Greg Brown w/ Kelly Joe Phelps
Bryant Lake Bowl
Minneapolis, MN
1-18-97
For the gearheads out there (and we know who we are)
- Greg played a Martin 000-18
- Kelly Joe played a 50's/60's Gibson Dreadnaught, set
up Dobro style with mondo nut and saddle
'64 DODGE
always have liked this song, but this version was an
epiphany of sorts. Greg had the slow chunky groove
happening and Kelly Joe floated in and out with incredible
ease. Novemberrrrrrr.
Greg introduces "my friend Kelly Joe Phelps" and then suggests that any requests be printed on bar napkins folded into airplanes and tossed to the stage. Many took him up on it throughout the show. Those of us in the front row 8-) forwarded the aerodynamically unsuccessful attempts.
ONE WRONG TURN
the first tune where Kelly Joe stepped out. He took an
incredible break where the notes just cascaded top to
bottom and back again. Feet were movin as the boys were groovin.
SHE MOVES THRU THE FAIR
another contemplative piece. Kelly Joe didn't have much to
add and the audience applauded politely.
SADNESS
a nice uptempo version highlighted by some manic chicken pickin'
by Kelly Joe Phelps.
LITTLE VAGABOND
a relaxed presentation of a little vagabond that is not
particularly complaining that "the church is cold but the
ale house is warm." GB effortlessly makes William Blake's
words his own.
Greg breaks a G string and lets us know that the show "will now feature Kelly Joe."
CLIMBIN A HIGH MOUNTAIN (?)
as he had earlier in the evening during Prairie Home Companion,
Kelly Joe proved highly capable of taking center stage. A
powerful gospel tune (the first of a few for the evening).
KJP surprised me (I'd thought of him 'til then as "just"
a guitar player) with a firm, smooth voice. Greg's review
of the song ... "I'm gonna break some MORE strings."
OUT IN THE COUNTRY
This song highlighted the difference between this show and
the times I'd seen Greg solo. Kelly Joe Phelps moved in and
out of the old timey fingerpickin of Greg, giving the song
a feel of a campfire jam. Not that I've been to campfire
jams quite this good 8-) but hopefully you get the idea. Greg
didn't tell any of his stories ... it felt more like an
informal get together.
ONE COOL REMOVE
Kelly Joe added a wonderful touch to this dreamlike escapade.
Some songs, one can forget they're listening to music until
the song is over and silence breaks the spell. "A song I
wrote about Suzanne Vega. At least that's what I thought it
was about."
TWO LITTLE FEET
Though I like the song, this version was decidedly uninspired.
HEY BABY HEY
Once again Kelly Joe tunes up an already well running song.
It'll be hard for me to hear solo versions of this song
without thinking of what KJ adds. Mission accomplished,
Mr. Phelps.
THERE IS A FOUNTAIN
I remember thinking that it would've been OK with me if Greg
and Kelly Joe finished the evening with gospel songs.
Very moving.
WHO WOULDA THUNK IT?
A big fat chunky rythym with Kelly Joe dancing across the
groove. A real crowd pleaser.
DREAM CAFE
Greg did this one up boogie style that some felt drained the
song of its emotion
FOGGY FOGGY BLUE (?)
Kind of a nice song that I hadn't heard before. Very laid back.
MOSE ALLISON PLAYED HERE
Hopefully everyone gets to hear this one soon...Greg paints
a picture of a hostile environment in a dive bar with a brush
that is still sticky with week old beer. Way Cool.
PRETTY BOY FLOYD
Greg does this Woody Guthrie tune in a style very true to
Woody's. Shhhh don't tell anybody but I think Greg's songs
are better 8-)
THINK ABOUT YOU
Can you imagine a "bad" version of this song? Naw. A bit
more subtle presentation than the CD version.
I SHALL NOT BE MOVED
I thought each of the gospel tunes were exceptional. Kelly Joe
sang harmony for the only time of the evening and did a great
job.
LAST FAIR DEAL GOIN DOWN
A great country blues ending for the evening. Greg and Kelly
Joe disappear into the black tunnel at stage rear of the now
infamous and legendary Bryant Lake Bowl.
_____
Paul
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