My second helping of Scandinavian crooners came on Sunday night when I saw Sondre Lerche perform a solo show at the Swedish American Music Hall. As expected, the Norwegian Lerche asked several questions about playing in a Swedish music hall. "Are there any Norwegian music halls in San Francisco?" asked Lerche. "That's okay, we're using Swedish electricity!" And the list goes on and on. Apparently, there is this competitive spirit among the Swedes and the Nordes, but that's beyond me.
Sondre didn't play everything acoustically. He used, on occassion, his electric guitar. He played a lot of newish songs, even some from the Duper Sessions and songs that he wrote for the move Dan in Real Life. But his biggest applause came when he played songs from Faces Down or Two Way Monologue. In fact, Sondre received not one, but two standing ovations during his nearly 90 minute set. He even mingled with the crowd in the lobby after the show.
I never saw Sondre before, and I wish I did see him with a full band rather than him alone. But he was still very good. His voice was top notch during the whole event, and he talked a lot. Telling stories and just smart comments. Acknowledging some of the crowd requests as well, even some of the hecklers (who heckled with good intentions).
He ended his set with "Sleep on Needles," but I wish he played more. The crowd made many requests, but some of them he doesn't remember. I wished he played "Single Hand Affairs," but oh well.
02 December 2007
Jens Lekman (Bimbo's, 9 November 2007)
Nearly a month after I saw this show, I still can't believe how great Jens Lekman was live. He was fantastic from start to finish, crooning his way to the hearts of every person in attendance at Bimbo's that evening. He sang everything that I wanted to hear, and sang new songs that I haven't heard before. He hasn't been to S.F. in a while, and this was my first time seeing him. With all those factors in mind, I was very excited to see him.
Jens' new album is definitely in my top 5 releases for 2007. So, seeing those songs performed live will trigger an additional sense when I hear that album play through my headphones.
My friends and I stood in the back at first, but found a prime table in the back. Near the bar, away from the hustle and bustle, but still good enough to see Jens and his band that consisted of really cute Swedish women (so I think they are Swedish). Think Robert Palmer's video "Simply Irreststable" to get a minds eye view of what I'm talking about.
Jens was talkative and quirky throughout the show, even throwing in there a story about him rollerblading in the North Bay. I don't know if that story is mere fiction, but picturing Jens Lekman rollerblading just doesn't make sense to me.
One of the stories he told was about his hairdresser in Sweden. It was an amusing story that nicely transitioned into him playing "Shirin." The highlight for me was "Your Arms Around Me," which sounded so fantastic. Jens and his band even did a little interpretive dance, with the whole band pretending to be airplanes. Jens' voice was so good during this song, and his band captured that very Smiths like quality to the song -- a portion of which sounds like "The Boy With the Thorn in His Side."
Oh, and of course, "Black Cab." It was surreal.
He played two encores. One song he played was "Tram #7 to Heaven," which he played by himself, acoustically. "Friday Night at the Drive-In Bingo" was a bit of a disappointment because of the rather weak horns that accompanied it. But, "A Sweet Summer's Night on Hammer Hill" was a lot of fun with all that "bomp" noises they made.
I think this could be one of the top 5 shows of the year. He'll return, I hope, but he'll be playing the Fillmore by then. Regardless, I'll be one of the first persons to buy a ticket.
Jens' new album is definitely in my top 5 releases for 2007. So, seeing those songs performed live will trigger an additional sense when I hear that album play through my headphones.
My friends and I stood in the back at first, but found a prime table in the back. Near the bar, away from the hustle and bustle, but still good enough to see Jens and his band that consisted of really cute Swedish women (so I think they are Swedish). Think Robert Palmer's video "Simply Irreststable" to get a minds eye view of what I'm talking about.
Jens was talkative and quirky throughout the show, even throwing in there a story about him rollerblading in the North Bay. I don't know if that story is mere fiction, but picturing Jens Lekman rollerblading just doesn't make sense to me.
One of the stories he told was about his hairdresser in Sweden. It was an amusing story that nicely transitioned into him playing "Shirin." The highlight for me was "Your Arms Around Me," which sounded so fantastic. Jens and his band even did a little interpretive dance, with the whole band pretending to be airplanes. Jens' voice was so good during this song, and his band captured that very Smiths like quality to the song -- a portion of which sounds like "The Boy With the Thorn in His Side."
Oh, and of course, "Black Cab." It was surreal.
He played two encores. One song he played was "Tram #7 to Heaven," which he played by himself, acoustically. "Friday Night at the Drive-In Bingo" was a bit of a disappointment because of the rather weak horns that accompanied it. But, "A Sweet Summer's Night on Hammer Hill" was a lot of fun with all that "bomp" noises they made.
I think this could be one of the top 5 shows of the year. He'll return, I hope, but he'll be playing the Fillmore by then. Regardless, I'll be one of the first persons to buy a ticket.
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