy pants. Almost “Hammer-esque” pants, but they didn’t taper. The first song was Seven and I knew that this was going to be an awesome show. Tim lost his cap quickly and I realized I had never seen him perform before. He likes to dance, and his dancing reminds me of the episode of Friends where Rachel takes Phoebe running in the park, crossed with a seizure. It’s good he’s a rock star, because dancing like that, he’d never get chicks if he wasn’t.
Next was She’s a Star, what a great song. Unfortunately I was getting pounded by the drunk. After several massive elbows to my skull, I turned around to confront. I’m not sure what I was thinking, there’s no way I could have done anything to hurt him, even if he could feel pain at this point, which I’m not certain he would. Luckily before my impulses took too much over, Trish grabbed me and switched spots with me. I shook it off, but this guy’s singing was so loud, that even with the huge speakers in my face, I couldn’t hear very well. After enduring 2 more songs near the man, Trish and I escaped stage right after I said I would rather be in the back then next to this guy. At this point we could really start enjoying things. The first song from the new album come up, 10 Below. It’s a great song and I was so happy that I had purchased this on iTunes and listened to it a bunch of times and it was followed up by the best song from the new album, Tell Her I Said So. Time says what a great setup we had here in Salt Lake, we could drop the “kids” at the concert next door and then the grown-ups could be at this show. Since they were going to be competing with sound, they would play some louder songs. Then my favorite moment of the night. Just Like Fred Astaire. One of my favorite James’ songs. Time mentioned that it was easier to play this song in America then in some other countries they have played since we were so happy. During Getting Away with It I was surprised that to this point, out of 8 songs, I knew all but one of them. I love James, but I don’t “celebrate their whole collection.” I have their best of, their vital album Laid, their new album The Morning After and a few songs from other albums.
At this point, I had seen the drunk guy get to the very front of the stage and push a girl who couldn’t have been more than 5 ft tall and stumble around probably whacking other people the way he had me, then the guy just in front of Trish went after him, I think the drunk guy pushed his girlfriend as well. Trish and his girlfriend were both holding him back, but Trish was doing all the work, maybe his girlfriend wanted him to beat the crap out of this guy. Heavens knows that I wanted him too as well, but I also was telling him it wasn’t worth it. From the stage Tim says, “Cool it guys” and the boyfriend weaves to the front and yells: he’s pushing girls! And Tim asks if there is any security, apparently there were none, so Tim told the drunk to get into the corner. Everyone clapped. And thank goodness he stayed out of the way the rest of the night, I’m sure he was ruining everyone’s experience that he was near. You know it’s bad when the band has to take measures into their own hands to keep the peace.
Next came some songs I didn’t really know so I watched the band. They had a person who mostly played the trumpet. A dedicated trumpet player, I hadn’t realized there was so much brass in most James songs, and a guitar player that also moonlighted as a violin player, and boy was he good! His name was Saul and definitely looked English. Several of the band members looked like someone’s grandpa you would meet at a family reunion. Bald and wearing spectacle-glasses. Only 2 members looked like they were anywhere close to their 30s. There were 3 songs I wanted to hear, I had already heard Fred Astaire, but then they played PS, which I had put on one of my mixes a few weeks ago and was once again in love with it. Often if Tim wasn’t dancing like a maniac or singing, he would stand with his eyes closed, smiling, enjoying the music. At one point, Tim said we were just as loud as a stadium. The crowd seemed really into it. I didn’t see anyone who didn’t look thrilled to be there. During Say Something Tim got off the stage and started walking through the crowd, Exactly where Trish and I HAD been before we moved to be away from the drunk guy. Luckily he spent quite a bit of time in the crowd and started heading our way. He stopped in front of the boyfriend and I saw him ask if he was okay and the guy thanked Tim. Then he was facing me. It was a vocal break in the song and he stood there, arms folded, looking at me. I wanted to take a picture, but I didn’t want to flash in his face, I wanted to hug him, but the man is imposing in a way you wouldn’t think someone so thin looking would be. I finally settled on touching his arm and moving on, embarrassed that I couldn’t think of anything better to do or say. Then they started their hit song Laid. I tried to take a video, but my camera wouldn’t have it. I had to settle for jumping up and down and singing along. I had worried that age was creeping up on Tim’s voice and it wouldn’t be as strong as it was in 1993, but I didn’t need to worry, he hit those super high notes with ease. They left and we clapped and cheered and our encore was awesome. The first song was the first off the new album, a song about a man whose been dumped staring at dust motes trying to forgive the ex-girlfriend. Since the show next door was over they could know play some quieter songs, so this one started out sweet, of course it got loud and vindictive, as it should. Then Out to Get you melted into Sometimes. The keyboard player moved to the front and had some weird handheld keyboard you blow into. Like a cross between a keytair and an accordion. The final refrains of Sometimes: Sometimes when I look in your eyes, I can see your soul” the crowd started singing at the end and then the band stopped playing it was just the crowd singing. Tim stood with his eyes closed and a huge grin on his face. Then it was over. We cheered for a bit, but no more encores. Trish asked one of roadies cleaning up for the set list that had probably been Saul’s. Several people took pictures of the list and we walked out. I was sad that we wouldn’t be able to stay and wait for the band, as I get precious little sleep as it is. But low and behold. There were 6 band members. The only one missing was Tim, but since we had the set list, we went down the line and got everyone’s autograph. I got a photo with Saul and Ed Harcourt was also there so I got that photo with him. He photographs well, I’m pleased with the result. Talking to Saul we found out that after their last album, they did play Salt Lake and we just missed it, so apparently the moral of the story is if there is anyone you would like to see in concert, be on some kind of mailing list. Then Trish and I left, apparently Tim did come out to mingle with fans, but I only got 5 hours of sleep as it was, so while I would have liked to stay, I’m glad I did get some sleep. It was an awesome night and I can’t thank Trish enough for an amazing birthday present!