Ireland loves the Counting Crows. We have for years. And I'm one of those people who loves them, even still, even after last year's disappointing record. However, their live show is never disappointing, and last Friday at the O2 in Dublin was no different.
The band had played The Point before, as well as numerous other Irish venues, I remember them a few years back at Slane and at the Olympia. Great shows. Like this one. They've been here many many times, and this is even reflected in their tune 'Washington Square' which was the first song after the encore. It's one of the better tunes from the album, and I had a feeling beforehand that they'd play it.
They opened the show itself with a fan request of 'Sullivan Street', the first time Adam says he ever took a fan request. And I must thank that fan, because it was an excellent start. They then went on to play 'Cowboys', a new song that sounds a bit Recovering the Satellitesy, which is a good thing.
This led perfectly into a run of RTS songs: 'Ghost Train, 'Have You Seen Me Lately?' and sing along classic 'Another Horsedreamer's Blues'. 'HYSML?' is my favourite Counting Crows song, and I definitely wasn't disappointed with this version.
Hard Candy cuts 'Miami', 'Black and Blue', and 'High Life' all sounded decent, especially 'Miami' where Adam introduced it was a nice little story about seeing his lover leave at the airport. Adam was wired throughout and we all thought that he'd end up falling after bumping into the mic stand a few times. He did actually slip on a guitar cable and although it was painful to watch, he got up unharmed.
As I said, this was the first night he ever took a request, but unfortunately he didn't hear my request not to play 'Le Ballet d'Or', a horrendous song from Saturday Nights and Sunday Mornings and the worst track they've ever recorded. This was the only low point of the night. It'd be wrong to complain about no 'Mr Jones', because we were given so much else including a nice treat to the Fairport Convention's 'Meet on the Ledge'.
'A Long December' was another highlight, and strangely 'Holiday in Spain' closed the show. This worked better than expected, and is a great tune live. Much better than on the album.
All in all, a wonderful return to Dublin from a band who promised they'll be back soon. I can't wait for the next time...
'Have You Seen Me Lately?' recorded at the O2 by Valerie.
Monday, May 11, 2009
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6 comments:
Hey was there too but just to point out I don't actually think he took a fan request..he was slagging the guy who shouted Sullivan street even tho they had already played it!
Also le ballet d'or not the worst..dat wud be insignificant!:)
Great gig!!
I have to say i was so excited to be going to see Counting Crows, i felt like i was in 1997 again. The first time i seen them, i had snuck out to see there gig in Dublin castle. My mother thought i was going to see King Lear as it was 3 weeks before my leaving cert and the last place she would have let me go was to see Counting Crows. Roll on 12 years and although i have seen them alot of other times since i still felt so excited. I ditched the Hubby and brought my friend Fiona who loves them just as much. We both said the same thing after the gig...What a show, what a singer, crowd was up for it even thought it wasnt packed. They played a good mix of old and new and even though there were no Mrs Jones Big Yellow taxi etc...I wasnt complaining,they certainly ticked all of my boxes. I did hear a few complaints and can understand that alot of people there wouldn't know there "less famous songs" and were disappointed, i heard one guy say "they didnt play the one from shrek" and i had to laugh. The only one thing i'll say is why did they have to play some cover of a song i've never heard (Meet on the Ledge by Fairport Convention) When they could have played another one of there own, but i guess thats there prerogative!!! I hope there next outing in Dublin is in a more intimate venue like the Olympia, where i got to meet him in Dec 1997...But thats another story!!!
Thanks for that review. Glad you enjoyed the gig. I did too. My good lady didn't know any of the tunes either, so she didn't enjoy it as much. But you'll always have those types of fans at every gig.
What? Were you all at the same gig as me? Ill open by saying Im a huge fan..love all their stuff..but I thought the gig was terrible! Adam was the only one with a bit of energy - the rest of the band going through the motions like it was just another day at the office. And the crowd weren't that really "up for it" unless you were in that group of 50 in front of the stage.
I was so excited beforehand..got rightup at the front barrier - never thought Id get there in the O2..but what followed was just a lethargic disappointing "performance" from a band who normally put so much into their gigs.
And no..the O2 wasnt full - and I think in fairness not everybody would have been a true fan - so in that case these people deserved some of the CCrows better known songs/ hits dont you think...
Am glad you all enjoyed..just was not the same experience for me..
i agree. very disappointing, no mr jones, no hangin around, no rain king, no colourblind, no big yellow taxi, no omaha, no mrs potters lullaby! FARCE OF A GIG!
Am amazed to read so many positive reviews of the gig. I thought it was a lazy, lethargic performance. Given they had to push back the gig from January to May (and even then there were hundreds of empty seats) due to poor ticket sales I was expecting a lot more. Suffice to say they'll be back to smaller venues from here on. I knew many people at the gig and they were all of a similar mind....
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