Post by kgp on May 12, 2005 12:29:41 GMT -5
Paul Westerberg & His Only Friends
New Daisy Theatre
Memphis, TN
March 11, 2005
With Tommy Stinson shackled to Axl Rose and Chris Mars painting professionally, Paul Westerberg had no other choice but to replace the Replacements on his first tour with a full band in nine years. Paul Westerberg & His Only Friends was the name gracing the marquee of the New Daisy Theatre on Beale Street in Memphis, Tenn., on Mar. 11, 2005. Playing in the Delta's cradle, Westerberg dug hard into the blues, delivering raucous, rocking versions from his back catalog that at times weren't just reverential to his past, they more than often took you there.
The Friends were just that: a trio of Minneapolis stalwarts (Prince drummer Michael Bland, ex-Son Volt bassist Jim Boquist and guitarist Kevin Bowe) that followed Westerberg's every inclination to go left when he looked right. He was especially unhinged, taking the kinds of lenghty breakout guitar leads that once inspired him to go flat on his back. His late-career predilection for muddied slop blues was preeminent, but there were times--"I Will Dare" and "Knockin' On Mine" were driven at death metal speed--when he threw fans for a loop. After years as a one-man band, Westerberg looked rejuvenated once again by a torrent of sound. He ended the night by crawling to the stage wings.
Fans who knew better were rewarded when the band wandered back long after the house lights drove out most of the crowd. Only 20 or so stragglers witnessed a smackdown encore of "alex Chilton" and "Left of the Dial"--glorious punk that still sounded in its prime.
Mark Guarino.
New Daisy Theatre
Memphis, TN
March 11, 2005
With Tommy Stinson shackled to Axl Rose and Chris Mars painting professionally, Paul Westerberg had no other choice but to replace the Replacements on his first tour with a full band in nine years. Paul Westerberg & His Only Friends was the name gracing the marquee of the New Daisy Theatre on Beale Street in Memphis, Tenn., on Mar. 11, 2005. Playing in the Delta's cradle, Westerberg dug hard into the blues, delivering raucous, rocking versions from his back catalog that at times weren't just reverential to his past, they more than often took you there.
The Friends were just that: a trio of Minneapolis stalwarts (Prince drummer Michael Bland, ex-Son Volt bassist Jim Boquist and guitarist Kevin Bowe) that followed Westerberg's every inclination to go left when he looked right. He was especially unhinged, taking the kinds of lenghty breakout guitar leads that once inspired him to go flat on his back. His late-career predilection for muddied slop blues was preeminent, but there were times--"I Will Dare" and "Knockin' On Mine" were driven at death metal speed--when he threw fans for a loop. After years as a one-man band, Westerberg looked rejuvenated once again by a torrent of sound. He ended the night by crawling to the stage wings.
Fans who knew better were rewarded when the band wandered back long after the house lights drove out most of the crowd. Only 20 or so stragglers witnessed a smackdown encore of "alex Chilton" and "Left of the Dial"--glorious punk that still sounded in its prime.
Mark Guarino.
and Springsteen 
.
