Post by cellarfullofnoise on Apr 26, 2005 23:19:54 GMT -5
For Westerberg, there's no replacement
By Adam Gold
Boston Herald
theedge.bostonherald.com/musicNews/view.bg?articleid=80361
Wednesday, April 27, 2005
Any aging rocker can forget the lyrics to his own compositions, particularly when they span three whirlwind decades and countless recording sessions. But few, if any, can do it with the charm and poise of Paul Westerberg, who played Avalon on Monday night.
Sporting a black-and-white-striped blazer, white pants and a tie, the former Replacements frontman forged ahead despite falling microphone stands and faulty monitors to win over the 30-something crowd with his poetic lyricism and endearingly gritty voice. Equally on point were the members of His Only Friends Band, who managed to conjure the spirit of the 'Mats with their incessant energy, clumsy backup vocals and overall onstage presence.
Throughout the 30-odd songs, the band drew heavily on material from the 'Mats' ``Tim'' (1985) and ``Pleased to Meet Me'' (1987), stopping along the way to visit songs from Westerberg's more recent solo albums. It also dug up a handful of covers, including an anthemic rendition of ``If I Had a Hammer'' and a breakneck version of early Brit-punk band Sham 69's ``Borstal Breakout.''
Two-thirds of the way through the set, Westerberg switched to acoustic to attempt ``Crackle and Drag,'' but despite his valiant efforts - which included bringing a fan onstage for prompting - he couldn't get beyond the first verse. Looking sheepishly at the audience as the song fizzled out, he muttered, ``My momma used to tell me, `Pauly, if you can't remember the lyrics, they ain't worth rememberin'.' ''
Hoarse from shouting above his cranked Marshall stack, an exhausted Westerberg gazed out at his adoring fans, thanked them for decades of mayhem and fun, and encored with crowd favorites ``Alex Chilton'' and ``Left of the Dial.'' The show, at least, was unforgettable.
Paul Westerberg and His Only Friends Band, at Avalon, Boston, Monday night.
By Adam Gold
Boston Herald
theedge.bostonherald.com/musicNews/view.bg?articleid=80361
Wednesday, April 27, 2005
Any aging rocker can forget the lyrics to his own compositions, particularly when they span three whirlwind decades and countless recording sessions. But few, if any, can do it with the charm and poise of Paul Westerberg, who played Avalon on Monday night.
Sporting a black-and-white-striped blazer, white pants and a tie, the former Replacements frontman forged ahead despite falling microphone stands and faulty monitors to win over the 30-something crowd with his poetic lyricism and endearingly gritty voice. Equally on point were the members of His Only Friends Band, who managed to conjure the spirit of the 'Mats with their incessant energy, clumsy backup vocals and overall onstage presence.
Throughout the 30-odd songs, the band drew heavily on material from the 'Mats' ``Tim'' (1985) and ``Pleased to Meet Me'' (1987), stopping along the way to visit songs from Westerberg's more recent solo albums. It also dug up a handful of covers, including an anthemic rendition of ``If I Had a Hammer'' and a breakneck version of early Brit-punk band Sham 69's ``Borstal Breakout.''
Two-thirds of the way through the set, Westerberg switched to acoustic to attempt ``Crackle and Drag,'' but despite his valiant efforts - which included bringing a fan onstage for prompting - he couldn't get beyond the first verse. Looking sheepishly at the audience as the song fizzled out, he muttered, ``My momma used to tell me, `Pauly, if you can't remember the lyrics, they ain't worth rememberin'.' ''
Hoarse from shouting above his cranked Marshall stack, an exhausted Westerberg gazed out at his adoring fans, thanked them for decades of mayhem and fun, and encored with crowd favorites ``Alex Chilton'' and ``Left of the Dial.'' The show, at least, was unforgettable.
Paul Westerberg and His Only Friends Band, at Avalon, Boston, Monday night.