The Black Keys Fan Lounge » Reviews

Review: El Camino by The Black Keys

MirbyGnits — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 22:00:03 +0000

This is a guest post by MirbyGnits, who previously reviewed The Black Keys’ Brothers album for the Fan Lounge.

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After ten years, three record labels, six albums, three Grammy Awards, and hundreds of shows on a handful of continents… how much gas can The Black Keys possibly have left in the tank? El Camino is the seventh album by The Black Keys, and rather than slow down, they’ve wisely chosen to bury the needle. According to recent interviews, the band decided to go into the studio with a blank slate rather than write songs ahead of time. Brian “Danger Mouse” Burton is along for the ride, and his presence and style are definitely felt.

El Camino is faster than anything The Black Keys have done before, and for the most part – it works. Very rarely does it feel like a song is being rushed or doesn’t have room to breathe. You’ll find quite a mixed bag of influences within. Most notable are elements of 70’s and 80’s rock, pop, glam, punk, disco, soul and even a dash of reggae. Flashes of everything from Billy Joel and Michael Jackson to Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, and beyond. The tones, textures, and sound quality of the album are superb.

Overall, El Camino’s vibe is considerably less dark and spooky than much of the band’s previous work. I’d even describe it musically as “fun” or “happy” – which would actually make a lot of sense, since Dan and Patrick seemingly have little left to prove these days. It’s definitely an album to sing and dance to, and that’ll come in handy because the ‘Keys are playing to larger crowds than ever before. Songs like “Lonely Boy” and “Gold on the Ceiling” are going to absolutely KILL live. In fact, most of the songs on this album seem to have been written with the live performance in mind.

“Run Right Back” has a crunchy delicious groove and is undeniably catchy. It’s literally been stuck in my head since I first heard it. And “Sister” (which is probably my favorite on the album right now) is a bonafide ass-shaker that can easily strut toe-to-toe with the King of Pop’s “Billie Jean” – and THAT is one hell of an accomplishment. “Little Black Submarines” is an epic beast of a song that starts out strategically soft and quiet, but builds up into a fiery runaway freight train of classic rock goodness.

El Camino does have its share of disappointments too, however. Songs like “Hell of a Season” and “Dead and Gone” are far from filler, but they definitely don’t grab you like the rest of the album does. And “Stop Stop” (which reminds me a little bit of “Get Ready” by The Temptations) is a great track, and supremely soulful, but it’s just BEGGING for some horns. I would really like to see that one done up live with a horn section.

While it may not be their absolute best work to date, it’s still as good or better than anything anyone else has put out this year, and I’d be happy to find my stocking stuffed with a copy this Holiday season. Solid effort.

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The Black Keys Do New York: 2 Nights, 3 Concerts

brucini — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 21:32:04 +0000

Never thought too much of The Black Keys was enough, but after a steamy New York affair of 3 shows in 2 days any fan might feel a bit puffed.

The Black Keys’ played Tuesday 27 and Wednesday 28 July at Summer Stage in Central Park, NYC. On Wednesday night after the Summer Stage show they completed a double header playing after midnight at Terminal 5. To see all the shows was a privilege.

These then are some rambling notes on those shows. It’s not a review. More fumbled reflections in the days after the nights before.

Summer Stage is a festival site, without being at a festival. The stage area is crowned by over-hanging trees. Dragon flies and butterflies flit in the dimming light.

Dan Johnson, Dan Auerbach’s guitar tech, calmly walks the stage preparing the instruments.

Gawd bless the American sense of personal space. It’s easy to squeeze in relatively close to the front of the stage. Each fan likes to be at least another body width away from the next. Odd, but welcomed.

You can buy like 10 beers at once and they even give you a tray to carry them with. Should be enough to last the show, it is broiling hot after all. Too bad each beer costs $7 each.

The sample of GZA’s “Liquid Swords” used to herald The Black Keys’ arrival on stage is inspired. A good heads up before the cheers of the crowd start a surge of excitement that ripples through all.

A different set list is played for each show. The three shows build upon themselves in tempo and reaction to the crowds and venue.

Pat plays the first song of each set with his glasses on. From then on, glasses removed, he never again cares to look at the drums.

Dan switched between his Rickenbacker, Harmony and Supro guitars.

The Wednesday show at Summer Stage for some reason is more intense than the Tuesday. The crowd is much more demonstrative.

Tuesday the band break down the tempo and jam, groovin’ through the mid-tempo numbers, where as the Wednesday shows increase intensity and offer a harder/faster dynamic.

At times it looks like Pat is playing jazz licks on his symbols on the slower grooves, just pacing time waiting for the next moment to smash another stick.

The Black Keys are like a New York Hot Dog – they keep their schtick at street level; they don’t pretend to be what they aint; every now and then they change up with a little sauerkraut or extra sauce to keep things fresh.

The Black Keys’ have no groupies. All the fans are rounded up and shooed away at Summer Stage. No one tries to hang back. A Security guy says there were heaps of Groupies for The Flaming Lips the night before.

The Security guy also says the guy who sweeps up all the beer cans at the end of the shows a while back used to be real quick – so many cans, means good money for a dude with a crack habit.

The Summer Stage shows are probably the first/last Black Keys’ shows you’ll ever receive free Zinc pure coconut water with pomegranate berry as you leave the venue.

Jumping a cab to Terminal 5 and being dropped off on a freeway, because the cabbie has no idea where the venue is and doesn’t care, is a perfect NY kiss off. He must like us in a NYC kinda way.

Terminal 5 is a bunker, proper heavy concrete in contrast to the light green leaves of Central Park. Walk inside and it’s a cauldron. Fans hanging from the three levels. The floor-bound fans pressing forward – gone all principles of personal space.

The crowd is so ravenous at Terminal 5. The only way forward for The Black Keys is to seemingly meet the energy, draw from it and re-present it to the fans. They do so.

Dan Johnson still seems calm. Different drum kit set up. Any problem with any gear is dealt to with a fast-paced walk, never a run.

I’m not sure how Dan and Pat are feeling after coming off stage at Terminal 5, their bodies no doubt sapped but hearts’ aglow. 13,000 fans in 2 nights sated.

The band are in such a groove that every show has seemed so dialled in to the moment; it’s clinical but not by rote.

You know you are getting somewhere when the NY Times does a review and photo of your show for the Arts section the day after. Equally, Time Out had a double page spread the previous week.

It’s not all downhill from here, but it’s certainly not going to be as uphill for The Black Keys.

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The Black Keys From The Photo Pit In Black And White

yup_i_am_a_keys_fan — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 03:37:12 +0000

This is a guest post by forum member and photographer yup_i_am_a_keys_fan.
You can see more images by the author here www.flickr.com/natebnate and here www.beforetheblink.com

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As a diehard fan of live music, I’ve been going out to see shows for years now. Certainly I’ve dished out many-a-high fives to strangers after hearing the song I’d been hoping to hear live. I’ve stood in amazement at small bars and large halls watching as the night’s musicians captivated everyone in attendance. You’re damn right I’ve joined countless other concert goers in drunken shouts for an encore – that’s what watching a concert is all about! You get to witness a performance that will never happen again and enjoy it with friends and strangers alike! It’s awesome in my opinion – one of the most enjoyable things in life.

Somewhere along the way I started bringing my camera to capture some of these epic moments, yet I was never able to shoot my favorite band of the modern era: The Black Keys. It’s odd too because I grew up 20 minutes outside of Akron, OH, and have seen Pat and Dan play many many times – from free outdoor shows in their hometown and nearby college campuses to historical venues such as San Francisco’s The Fillmore.

However, this all changed on June 10, 2010, when I had the privilege of shooting their show at the Pageant in St. Louis, MO, for a local publication. Yeah, sure it was the same idea as the many shows that I have previously taken my camera to: try and get some good images of the band, capture the moment as it is happening, and have a kick ass time regardless. But this wasn’t really the same – it was the Black Keys for chrissakes! It was the band from back home that fuckin’ made it! The Ones who I’ve been rockin’ out to since the days of The Big Come Up! The two dudes who make music that I’m proud to crank the volume up to Twelve and give a fist pump out the car window…all the while singing out of key at the top of my lungs! I had the opportunity to photograph the Black Keys and I was fucking amped!

And let me tell you it was definitely every bit as cool as I thought it was going to be. Although I had to maneuver throughout the photo pit on crutches because of a broken leg, and deal with nearly falling on my ass every time I stood to snap a shot, it was well worth it. Not only was I able lean on the stage to take photos of the boys for the first few songs, but I also got to get smacked right in the face with that wicked engulfing sound that comes out with the very first note of Thickfreakness. That shit is sick! – no matter where you are in the crowd. During that same song I had an unobstructed view of Dan doing a moonwalk type shuffle across the stage as he filled the room with nasty thick tastes of what every guitar shredder in the room wanted to hear! UnFuckingBelieveable!!

Minutes later I’m in front of Patrick’s kit watching him beat the shit out of the drums on 10am Automatic. To hear it on your stereo speakers is one thing, but to feel that pulsating rhythm in a room of 2,400 rowdy motherfuckers is something entirely different. And here I was inches away from him, watching one of the most under appreciated drummers of today deliver gut punching magic with each drop of his heavy hands. I was floored. Absolutely stunned, and so caught up in the moment that I had to remind myself to get behind the lens and capture these moments.

For the first five songs I stood there, a broken legged photographer, soaking up all of this beautiful sweaty funkiness. All the while, never afraid to act like a proud Black Keys supporter. That’s right – with camera in hand I was fist pumping in unison with the crowd as Patrick pounded out the backbeat. Not hesitating to scream out “Fuck-Yeah” when Dan stood at the edge of the stage, hovering over me, laying down his undeniable dirtiness for the very appreciative crowd. You can bet your ass that 15 songs later I was lost somewhere in the crowd, high-fiving the gal next to me, and yelling wildly for the band from back home to give us just a couple-a-more heaping spoonfuls of their energy and creativity to chew on for the rest of the night. Like all of the great bands do, the Black Keys walked back on stage, took hold of their instruments, thanked the crowd for their ferociously loyal support, and continued to fucking Rock-n-Roll!
Long Live the Black Keys!

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Review: Brothers by The Black Keys

MirbyGnits — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 03:11:09 +0000

The Black Keys’ new album Brothers, to be released May 18 2010, is a fantastic collection of songs and tales that will take you on a dark, soulful (and sometimes sinful), reverb-soaked journey – complete with psychedelic scenery.

There are tales of triumph and treason, of revelry and revenge, of desire, and of death. This time around The Black Keys bring less of their signature 6-string sound, and more keys and bass guitar. There is plenty of percussion present (maracas, sleigh bells!?), and heavy doses of fuzz, wah-wah, and tremolo/vibrato. There are even some guest vocals on four tracks by Nikki Wray (Blakroc).

This is “psych-soul” in its absolute purest form.

“Everlasting Light” (with its T-Rex vibe) is the perfect opener highlighted by Dan throwin’ down some great falsetto vocals, remarkably in just ONE TAKE! “She’s Long Gone” has a droning & intoxicating riff and a matching tribal beat that’ll have you in a trance before you can say “Radio Moscow”. And the instrumental masterpiece “Black Mud” sounds something like a late-night back-alley bare-knuckle boxing match between CCR and Black Sabbath! (Ozzy, not Dio)

Dan brings back those falsetto vocals as the band takes a slight step towards disco on “The Only One“, before the journey finds us riding horseback towards a Sonoran desert sunset with an ass-pocket full of whiskey on “Too Afraid To Love You” (which sounds an awful lot like a long lost B-side to Dan’s “When I Left The Room”). It’s a haunting, glorious, modern-day cowboy song, with a serious southwestern feel to it.

“10 Cent Pistol” has a classic (albeit darker) 1960′s Detroit/Motown vibe – it sounds like it could easily be the more soulful/sinister/psychedelic sister of “Stack Shot Billy”. And ”Sinister Kid” is a slinky, steamy, southern sex-machine that will have you bobbing your head in seconds flat. It’s THE song I wanna hear on my next visit to the strip club – with only the finest “T&A” shakin’ just for daddy! The raunchy, gritty slide-guitar solo ALONE is worth the price of admission.

“I’m Not The One” is an epic, tension-building, reggae-ish anthem of an unlikely hero. Speaking of unlikely heroes, “Unknown Brother” is a beautiful song that could easily be mistaken for the best of John Lennon’s solo stuff (and that is a HUGE compliment). Towards the end, The Black Keys do full-powered justice to Jerry Butler’s “Never Give You Up” – especially Dan, whose vocals are “oh so pretty” and chock-full of emotion.

Brothers finishes strong, and leaves us feeling a bit nostalgic with the powerful ballad “These Days“. The metal glockenspiel sprinkled throughout suits this tune perfectly, and the lyrics/vocals will have you goosebumped and smiling while you reach for the nearest box of tissues.

Overall, Brothers is a solid album that’s bound for success. It seems like a very natural progression for The Black Keys, it has elements from several of their recent projects. I’d probably describe it as a mix of approximately 40% “Keep It Hid”, 40% The Black Keys, and 20% Blakroc. It’s easily packing the necessary heat to propel the band to the next level of superstardom. Only time will tell.

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Review: The Black Keys @ 94.9 Independence Jam 2009 including Set List

brucini — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 02:57:46 +0000

This is the first post from Jade Luber for The Black Keys Fan Lounge .

I arrived at the front of the line at Oceanside, California at 2:30 PM to enter the gates of 94.9 FM’s Independence Jam 2009. Dead Confederate, Metric, Yeah Yeah Yeahs were set to open for the headliners The Black Keys.

Gates opened at 4 PM and immediately the hundreds of people waiting ran to the main stage to get the front row view at the beautiful venue right near the shore. You could hear the waves crashing as fans awaited eagerly to stand for 6 hours rocking out to some amazing bands.

Dead Confederate and Metric did a great job of getting the crowd pumped. It wasn’t until the Yeah Yeah Yeahs got up to rock, however, that people started crowd surfing. A beardless Dan Auerbach watched them from the side for about 45 minutes ’til their setup was started. Dan seemed to be enjoying Karen O playing with the crowd, and later on that night, Nick Zinner, their guitarist, watched the Keys from beginning to end.

I saw Dan peeping out every now and then, and occasionally he would watch the crowd. I was more into his presence than anything else, that I just decided to wave to him as the crowd was focused on Karen O. Dan kindly smiled and waved back and then went backstage.

Occasionally I saw Patrick adjusting his drum behind the curtains. When the Yeah Yeah Yeahs finished, a lot of the people who were there for them moved to the stands and the Black Keys crowd snuggled up close to the stage.

They took about 45 minutes to set up and I saw Patrick and Dan about to come out. The crowd was a little quiet and I took my opportunity to yell Patrick’s name. When they ran out on stage the crowd went nuts.

Dan and Patrick arrived at around 9:10 PM. There were technical difficulties due to the two shows that they had played two days before, and Patrick didn’t have his normal drum set. Nevertheless, Dan and Patrick played their hearts out and the crowd went crazy. I looked up a couple of times and saw people watching from the pier, from the parking lot, and all around me was just full of people, swaying and loving what they heard.

Every song was just so entertaining. Right before they played “Strange Times” Dan was trying to fix his amp and Patrick kinda relaxed and played his drums softly. People started yelling “Drum solo!” and he laughed a little and tapped his cymbals and whatnot. When Dan came back, he smiled and said, “I”d like to see a drum solo, too.” The crowd went nuts and Patrick started “Strange Times” off. Fantastic. A long drum solo would’ve been awesome, too, though!

They ended their show with “I Got Mine”. As you can see on the set list (below), they would have played two more songs but Oceanside is really strict and it was a Sunday night. They finished at 9:58 and I stayed behind and saw them, hoping for a pick or Patrick’s drumsticks. Soon enough I will see every show they play in California or Nevada or nearby.

I am very fortunate to have Dan’s set list and I got to say ‘thank you’ to him after their show while they were hanging out on the stage and their roadies were putting away the last of their equipment. If you compare the handwriting in the booklet of “Attack and Release”, that is Dan’s genuine handwriting.

The technical difficulties seemed to make Dan a little agitated and embarrassed, understandably. They did follow the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and by then so many people in the crowd were drunk and just being obnoxious. So much so that two girls ran on the stage, kind of danced around Dan, and then got pulled off. There was a lot of crowd surfing and at one point one guy belly flopped into the crowd and Dan literally played a little softer, almost stopping, for a few seconds to see if he was alright.

Watching Patrick and Dan play is such an experience. They each play with so much passion and talent and I just absolutely get lost watching them on stage. The quality of their music is so distinct and their humble and genuine style is impeccable.

I love my set list!

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3 Days, 3 Festivals: The Black Keys @ Three Rivers, Roots Picnic, Independence Jam

brucini — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 03:31:46 +0000

The Black Keys have just spent 3 big days, 5-7 June 2009, performing at The Three Rivers Festival (Pittsburgh), The Roots Picnic (Philadephia) and the 94.9 FM Independence Jam (Oceanside, California).

The Black Keys haven’t done much touring this year, but they have cherry-picked significant festivals of choice in advance of recording in August. Consequently, the ‘Keys have been able to concentrate at these festivals on laying “rubber for nearly an hour with an impressive set of whiskey-soaked shit-kicker rock”, as Rolling Stone described their performance at the Roots Picnic.

Various reports mentioned some technical difficultities at each show and blown amps, so it looks like the boys really did kick out the jams. It was remarked upon that The Black Keys did drown out Kid Cudi’s performance on a nearby stage.

Interestingly, it was reported a new song was debuted in Pittsburgh. Not sure if anyone out there has a recording of it?

At The Roots Picnic my hoped for drum battle between Pat and Questlove sadly didn’t eventuate.

Below are a couple of live videos that reflect the crowd, scene and band. Pat looks like he’s not quite at his normal playing weight, and the freshly shorn Dan made a welcome return.

For other awesome black and white video of The Black Keys at the Independence Jam check out the YouTube channel of Black Keys’ fan BatCountryX who was hard at work at the gig. Previously this site has featured her Pomona live videos in this post

Three Rivers – Same Old Thing

Independence Jam – I Got Mine

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The Black Keys @ Coachella Festival 2009

brucini — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 01:47:10 +0000

One of these days I’ll go to the Coachella Festival in California, USA. Hopefully The Black Keys will be playing the year I go. They have, of course, played this year. The best I can do this year is ‘listen’ to people tweet about it via their phones on Twitter in real time.

Not a bad way to get an instant review of the show and feel some sort of vibe and observations from the fans attending. I like it because you are hearing the fans and the expressions are raw and real.

There’s also a range of Twitpics to view too: http://twitpic.com/3hr6b , http://twitpic.com/3hok9, http://twitpic.com/3hq3g

I can’t say I’d be into live tweeting a show (although if The Black Keys asked me to do so via this website’s @blackkeysfans no doubt I would!). It really must pull you away from being engaged in the show on stage and the atmosphere. Trying to analyse your present enjoyment seems contradictory in the context of watching a rock band.

Taking a photo on your camera phone and tweeting at concerts seem to be the modern equivalent of holding up your cigarette lighter during moody concert moments in past years.

There’s bound to be a range of video and other images to look at in the days ahead. For now here’s a review of the show from fans via Twitter while the band were playing at Coachella on Friday 17 April 2009.

@nobettersafe: Saw molotov and the black keys. Tried to see ting tings but the tent was overflowing. Waiting for franz ferdinand now.

@schnittlich: just caught the last song of the black keys set!!!

@beatlefan8: “I got mine. I got mine. I got mine, oh baby, I got mine.” –The Black Keys:) They make me happy:)

@jessietai: The Black Keys are the best two piece band ever (sorry white stripes). Now its about time for some conor oberst. Mmm delicious.

@princess56: The black Keys were awesome!

@unitedfront: Kicking it vip with sun, super nice paul walker, and marvin scott jarrett as black keys killllls the main stage. Ting tings here we go.

@AestheticsCrew: The Black Keys were cool… Nothing else I wanna see till Paulie boy gets on @ 10

@codymelcher: was blown away by the black keys, which means franz ferdinand

@biLLybOypoiSon: black keys are off the hook!!! waiting for franz ferdinand @ coachella…

@lightoutlet: the people at coachella are starting to annoy me, but at least the black keys are awesome

@pairaces: @coachella need to turn down the techno so we can enjoy Black Keys. Know one does techno any more! Turn it down!

@ltgoodluck: N beer garden listening to the black keys, beers seem smaller, but still $7

@jasongrimes: The Black Keys are always RAD!

@thegrandsocial: So here’s the deal, this line is angry. They’ve run out of vip bands. Everyones missed the black keys.

@The_Gildo: Some chick just pulled out her boobies next to me and o in the black keys crowd

@toosunnyouthere: Black Keys: “We could pay people to tune for us, but we’re cheap. We’re from the Midwest.”

@the_hig: http://twitpic.com/3hq3g – The black keys are there somewhereeee

@emtgreg: The Black Keys know how to rock #coachella

@ststerling: @ Coachella: the black keys are killing it right now!

@SisterSafetyPin: The Black Keys are fucking A-may-ZING!

@xxjeannexx: The black keys are tearing it up!

@SPINearth: #coachella the black keys are a gift from the music gods. That guitar is zeus’ trident. It throws lightning bolts

@emayoh: From The Hold Steady to Felix Da Housecat to The Black Keys, killin’ it at #COACHELLA

@hubbarddd: Hurts me to say the black keys were boring, now the ting tings are late.

@deciderla: Black keys are up and seem to have brought the crowd.. Auerbach’s beard isn’t disappointing either.

@jontotton: The Black Keys are totally awesome live! #Coachella

@dharma69: The BLACK KEYS are just nasty!

@rypryp: Just lovin the black keys

@SpinnerTweet: The Black Keys are from Akron, OH. Does that make them ”Akron Family”? Either way, these two are ripping it in the desert. #Coachella

@deciderla: Front row seat for the black keys. Auerbach is ripping so hard his vest might tear.

@ritzylicious: Getting my tan on with the Black Keys.

@TransitCake: Rockin to the Black Keys and sippin strawberry icee at Coachella.

@killerqueen11: The black keys are playing. Mega awesome!

@batchitcrazy: coach-stage, lounging in grass listening to the black keys/experiencing a contact high from sitting in cloud. california, california.

@LAist: The Black Keys are unleashing a powerful concoction of fuzzy blues …

@mbartko: Watchiog the Black Keys with 10,000 of my closest friends.

@lalagee: The black keys!

@angelina419: All is good. Got water, grub, and The Black Keys.

@pecom_audiofile: I’m glad I am chillin with M. Ward over the Black Keys. I want mellow before Cohen.

@djsmilesdavis: Watching the Black Keys put it down on the main stage Coachella style!!!

@csteph01: The Black Keys make me understand #coachella

@martincizmar: The Black Keys sound great… Best show of the daylight, by far. Ak… Rowdy… http://twitpic.com/3hok9

@abbylinne: The Black Keys! So rad!

@BradGroux: the Black effing Keys! http://twitpic.com/3hofq

@redletterbrad: Always known: the Black Keys are just kinda lame.

@KUCInights: watching The Black Keys. the sound now isn’t loud enough! next off to The Tings Tings

@codymelcher: is runnin ova to the black keys

@willbond007: and the black keys take the stage

@kebtron: The Black Keys. Ohio baby!

@schnittlich: black keys taking the stage…and I’m in the car sitting in traffic. oh well.

@countxero: The Black Keys are bringing a little electric blues to #coachella

@lenthegr8: Listening to The Black Keys on the main stage. Was told by friend it was the “set of the day”. #Coachella

@princess56: The Black Keys have commenced!

@sdsab: we are the black Keys. We’re from Akron Ohio.

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Dan Auerbach's Set List

brucini — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 22:55:06 +0000

I saw Dan Auerbach and the Fast 5 live on Thursday, 9 April. A fine show it was.

By chance, after the gig I was able to take this photo of Dan’s set list.

This random girl appeared when I was taking photos of the playing times on the Corner Hotel window. She showed me the list she had been given as a souvenir from the stage. We quickly stuck it on the window with the gaffer tape that had held it on the stage to take the shot.

I can’t recall the two extra songs that were played as an encore. Does anyone else? I was too busy having a good time.

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Review: Dan Auerbach @ The Corner Hotel, Melbourne, 9 April 2009

brucini — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 23:39:24 +0000

Easter is always a good time for live blues and roots music in Australia. It’s a time when the best artists arrive to play side shows around the annual Byron Bay Blues and Roots Festival. This year Dan Auerbach was in Australia to perform a string of shows including the festival supporting the release of his solo ‘Keep It Hid’ record. I saw him in Melbourne at an almost full Corner Hotel, a place where The Black Keys sold out 3 consecutive nights in 2005.

I missed seeing Hacienda’s support slot while I slurped beers in the roof top bar. The deep resonance of Tony Joe White’s voice drew me downstairs to catch the last few songs of his set and encore. I don’t know why, but I love a man who plays in a hat and sunglasses indoors.

The Corner Hotel uses a curtain in front of the stage between acts. Where The Black Keys have an introduction to the stage by an MC, Dan Auerbach and his Fast 5 (Hacienda plus Patrick Hallahan from My Morning Jacket) simply acknowledge the crowd as the curtain pulls back and launch into ‘Trouble Weighs A Ton’. As with the album, the song works as a welcoming introduction, a lilting reflective tune before the racket of the bands jamming style.

‘I Want Some More’ quickly follows ‘Trouble’ and the crowd starts hollering and lurching for more too.

I can finally see what people have been saying for weeks about Dan Auerbach and the Fast 5 live. The song’s take on a new life, the band is tight but light enough to be watching each other shine, there’s something about maracas that adds some interesting spice, and it’s not just Dan fronting up rather it’s a real band effort that drives the songs on.

Dan played 2 covers ‘Oh Carol’ by Rockin’ Horse, and ‘Inside Looking Out’ by The Animals, not to mention the recorded Wayne Carson Thompson track ‘I Want Some More’, to flesh out the set. ‘Money and Trouble’ is apparently an un-released original by Dan.

When Dan was only accompanied by his own guitar on tracks like ‘When The Night Comes’ you feel as if he is finding his true self. These simple, evocative songs gripped the audience’s attention. For me this track was the highlight of the night.

Generally, the melodic lines of the tracks really shone through live and the 60s guitar jangle accentuated a poppy feel to tracks.

Interestingly, even a weaker album track like ‘Keep It Hid’ became a highlight as the band contorted it into something much more than the sum of its parts. In this respect the double drummer attack when Patrick Hallahan left the maracas, bongos and iron bar and got behind a drum kit gave some inspiring visual and beat-heavy power to the live sound.

Believe the hype, the reviews are true to their word. Don’t go along looking for The Black Keys (there were a few TBK t-shirts in the crowd), although some songs are similar only in so far as Dan’s guitar dominates (Dan uses the same guitar throughout). If you liked the ‘Keep It Hid’ album, then you’ll love the live experience which expounds upon Dan’s vision and creates something altogether more fascinating than you expected.

Stay tuned…in coming posts for photos and video from Dan’s Corner Hotel show.

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Dan Auerbach Concert Ticket and Live Show Reviews

brucini — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 09:19:07 +0000

I must say I have been pretty jealous reading reviews about Dan Auerbach’s recent live shows. It’s not long now, however, until I get to see Dan in concert. I recently received my ticket in the mail.

I’m yet to see a poor review of the live show. If you haven’t got a ticket yet then make a move, it doesn’t look like he’ll be doing too many more shows than what are already announced.

Unanimously people have commented on:

- how at ease Dan is with his playing and other band members

- how genuinely happy he looks

- how so much more powerful and full the sound is with the live band compared to the record.

- the songs have taken on a life of their own.

Live performce at KCRW

This is awesome. Live in studio performance for Jason Bentleys’ Morning Becomes Eclectic radio show

Here’s some links to some recent live show reviews. I’ll, of course, be adding to the mix when I get to see him in April:

- Gustavus review of the First Avenue show

- Sound Citizen review of the Chicago show

- Grimy Goods review of the Bowery Ballroom show

- Broken Headphones review of the Beachland Ballroom show

Watching fans reactions pretty much real time on twitter, its clear the new songs are bringing something special for the females in the crowd. These two from one fan really caught my eye.

Enough said:

Dan Auerbach just made me a woman! diggity diggity diggity > 9:46 PM Mar 11th from TwitterBerry
OH MY GOD! If an orgasm had a musical sound= Dan Auerbach > 3 days ago from TwitPic

Dan’s reported set list:

Trouble Weighs a Ton
I Want Some More
The Prowl
When I Left the Room
My Last Mistake
Mean Monsoon
Oh Carol [Rockin’ Horse cover]
Real Desire
Street Walkin’
When the Night Comes
Whispered Words
Heartbroken, In Disrepair
Keep it Hid
Inside Looking Out [The Animals cover]
Encore: Goin’ Home

My Ticket:

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