hate to be negative but...

[mariaterra33]

I and my friends find it interesting that with the demise of Cat Power's performances is a recent barage of publicity for her new album. She was interviewed (full two page spread) in Entertainment Weekly and reviewed by Wired. Her publicist or management is apparently paddling away, trying to distract listeners from the reality that Ms. Marshall sometimes disappoints in her delivery if she shows up at all. She cancels shows too often and has been booed off the stage. I truly hope that Marshall can live up to the buzz surrounding her latest release.

[soot]

Well.. you need to look no further than people's gushing reviews of recent shows..not to mention nearly every feature/review makes mention of her hit or miss live shows..its not like anybody is trying to hide anything.
I do think her live reputation is somewhat blown out of proportion . I've seen her play 4 or 5 times and only one or two was I dissapointed. Some people have gone to one bad show or havent gone at all & have just heard second hand or read things & have formed solid opinions that she is always bad live. The one bad show in particular I saw she seemed in good spirits , she wasnt freaking out by any means. As far as cancelling shows, I know she broke her finger last year & had to cancel a few but besides that I dont recall much history of her cancelling shows... her tour dates section always seems full of shows all over the world. The new record is great and quite an accomplishment in my opinion & she is certainly deserving of praise & critical acclaim for it.

[IamDamoSuzuki!]

what correlation do reviews of her recorded output have to do with her live shows? That is poor logic.

Also she can be great live but she has some bad shows, like anyone else. Shit if people didn't show up screaming like brats for 'metal heart' and talking through the show, she might tend to feel comfortable and respond well to the audience, LIKE anyone else.

[Sally]

I just got home from my first cat power show, knitting factory 2/22/03, and I was really let down with the audience at the show. People were talking through her set and just being really rude. It seemed to have really affected Chan’s performance too. She seemed really uncomfortable and displeased with the set. It was a weird show. Chan kept stopping the songs and angrily, loudly playing the piano and then she would just go back into the song, just as beautiful and sweet as if nothing had happened.
I personally love cat power and will definitely see her again; i just hope the next time i get to see her it's with other fans and not a bunch of spoiled LA brats.

[photomojo]

i don't know why some audience members think they are the
show.
in philly we kick ass if someone is too loud.
i guarentee that we will treat cat power very good.
play nice, children.

[Zagadka]

Well, some people are asshats. Chan has been known to be sensitive to her crowd on stage, but at a performance I went to last year (or something) in Frisco, the crowd was *really* into it, and she ended up handing the crowd her guitar and chair so she could come down and play IN the crowd, which was amazing.

[Lloyd Hopkins]

My take on the dissapointing catpower shows is this. The only people who have ever come away from a cat power show disappointed are reviewers who's MO isn't to check out the show but to think up ways to make themselves seem wise or insightful by writing about the show.

I've seen Cat power just after What Would the Community think (with Guv'nor and Butterglory) after moonpix with the incredible Jim White on Drums just before (2 x london and the Matador aniversary party) and after the covers record, a total of 6 times since about 96 and every show has been completely breathtaking. Don't get me wrong, I've been completely crushed when she's been in the middle of an amazing song and changes to something else and I've come away really frustrated but every time it's been hands down the show of the year.

Part of the reason for checking out so many bands is to stumble accross someone who is going to shake you up for an hour or so, who doesn't feel like they've got to give you 6 songs off the last album, four off the one before and a selection of their old stuff (hell, at the matador aniversary show Chan did ONE song that had been on a record before).

It's uncomprimising and she risks puting off as many people from her PRODUCT as attracting them but it seems ironic to be glad that she turns traditional song structure upside down but not the show's format and to be so into the intimacy of that voice, that always seems like a one-take expression of emotional truth, but not want to see a half-show, half-rehersal collection of whatever she wants to do for the time she's there.

I know the feeling that this may be your only or last chance to hear a collection of songs and you want so badly to hear live versions of your favourite things but I think that once you get your head around the fact that the show is going to be a surprise (I've seen shows where there she completes whole songs apparently in set list order in the traditional style and sets where you get noodling, part songs and then a beautiful surprise like 'sea of love' coming out of nowhere) you can't be dissapointed and if you are I need to know who else you've seen recently that put on a better show.

[Totally]

The only negative thing I'll say about Cat Power in concert: on the Moon Pix tour in Boston, she stopped a song after a bum note and proceed to blame the soundguy, and I've since learned she pulls (or used to pull) this very insulting move with some frequency. Beyond that, she is a frighteningly present performer.

[J_fancher]

well i think this all just makes her sound all the more interesting, and people that complain all the more stupid.

i wonder if she'd be upset if people were being rude and someone just went apeschit on them, throw tables.

no just kidding i think.

um, yeah that's all.

shut up now.

hate to be negative? i think you live for it.

shut up now

[Lloyd Hopkins]

One day, I pray, something like that is going to happen. There's this guy I see in the town I live in, who talked loudly all the way through a quiet Black Heart Procession show about THREE YEARS AGO. I was homicidally boiling throughout the show and when I see him in the street or at shows, I still get a wave of complete hate.

It happens all the time and one day someone with less manners than I have is going to snap and go on a killing spree at a Rachel's show or a Cat Power show and the only defence they'll have will be 'they wouldn't stop talking'.

The judge will have been to see Low the night before (He'll be a mormon - the only way I can make the low fi post rock Judge believable ) and declare the acused not guilty because of mitigating circumstances, the precedent will be set and it'll be quiet at quiet shows forever!

[onedeadjet]

I got to see Chan at the 400 Bar supporting the Covers, I think. It set new standards of phenomenal for me. Anybody else, I might not have called it phenomenal, though. All of the things you read about were present. Blaming the sound guy, or at least repetitively asking for more monitor or something, playing three songs without stop, stopping in the middle of a song, putting guitar down sitting at piano, starting a song, yelling a the sound guy and going back to her guitar... Bright side, I got to hear 'Devil's Daughter' twice. Dark side, she didn't make it more than halfway through either time. I never once saw her eyes and when the set was done, poof she was gone.

But I tell you what. Once she actually got up on stage, the only sounds the crowd made were those of matches snapping and lighters flicking. I felt incredibly conspicuous because my bar stool squeaked a little. There was one drunk chick near the stage who whooped every fifteen minutes or so, but even that was kind of restrained.

But I'll never forget. An hour of Chan's voice and cigarettes being smoked. Phenomenal.

[J_fancher]

The judge would just have to understand. i wouldnt care though, i would just hate for the outburst to offend chan more than the other rude people did.

all these different stories about these shows.

that's why im going to follow the tour around for three or four shows if i can. I hope i get paid soon so i can buy a car and a drivers liscense. greyhound is pain.

[photomojo]

i love edie sedgwick.
she was so tragic.

[J_fancher]

me agree.

[AWOL_Paul]

I really like chan, but that is the stupidest thing I've heard all year. What should we call this new phenomenon, militant fan intervention? Aren't there better things to get emotional about?

It is better to confront such persons upfront, in civilized fashion when possible. If they are really that offensive the whole audience will be against them and they'll have no choice but to shut their mouths.

Anyway, it's supposedly all about just going to have a little fun. Tables are meant to stand upright in their stationary positions.

AWOL Paul

[J_fancher]

oh come now.

You dont think i'd really throw a table do you?

well......

you could have gotten the idea, but since you've called me the stupidist thing you ever heard of, and i dont feel like explaining things to you nor do i have the energy to be upset by such bs talk, that i will not post further on the subject.

or will i?

lighten up a little will ya? your going to have an anurism.

did i spell that right?

all about going to have a little fun?

What throwing tables is not fun?

jeez, i must be weird.

[J_fancher]

aaargh

i just read that post again.

i want to throw tables when i read it.

calm down fancher.

sacriledge i tell you.

perhaps i am taking this too seriously. i have quickly fallen madly in love with this music. it would really piss me off if some bunch of idiots made things interesting.

would i really be psycho if i threw something?

i dont think so.

so many of us have done more over much less.

are you so flatline as you sound?

aaargh, it doesnt even matter what band or performer or rainbow or frog someone is messing with.

aaaargh.

[mariaterra33]

seriously - i wasn't trying to offend anybody. i love cat power. she's one of the most talented artist out there. but i was a little frustrated when i saw those articles - my friends and i probably just had a bad cat power year in 2002... can all of you just wish us luck this year?

soot - i appreciated your response the most. very thoughtful and exactly the reassurance i was looking for.

[AWOL_Paul]

j fancher:

I didn't call you the stupidest thing ever (please re-read the qoute via the document I have included below).

No, I do not sound as flatline in person.

No, you would not sound psycho if you threw a chair.

No, I won't lighten up.

Throwing tables can be fun, when not at someone talking.

Some legal points: what I said is not bullshit.

Think it over.

Please get back to me at your earliest convenience.

Here is my business card.

Thank you,

AWOL PAUL

qoute"I really like chan, but that is the stupidest thing I've heard all year. "

(my cordialist apologies for that particular criticism)

http://www.tollesburysc.co.uk/Picture_gallery/Barge1.jpg

[J_fancher]

well i ate the card but nothing happened, i am coming after you tommorrow

some legal points:

i did not assume anything in particular when i consumed said card.

do not eat this post, it may cause gastrointestinal distree or other maladies, the glass in your teeth from the monitor notwithstanding.

no, glass in your teeth is not a threat, simply, was thinking of trying to eat the post, and what with this damn screen in the way.......


you said it's not bullshit, but you also apologized.

i dont care though, im not arguing or anything.

can i have that boat?

[AWOL_Paul]

I apologized that that might have come across as coarse and that you may have taken it too personally. So, I retract the stupidest thing all year part. My post was as equally or more so directed toward Lloyd and anyone else.

My feeling still stands regarding people talking at shows. My point is this: it is just a frigging show. Rude people suck, but we run into them every day: at movie theaters, the library, quiet restaurants, etc.

My patience is as low for them as it is the uber-fan that throws you dirty looks for clanking a beer bottle accidentally or sneezing.

I know a Cat Power show can be a religious moment.

Anyway, I'm glad you guys are not like that.

Best,
AWOL P


http://www.johnhalllumber.com/lumber4.gif

[J_fancher]

yeah, if i was at some pub seeing a shopw and someone flashed me a dirty glance for siutting my beer down, well you what i would have to do!

why, throw a table of course!!!!

heheheheh

anyways, yeah, i see what you're saying about all that.

i mean it could be a religious moment, but it's not at a friggin church for fuksake.

is that the lumber you're going to build my boat out of?

[dola]

well Sally, that kinda crap isn't regulated to the west coast Knitting Factory.

in nyc, my girlfriend and i saw her play in the fall last year and tons of people could be heard talking througout the set. i blame the knitting factory itself, for keeping the back doors that connect to the bar area open. what the fuck is that shit?

ah well.

[AWOL_Paul]

Yes, that is the lumber all right... which I'm going to use to build my own wooden dragon out of and ride to all the shows. (I only attend a couple per year, so that is good).

By the by, my name is not Sally (nor is it Paul!). I eat tables for lunch!

Here's the dildo though: when you gather 300 or more sweaty drunk people under one roof, expect the occasional noise. But not to like it!

Just expect what you're paying for: a space in a dark lit room to stand for a few hours; side by side, you're nothing special. Just so many echoes of your faint selves that cancel each other out and return to you. You're like a ghost caught in the asphalt and fog of ancient evolutionary rythm.

[J_fancher]

well notpaul, im glad to hear you're also not-sally.

because i fukking loathe sally with all of my heart and soul.

she never could eat a table.

she does think her life's fable

and she makes bad rhymes like that all day long

it pisses me off and i have to throw tables

Im going to see a solo performance on sunday, am so looking forward. Two days in chicago, the first with backing band on saturday, the 550 capacity sold out. I wonder if it'll fill for a solo on sunday? I was thinking a best bet would be to go to lawrence kansas for that show, but i have too many things to do, and the upcoming week contains ideal conditions, the only thing i wuold allow to interrupt me is the show in chicago or maybe babysitting for my sister for an evening so she doesnt lose her head.

the thing to remember about those wooden dragons is...

shit i forgot, i hope you know though, becasue i forgot and ran mine into the ground so fast it was not funny. all that time and money and i got three rides and no fire!