CONCERT REVIEW - Ben Kweller March 03, 2009 * Headliner's Music Hall * Louisville, KY
MP3: Ben Kweller - Fight!
MP3: Ben Kweller - Fight!
Ben Kweller is widely regarded as a hit-and-miss artist. His quirky, lo-fi indie pop debut Sha Sha is still regarded by many as a masterpiece, but since then, Kweller has had trouble maintaining his appeal. So it didn’t seem all that odd when the Texas songwriter announced last year that he was “going country.”
Changing Horses, Kweller’s honky-tonk debut, hit ATO records in January and offers a glimpse of Kweller that almost seems fitting. At times playing like an ode to Willie – at other times playing like an ode to Ryan Adams trying to be Willie – Changing Horses is a fun listen and a strong new addition to an already established and accomplished library of songs.
But it is live on stage where Kweller truly sells his transition to country crooner.
Leading on acoustic guitar (and the occasional number on piano), Kweller was supported by an accomplished and well-oiled 3 piece band manning steel guitar, drums and bass. The crew emerged on stage with the lights dim and the worked-up crowd in a frenzy.
“Heeeeeey!” Ben clamored with southern charm. “We’re here! Thanks for waiting. This song is called ‘Walk On Me’ from my first album Sha Sha.” The room exploded.
Kweller and company kept their set tight and lively. Pauses were few as the quartet tumbled through most of Changing Horses and a large sampling of the Kweller back catalogue. To maintain consistency, Kweller has tweaked most of his deep cuts, dusting them with steel guitar and slight mood changes. Sha Sha’s “Family Tree” now floats with an upbeat twang. On My Way’s “The Rules” shimmies with strong steel guitar.
Many have tried this transition in the past, but few have succeeded like this. Kweller’s updated versions make his songs sound new and fully-realized. As much as this genre move looked and felt like a gimmick initially, it may have actually been the sunshine pop of Kweller’s past that was the real fake.
The band said goodnight and led the crowd through “Falling” with Kweller on piano. The venue was in full-tilt sing-along. After an extremely genuine encore call, Kweller and company returned to whip the crowd into a Gospel-sing style frenzy with Changing Horses’ “Fight” and the 2006 fan favorite “Penny on a Train Track.”
Changing Horses, Kweller’s honky-tonk debut, hit ATO records in January and offers a glimpse of Kweller that almost seems fitting. At times playing like an ode to Willie – at other times playing like an ode to Ryan Adams trying to be Willie – Changing Horses is a fun listen and a strong new addition to an already established and accomplished library of songs.
But it is live on stage where Kweller truly sells his transition to country crooner.
Leading on acoustic guitar (and the occasional number on piano), Kweller was supported by an accomplished and well-oiled 3 piece band manning steel guitar, drums and bass. The crew emerged on stage with the lights dim and the worked-up crowd in a frenzy.
“Heeeeeey!” Ben clamored with southern charm. “We’re here! Thanks for waiting. This song is called ‘Walk On Me’ from my first album Sha Sha.” The room exploded.
Kweller and company kept their set tight and lively. Pauses were few as the quartet tumbled through most of Changing Horses and a large sampling of the Kweller back catalogue. To maintain consistency, Kweller has tweaked most of his deep cuts, dusting them with steel guitar and slight mood changes. Sha Sha’s “Family Tree” now floats with an upbeat twang. On My Way’s “The Rules” shimmies with strong steel guitar.
Many have tried this transition in the past, but few have succeeded like this. Kweller’s updated versions make his songs sound new and fully-realized. As much as this genre move looked and felt like a gimmick initially, it may have actually been the sunshine pop of Kweller’s past that was the real fake.
The band said goodnight and led the crowd through “Falling” with Kweller on piano. The venue was in full-tilt sing-along. After an extremely genuine encore call, Kweller and company returned to whip the crowd into a Gospel-sing style frenzy with Changing Horses’ “Fight” and the 2006 fan favorite “Penny on a Train Track.”
Photo courtesy of http://backseatsandbar.com
1 comment:
Hell yeah! It was an incredible experience and taught me never to go into a concert with preconceptions if they are unfounded!
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