Neko Case with The New Pornographers at the Garrick, June 10 2010. Mike Latschislaw photo

The New Pornographers at the Garrick Theatre, Winnipeg, June 10 2010

– review by eugene osudar/photos by Mike Latschislaw

every concert
experience
is unique.

small, medium
large venues,
holes, galleries,
warehouses,
arenas
stadiums.

last night.
Garrick Theatre.
once a Twin Cinema
house
i think it was sold out,
i’m not really sure.

650 people
if it was. it
felt full.
for The New
Pornographers,
this time
with Neko Case,
singing, playing
tambourine.

every set
is unique.
it’s a relationship,

audience and
band

people and musicians

spectators and artists.

dancers and music.

movers and beats.

instruments
songs
voices
harmonies
drums
guitars
keys
cello
sax
whistling, too

The New Pornographers
on this tour are,

AC Newman, vocals, guitars
Blaine Thurier, Fender Rhodes/sampler
Danny Bejar, vocals, guitars
John Collins, bass
Kathryn Calder, vocals, piano
Kurt Dahle, !drums!
Neko Case, vocals
Todd Fancey, guitars

(i feel like i’m missing someone!
a certain cellist
saxophonist!
who are you?)

here’s what happened,
the very
first
song,

Sing Me Spanish Techno
just happens to be one of my
fave NP’s songs

it lifts me
sends me
flying

and this is what happened,

i began The Dance
and my smile
beamed

it shone,

my energy
and joy
i never hide it
i share it

with the band
the musicians
and
the audience

and Blaine just happened
to be
just above me
and during the set

he couldn’t help but notice that this
46 year old
grey haired
fella is just
moving it

i’m dancing.
like i mostly
often do.

95 minutes.
23 songs.

spanish techno
up in the dark
myriad harbour
use it
laws have changed
crash years
jackie, dressed in cobras
adventures in solitude
all the old showstoppers
sweet talk
challengers
testament to youth in verse
moves
your hands (together)
my shepherd
the body says no
twin cinema
silver jenny dollar
mass romantic
bleeding heart show

jackie
it’s only divine right
slow descent into alcoholism

and so,
he appreciated
the movement

smiled
acknowledged
my joyous
abandon
my celebration
of music
and musicians

and the art of the pop song

more than a few times
we communicated
we shared
The Joy
The Energy
and then he went
back to
concentrating
on the music

there’s an art to dancing
in confined space.

careful
not step on that
beautiful young
woman’s toes
behind me,
careful not to bump
into her loving
young man,

if there was room!

if!

i would have been
truly flying
freeeeeeeeeeeee.

the only ifs!

so the songs
moved me
beautiful dance pop
songs
like the 60s gems
of
Phil Spector
Velvet Underground
John Cale

and voices,

AC, Neko and Kathryn.
and a band so tight
stationary and yet
fully in flight
melody
passion
playing
harmonies

and Yes,
one of the best drummers
around.

Kurt.

i’ll be honest
here, now

i preferred
my two previous
NPs Winnipeg shows

to last night’s
in terms of flow.

there was something
halting
about taking care
to include songs
highlighting
everyone
singing leads.

and yet
as i go through my notes
scribbled as they
played
their brilliant
spine chilling
soul thrilling
pop jewels,

i Loved the songs.
chosen.

on a returning thought
this is what
this review is really about,

for every person
at The Garrick
last night
there is a story
a memory
a feeling
a joy
and for every musician
too

every concert
every set
every song
every moment

and so
somewhere
near the end of their set.
i communicated
to Blaine
that i’d like the set list

to write the song titles.

i see so many sets.
675 full sets in 2009.
about 800 full sets in 2008.
i’m hoping only
500 or so in 2010.

i don’t know
95%
of the songs
i hear at shows.

and yes
he nods
signals
wait.

so after the set,
he picks up the list.
communicates
“after” the encore.

we’re roaring
we’re clapping

and after some minutes
they return
and play their last 3 songs

and then
Blaine hands
me his set list

and there it is…

all of their signatures.

Thank you
Blaine,

Thank you
New Pornographers.

for your beautiful music.

your beautiful
generous
souls.

i’m never
too proud
to write,

i’m crying.

now.
here.

i’m feeling it.

i love artists.
i love beautiful
art.
i love creation.
passionate
creation.

so, normally
i give the set list
to a youngster,
a devotee!

another music lover.

not this time.

i’m keeping that set list.
it’s a beautiful keepsake
from the heart.

The New Pornographers
Garrick Theatre
June 10.

More The New Pornographers at the Garrick Theatre Winnipeg photos:

[Show slideshow]