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| From | "Michael Bennett" <mrhonorama@hotmail.com> |
| Subject | Ted Leo/The Embrooks |
| Date | Thu, 18 Sep 2003 13:19:49 -0500 |
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Caught two shows in one night. Yes, I am quite tired.
Ted Leo is doing a solo jaunt, accompanied only by his electric guitar. In
a 1-hour set, he proved just what an amazing guitar player he is, playing
songs from all three of his records with Pharmacists, a Chisel tune, one of
his brother's tunes, two cool new songs and three covers -- The Replacements
"Can't Hardly Wait", The Jam's "Ghosts" and Split Enz's "Six Months in a
Leaky Boat" (Leo copped the phrase 'tyranny of distance' for his second LP
title).
Leo confirmed why he is one of the stellar talents in music today. His
chunky rhythm work and dazzling leads were matched by his expressive and
rangy (oft-strained) voice, all doing a good job of capturing his hooky and
innovative songs. Particularly impressive was his treatment of his songs
"Parallel or Together" and "The Ballad of the Sin Eater", both which rely a
great deal on percussion in their recorded forms. He found ways to play the
songs to adapt them splendidly to the solo thang.
All of the covers were cool. The Jam was a natural, as they are an obvious
influence. The Split Enz was particularly cool. He even whistled the
middle instrumental keyboard on the arrangement.
On top of all this, Leo is one of the most engaging performers you'll ever
see -- whether it's talking about breaking a guitar strap and string
simultaneously while performing at a friend's wedding, the folly of the
encore (why not just do the extra songs?) and how yelling "Free Bird" at
shows may be funny again, he really grabs the audience in a way few (Adam
Marsland?) can.
From that early show, met up with Auditeer Julie to see The Embrooks. The
top freakbeat band in the world was spectacular as usually, showing off
their Who, Hollies, Creation and Yardbirds influences and showing that they
play as well as those groups. All three members are ace, but special props
to Lois Toser, who rides the cymbals more than any drummer I've heard, and
it works so well, giving a bright sheen to the often otherwise bottom heavy
songs.
Mike Bennett
NP: Eleventh Dream Day -- PRAIRIE SCHOOL FREAKOUT
Record reviews and more at http://fufkin.com
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