23 November, 2004- Ambassador, Dublin, Ireland
review by Conor
The key to Mark Lanegan's current state of mind
can be seen and heard by the reworking of his 2001 track, Resurrection
Song, on his current tour of Europe. This song wasn't - to my knowledge
- played live before, and its new arrangement with full electric band
punching out the original acoustic chords was simply revelatory. As
he has indicated in several interviews this year, Lanegan has had
some kind of epiphany and no longer seems to be the dour, sullen guy
who searched for sweet oblivion in every substance available. On the
inner sleeve to his new album, Bubblegum, he is even smiling, something
rare for him. "If Mark Lanegan can smile," a friend of mine said recently,
"then there is some hope left in the world."
Like Nick Cave before him, Lanegan has let go of the demons and drugs
which could have destroyed or diminished him. Unlike other artists
who cleaned themselves up and got deathly boring, Lanegan is now in
the rare group of musicians who have gone on to produce music which
not only equals but surpasses their often inebriated past output of
the past. He can still tap into darkness, which is a big part of his
appeal, but no longer has the need to stay there too long anymore.
Whatever reconciliation he has done with his soul, it is to be applauded,
especially considering that this is a man who had Kurt Cobain and
Layne Stanley as pals.
The concert at Dublin's Ambassador was the largest venue he'd played
in Dublin as a solo artist, though he did grace the same stage at
the memorable QOTSA gig in 2002. To this listener's ears, it really
isn't the best venue for the likes of Lanegan - much too big, plus
booming echoey sound doesn't help either. Still, the band looked great
(with a low-key Nick Oliveri playing 2nd guitar) and played possibly
the best overall live arrangements of Lanegan's material that I've
ever seen. They were tight-but-loose and kept things moving along
nicely. The inclusion of QOTSA's 'Autopilot' was quite poignant and
a declaration that the whole QOTSA/Lanegan gang are drinking from
the same well - they just want to play rock and roll with a lotta
soul, despite whatever problems may occur (i.e. Oliveri's sacking
from QOTSA). It's a collaborative spirit that is refreshing and inspiring.
Others take note.
Lanegan's new happier state also is visible in his stage movements.
He seems loosened-up and more relaxed. Even his sign-off of "Thanks
for coming out tonight, see you again" was loaded with a sincerity
and feeling. At one point during the show, one could imagine Lanegan
being close to the state of mind where he could let go of his vice-grip
on the mic stand and move around the stage. Okay, maybe not like Freddie
Mercury, but it would be great to see this man, who lived perilously
close to oblivion for so long, dance with joy on-stage. Considering
his wide-ranging past, anything is possible for Lanegan, so who knows
where he'll dance next? Keep on rollin!
review by Killian
Had an absolute nightmare getting to the venue - so
bad we missed Nick Oliveri and the first 2 songs of Mark's set. I
blame the drink myself. When we got there the band were playing Wedding
Dress. Mark was in fine voice but the sound wasn't great (never is
in the Ambassador).
The place was packed - most people were quietly gazing at the band.
Other songs included (not in order) One Way Street, When You're Number
Isn't Up, Can't Come Down, Come to Me, No Easy Action, Miracle, I'll
Take Care of You, Skeletal History, Like Little Willie John, Driving
Death Valley Blues, Resurrection Song and he finished with Methamphetamine
Blues.
For the encore the band played Blues for D and then the female singer
(Shelley ?) sang Strange Religion. Mark came back out to play Auto
Pilot with Nick Oliveri then they played a powerful version of Gospel
Plow before finishing with a nicely drawn out Fix.
The gig seemed a little short, but I suppose it didn't help getting
there late. Was trying to find out what we missed, think it was Sideways
In Reverse and Hit the City.
review by Conor
G
The first major crowd roar of the night comes during Nick Oliveri's
solo support set, not quite when Mark takes the stage, but as he sings
the first line, his unique baritone filling the venue in a way that
only he can.
The biggest change from previous tours is that it's very much a band
performance, with some powerhouse drumming and guitar pyrotechnics
to the fore on the furious double intro of Sideways in Reverse and
Hit the City. It's a broader live sound than before, greatly augmented
by Shelly Brien's vocals.
Light onstage is as minimal as ever, as are Mark's movements - if
he isn't clutching the microphone he's skulking back to the drum riser
during instrumental parts to towel off and skull water, like a boxer
between rounds.
Most of the material is culled from Field Songs and Bubblegum, with
a few oddities thrown in for good measure.
I'll Take Care of You is a highlight, a funereal Motown number with
a bad hangover, the music secondary to Mark's aching rumble of a voice.
A minor gripe would be Metamphetamine Blues losing its industrial
groove live and perhaps the absence of Borracho from the setlist,
but that's just nitpicking.
Shelly sings Strange Religion solo in the encore, and it loses none
of its power. Even the ancient Trees' number Ivy gets an outing, along
with the Dust's Gospel Plow, both acquitting themselves well among
newer solo material.
As has become customary on this tour, Mark exits early, the band playing
an elongated outro of Fix for several minutes. The crowd had just
gotten theirs.
Setlist
Sideways in Reverse
Hit The City
Wedding Dress
One Way Street
When Your Number Isn't Up
No Easy Action/Miracle
Little Willie John
Can't Come Down
Resurrection Song
Come To Me
Death Valley Driving Blues
I'll Take Care of You
Skeletal History
Methamphetamine Blues
Blues for D
Strange Religion (Shelley)
Autopilot
Ivy
Gospel Plow
review by siner
I was at the Dublin gig last night and it was great,
Nicks set was cool really relaxed and friendly mark came on to sing
Four Corners and left Autopilot for his set. Marks set had lot of
stuff from Bubblegum like Meth Blues, wedding Dress, When Your Number
isn't Up, the two singles and pretty much the same as other dates.
I'll Take Care of You, No Easy Action, One Way Street, Resurrection
Song and Field Song was played and Fix at the end was amazing (really
trippy). The coolest thing was I got to meet Mark outside the venue
(cos i was there four hours before the gig started and saw him about
three times before i gathered up the guts to approach him), he signed
my ticket and my Bubblegum cover in shiny silver pen, he was really
friendly and all on his lonesome....I was right in front of Mark the
whole night and caught a drumstick at the end...I'm pissed tho cos
I had a camera to take pics of the gig but when I met mark I was so
flustered that I didn't think of getting my pic with him.