When Chris Garneau sings, “I want to catch my death of cold,” a quiver in his voice makes the listener experience that cold himself. Hearing Garneau perform that line from “Black and Blue” at the Museum of Fine Arts, I found myself nursing a shiver, holding my goosebumped arms, and fighting the tears welled up in my eyes.
Evoking such emotion is quite the feat at the MFA’s Remis Auditorium. Though we comment on the venue every time we see a performance there, it requires repeating. The Remis is a bare, lifeless black box performance space, a strong contrast to the typical music club. Yet somehow it works. When we saw Dirty Projectors there, the seated audience didn’t even whisper between songs, allowing the listener to focus on every carefully crafted note the stoic Projectors released. For Low, the three band members stood with the most allowable space between them on the stark stage, complementing themes of loneliness in their music.
Likewise, the unusual space highlighted the intimate, timid, and insular nature of Garneau’s songs. Performing to a small crowd and accompanied only by cellist Anna Callner, Garneau’s softly delivered keyboard and vocals quietly told of strained relationships and deep, inward-looking contemplation. “Blackout,” as Garneau introduced it, promised to be a break from these themes, telling the story of New York City’s blackout from Summer 2003; but even these lyrics hinted at reticence and a personal relationship, possible hurting.
Garneau performed two songs—“The Leaving Song” and “Hands on the Radio”—from his new sophomore album El Radio, released the day before. Having just returned from a short tour in China, Garneau’s MFA performance opening for singer-songwriter John Wesley Harding appeared to be a warm-up for his New York CD release the following day. When future touring plans are announced, do not miss an opportunity to see him perform live.
Setlist:
01. The Leaving Song – El Radio
02. Relief – Music for Tourists
03. Hands on the Radio – El Radio
04. Winter Song #1 – unreleased
05. Black & Blue – Music for Tourists
06. Blue Suede Shoes – Music for Tourists
07. Island Song – C Sides
08. Blackout – C Sides
09. Not Nice – Music for Tourists
DOWNLOAD: Chris Garneau - Baby's Romance (MP3) or Follow us for more Chris Garneau MP3s (Twitter)
I LIKE THE OLD ONE! PEOPLE ON YOUTUBE ARE SAYING THE FREKIN’ JO BROS (WHO SUCK NO OFFENCE)ARE GOING TO BE THE BEATLES!!!!! “THE BEATLES, A TRIBUTE” ARE BETTER THAN THEM. DISNEY CHANEL SUCKS FOR TRYING TO0 REMAKE ONE OF THE BEST MOVIES OF ALL TIME!!!
by Claire on Wed Nov 11, 2009 at 10.51 pm from the entry: New Yellow Submarine movie to take flight
thanks all! as jeff noted, it was a pretty great show. and when they play with chali 2na i’ve heard it’s another level.
re: #11 - pure luck.
by josh on Wed Nov 11, 2009 at 06.37 pm from the entry: Ozomatli + Nathan Maxwell & the Original Bunny Gang - Crystal Ballroom (Portland, OR; Nov. 5, 2009)
what colin said.
by josh on Wed Nov 11, 2009 at 06.36 pm from the entry: Wiz Khalifa: Burn After Rolling (Mixtape)
Great photos! cool review! another great melophobe article!
by Josh Kincaid on Wed Nov 11, 2009 at 05.44 pm from the entry: Ozomatli + Nathan Maxwell & the Original Bunny Gang - Crystal Ballroom (Portland, OR; Nov. 5, 2009)
the photos are pretty legit.
by colin on Wed Nov 11, 2009 at 05.33 pm from the entry: Ozomatli + Nathan Maxwell & the Original Bunny Gang - Crystal Ballroom (Portland, OR; Nov. 5, 2009)
love picture #11, Bean. way to capture a moment.
by chris on Wed Nov 11, 2009 at 05.20 pm from the entry: Ozomatli + Nathan Maxwell & the Original Bunny Gang - Crystal Ballroom (Portland, OR; Nov. 5, 2009)
But don’t the lyrics have to be there for it to be interesting? They are just run of the mill and it’s not like the beats are all that interesting. There is plenty of better stuff to smoke to, hip hop or otherwise.
by Colin on Wed Nov 11, 2009 at 04.29 pm from the entry: Wiz Khalifa: Burn After Rolling (Mixtape)
Mmmmm...cello.
Good voice. Thank you.