I’ve been sitting on this one because I keep trying to review it and no matter how I slice it, no matter how long I sit here typing and retyping, I have to admit defeat. Pencil down. I’ve been officially and completely swept off my feet and given a 1-2 punch right to the gut by The Felice Brothers and words simply fall short. You just have to be there and see them live. And dance your ass off. And then you’ll want more after it’s all over. They are so completely addicting it’s ridiculous. I think I even might secretly want to BE a Felice Brother. And I’m a girl for cryin’ out loud.
How’s that for a review?
Moving on ever so slightly, I’m now here simply to make good on a promise to share the heap of photos Ady and I took under the guise of Two Sisters and A Show, so over you go to Flickr to over 200 photos, and a video (one that’s not found on youtube) right….here—> The Felice Brothers at Mauch Chunk Opera House 2011.
As always, feel free to share the images amongst your loved ones, but please give credit to Two Sisters.
“Greatest Show on Earth” video footage by Ady:
Speaking of, Two Sisters is starting to morph into an entity of it’s own, we’ve begun tweeting our chronic travels to see live music via a new joint account very recently, if you wish to follow us we can be found at Two Sisters and A Show via Twitter
That is all.
(The video above was shot by another audience member from the opposite side of the stage from where we were…spot the Two Sistas?)
Last time I posted about The Felice Brothers it was to express disappointment I wouldn’t be able to see them again anytime soon. However, things change and last week we made it to the show at the Mauch Chunk Opera House. I have to give thanks to a great friend (erm, you know who you are, Renee) who had been to Jim Thorpe a few times and encouraged me to make the trek there. In the end Ady and I found our way there for another Sisters Dissonance 24 hour trip/town exploration/manic dancing good time last Friday. Consensus all the way around was this was an extraordinary night and I’m so glad we didn’t miss it. Here’s a photo essay thanks to Ady’s new camera.
Christmas / The Felice Brothers live at Mauch Chunk Opera House
Shall I mention the little side adventure that found me back in Jim Thorpe two days later after a tire blew out on the highway on the way back home from Philadelphia to Cleveland? . . . needless to say, I’m home and still reveling in the good times, and in the end the tire debacle will become just a footnote.
Much love to everyone we met in Jim Thorpe, if you’re reading this thanks for making a great trip even greater. I don’t think we’ve ever visited a town where we’ve made so many friends in such a short amount of time.
As for The Felice Brothers live, you’ll read about them all over the place in days to come, I still maintain you have to see them for yourself, words and photos capture but a fraction of their contagious energy.
The saga of the two sisters continues. Last night as a birthday present from Adrienne to me, we hopped a train and attended an intimate and close-quartered musical bash courtesy of The Felice Brothers in the heart of Philadelphia, PA.
Before Adrienne told me of her surprise plans for us to celebrate, we’d each independently knew of the band (both of us had heard only good things) but not much else, so when I found out this was my gift, I poked around to listen to them before setting off on our next adventure into music land. Usually when we are on our journeys together it is to see a band in our collective list of very favorite and familiar bands. This time was a little different.
What neither of us anticipated as we headed out the door was just how completely blown away we’d be. The moment The Felice Brothers walked on stage, opening with “Fire at the Pageant,” they had my full and undivided attention. As cliché as it may sound, the stage came alive with intense, menacing, fabulous energy. Here we were in the sparse, crudely lit basement of a church, elbow to elbow with about 200 (?) fortunate others witnessing (no pun intended) the explosive energy spewing forth.
Most-of-the-time lead singer/guitarist Ian Felice’s voice is a vague cocktail of two parts Bob Dylan (running the risk of sounding like everyone else’s observation there), one part Paul Westerberg, and one dash of Kid Rock and even a sprinkle of Eazy E (the last two as noted by Adrienne), all shaken on the rocks of his own truly distinctive and amazing voice. Brother James Felice’s voice, his, booming, powerful and melodic and bassist Christmas each contribute perfect contrast and timbre giving the band a rich vocal sound.
By the time they rolled out “Ponzi,” another track from their forthcoming album Celebration, Florida (which will be released on May 10) Adrienne and I turned looked at each other for that “Holy shit” moment. We both knew that we’d be seeing them live again soon.
Musically The Felice Brothers are all over the map, which I loved. Within their repertoire one could picture being in an 1890’s saloon, down on a bayou in the dark, at a rave, and a second later on a peeling, sunlit porch with a pint of cider. Wafts of Beastie Boys-esque attitude, tints of very early Replacements, dashes of Pink Floyd, Old Crow Medicine Show and Bob Dylan drifted in at times but ultimately I’m most fond of the way they reminded me of a real life version of The Riverbottom Nightmare Band from Emmett Otter’s Jugband Christmas, and that, in my opinion is just freaking spectacular.
But these are just words and observations and nothing will explain away the mood, excitement and energy of their live show, as with most things nothing will adequately do except you getting out there and seeing them live yourself and there’s plenty opportunity here in the USA, Canada and a few dates in Australia over the next few months.
With that I’ll leave you with a bit from their website, along with some of the videos taken by our trusty blog photographer/videographer, Adrienne.
“Here’s what might come as a surprise about The Felice Brothers: their new and fourth LP Celebration, Florida is an exhilarating amalgamation of frightening horn sections, unexpected 808s, ambient synth lines, schoolyard taunts, booming, primitive drum beats, heavy bass lines, piano, violin, accordion, ringing guitars, rave beats, and sinister acid jazz that captivates and mystifies. Recorded in the gymnasium and theater of Beacon, NY’s old high school, the band explores a multitude of sounds and instrumentation throughout the expansive album. It’s inspired, imaginative, heady, menacing, passionate, and rollicking. Most importantly, it’s as steadfastly authentic as ever, expanding upon the dark, woozy undercurrent of ramshackle barroom blues, vaudevillian atmospherics, and surreal storytelling of their previous albums. Under The Radar wrote in a review of Yonder Is The Clock that The Felice Brothers find “inspiration and freedom rather than constraints in the traditions of folk music.” Celebration, Florida revels in this inventive, outlaw spirit; it’s the sound of a band that knows its roots and knows where it’s growing. It’s a group who just might expand the definition of Americana music along the way.”
Bright Eyes, Radio City Music Hall (Wednesday, March 9, 2011)
~ Ady, Philadelphia, PA
Conor Oberst said once “Victory is sweet even deep in the cheap seats.” This I believe is true—but even sweeter in the front row, two nights in a row.
March 9, 2011 at Radio City Music Hall: we were slated to see the second of the two in a row for Bright Eyes. We were fortunate enough to snag a set of third row pit seats for this event! How lucky is that!
I hear that there was a few people in the pit with us… first I believe (not confirmed) but perhaps Mike Mogis’ parents were in front of us. And I also hear that there was the guitarist of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs in the center (again not confirmed), as well as two Felice Brothers . . . Pretty great show for them to catch, if you ask me.
Wild Flag opened, followed by Superchunk. Both put on a fantastic show and got everyone ready for the following 2-hour emotional, rockin’, and memorable event that Bright Eyes rolled out for everyone. Really, the energy started as soon as the lights went down. Everyone out of their seats- Now that’s what I like to see. I hate a seated concert just as much as I hate the dentist.
At about the third song or so, I wiggled myself into an empty seat in the front left row. I watched this wonderful seat stand empty for about 15-20 minutes and couldn’t take it anymore. I asked the usher if I could have it. She was kind enough to allow me. Great! Now I was settled. I did leave my sister behind until encore, but I did what I had to do, and I’m almost certain she understood [ed: of course she did!]. Never before (until March 8) had I seen a Bright Eyes show.
Normally at shows I take loads of video and photos. I was only able to capture some shots with my iphone and a few quick snips of video. I was much more into taking in the music, the whole experience without a lens in front of my face, not my usual concert experience, but it just felt different. I left Shannon with the task this time. She did a fantastic job! I’m not sure if a camera can capture emotion or energy fully. But, it’s evident that this isn’t a rote stage act with no personality. I hope you enjoy looking at all the shots we took.
So much can happen in two hours. There were broken amps, broken guitars, classic comments from Oberst like “I don’t know who made this setlist, it’s gross.” (which I’m still quoting because I think it’s so funny) after he commented on the sexually explicit lyrics in “Take It Easy” that was followed by “Hot Knives,” and a very wild and crazy Conor in the second row center screaming “I’m WIDE AWAKE IT’S MORNING” at a bunch of enamored fans as the lights flashed and music played (you all know what he says guys prior to screaming this!) I was lucky enough to catch a few seconds of this with my iphone, knowing I couldn’t get over there fast enough to join the madness (without risk of losing my first row spot I had so luckily secured) and it was awesome to actually get to see that live for the first time. But man was I wowed at the lung capacity. It must have taken years to be able to do that! Impressed.
We were lucky enough to get a complete “Ladder Song.” It was great, and I’m so lucky I got to hear it. I have read reviews of other shows and it hadn’t shown up much on set lists. Totally a bonus for us. Okay, so back to where I was…
When I first heard “The People’s Key” it wasn’t a stand out song for me. I liked it, but it wasn’t my favorite. But sang and played with emotion live, I finally got it and I loved it! After “Road to Joy” ended they closed with “One for me, One for you…” where Conor gets personal with those in the front row, and it’s the highlight. I’ve read a few reviews that say “lots of people won’t be washing their hands tonight” – I wonder how true this is.
Oh, and did I mention that that very night additional shows were announced? I mean, what are the chances that what I thought was the night of my LAST Bright Eyes show of the tour I would find out that they are coming to MY town, and one close enough to my sister that we can go and a friend of ours can meet us there! Two more shows in June now? I can’t believe I get to start my count down over. And never forget the edgy feeling at the 10am presale! It’s a Bright Eyes kinda spring! I hope you are all enjoying the shows that are making their way to you, and we’d love to hear about them. Bright Eyes March 9 at Radio City Music Hall, definitely in my top 2 shows of all time. Can I say I LOVE NY without risk of sounding cliché? Oops, o’well, I just did!
Into the pit
While Adrienne was holding down the fort at her seat, I was able to snap a few photos of Conor Oberst heading into the center pit, just to the right . . .
. . . while Ady captured a few seconds of this on video
On Tuesday, March 8 and Wednesday, March 9, Ady and I attended the two back to back Bright Eyes performances at Radio City Music Hall—two fantastic shows, with the second being the strongest of the two…utterly amazing.
Images from the March 9th performance can be found on this post, Bright Eyes at RCMH March 9, along with a review, which will then be followed by the complete set (which is rather large), and will be posted on flickr. Check back over the next few days for the link to those, as well as a run down of our adventures in New York City, Radio City Music Hall and the performances.
I’ve been sitting on this one because I keep trying to review it and no matter how I slice it, no matter how long I sit here typing and retyping, I have to admit defeat. Pencil down. I’ve been officially and completely swept off my feet and given a 1-2 punch right to the gut by The Felice Brothers and words simply fall short. You just have to be there and see them live. And dance your ass off. And then you’ll want more after it’s all over. They are so completely addicting it’s ridiculous. I think I even might secretly want to BE a Felice Brother. And I’m a girl for cryin’ out loud.
Sisters Dissonance 