Gig Reviews - April 5, 2002 St. Ann's Warehouse - Brooklyn, NY

Friday Night in Brooklyn

posted to Strummer News Message Board Eleanor

Hi Folks!

Hello! Just having my first few sips of coffee here! Check BTT's post for the complete setlist

Well, Strummer and the Mescalero's put on an amazing show last night- quite possibly the best performance from them I've seen to date. They were much looser than on monday night's show (no surprise) and I don't think the band can play any tighter than they are already in regards to technique,timing...nuances..just total perfection.

Because I didn't take notes, it's difficult for me to say stuff like "Simon's bass solo in this song", or "Martin's horn playing on such and such a song..." or when Scott was on bass here" because with them its such a kaleidescope of music... swirling.. One day someone is using a particular instrument for a certain song, and the next day he's traded places with the other guy and brings out something else--and he's doing something different on it..and its just magnificent..flowing....magical.

"Get Down Moses" wasn't on the setlist, but a few people were screaming for it. Before playing it, Joe pointed towards Chris (our loudest yeller) and said said something to the effect of "you can thank him for this one. Drinks are on him tonight!!" It was the first song the band did for their encore. Wonderful funky, jazzy, reggae fused piece with lyrics that sounded even more developed than on monday.

Last night was (besides Joe of course) Martin Slattery's night! Boy, did he shine.. whether it was coming in with the jazzy horns on Police and Thieves, or his guitar playing on I fought the law, and a thousand other things he did, or the keyboards. He is a big part of the foundation that keeps this band on the level it is.

Introducing Mega Bottle Ride, Joe first said that someone who works with the group recently contacted Dr. Banchoff Klein, residing in Germany, and told him "that a reference to his Banchoff mathematical formula appears in a rock and roll song by Joe Strummer" (Joe): "Well, Dr Klein wrote back: 'I am pleased to hear that there is a reference to my mathematical formula in a rock and roll song."

Joe: "Then he insulted me in his letter with this: 'My formula must have been noticed by the writer of this song in a film."

Joe: "Then I wrote back to him: I do read books you know, YOU CUNT!!!" (band breaks into mega bottle ride)

The most beautiful part of the night was when Joe entered into a trancelike state to sing (without guitar) on Walk On The Wild Side. He came right up to the edge of the stage. His eyes were half closed feeling the quiet intensity of the song. He was somewhere deep within inside his heart and mind, overcome with the quiet intensity of the song. It was almost spiritual in a sense. The band was perfectly restrained...allowing the music to emerge in its own pace..and then Martin springing out with a beautiful sax lead at the end.

Bhindi Bhajie rocked everyone's socks off tonight. It has to be the loudest, most smoking version of this song to date. The next step for the boys will be a heavy metal version for this one! ;)

Johnny Appleseed was sublime, with that every interesting extended intro again.

Bummed Out City was introduced with an explanation from Joe of (paraphrasing) "a song about one of the most frequent things couples fight about, which direction to go, which turn to make, getting lost in the car" Wonderful fiddle solo by Tymon.

I'll add more things tomorrow, as time is pressing now, but I want to thank the Mescaleros for this wonderful stand in NY.. And give a shout out to Beat, Tami, BTT, Chris, SonnyBurnit, Rob and the British contingent, and others for making the pre show and after show get togethers such a wonderful time for me. It was great seeing you all!

Under the Brooklyn Bridge II

posted to Strummer News Message Board by BTT

St.Ann's Warehouse 4\5\2002:

London's Burning

Yalla Yalla

Bindhi Baghee

Tony Adams

Rudi Can't Fail

Cool'n'Out

Shaktar Donesk

Police & Thieves

Armaggedeon Time

White Man In Hammersmith Palais

Bummed Out City

The Harder They Come

Mega Bottle Ride

Johnny Appleseed

Pressure Drop

Police On My Back

I Fought the Law

ENCORE

Get Down Moses

Take a Walk On the Wild Side

Blitzrieg Bop

Bankrobber (again spanish flavour)

Top gig by all standard. The best they pulled in the stint so far, according to fans who attended the previous ones, and certainly from my opinion as well. The audience responded accordingly too. Much more energy than what I've witnessed the night before, which makes me reassess my first impression on the NYC fans.

A quick word about Get Down Moses : THE TUNE ROCKS!!!! Led Zeppelinish intro and then WAM ! they go straight into heavy dub reggae. Superb lyrics. If anybody wants to know what the Mescaleros are all about, this is the song! A definite trade mark. An instant classic !

Steam hot after-gig party where fans from both sides of the Atlantic pond mingled in a friendly atmosphere. This afternoon get-together should be another memorable event.

I was pleased to see Tami and the BF having a long chat with Joe about the site, the band, etc. We had a chat with Tymon about spicing up the set with some Earthquake Weather numbers as well and he seemed very open to the idea. I'm under the impression he wasn't familiar with the material, yet he seemed interested to check it out, so things can only get better

Can't wait for tonight's gig!