LOCATION: Fitzgerald's, Berwyn, IL
LINEUP: Karin, Linford, Jack
REVIEW BY: Various Listees
Well we had quite a time last night at Fitzgeralds !! I got there a little after 9 and chatted with the "listee's" & "lostee" Kevin. Sorry Jana I didn't see your "working the table"post until this morning or I would of definetly said hello.The place was comfortably packed by the time they took the stage.I was a little dissapointed that there was just Lin,Karin,and Jack with no drums or bass but seeing what Lin & Karin can do just by themselves before I was eager to hear OTR in trio form for the first time,and of course they were absolutely incredible.Opening with "Go down easy"Karin eased us into a 2 hour 17 song show that flowed beautifully.I always love the fact that OTR crowds give complete respect and attention,for the whole time.Absolute silence during the music and while Karin does her quiet in between song banter. Before playing "Jesus in New Orleans" Karin said they had gotten the green light from Backporch to record 2 more albums. The "ain't it cra--a--aa--zy" chorus part of Jesus is just so infectious and is a great hook.She the said someone had requested a song a while back so they'd play it now and went in to "The Seahorse". During "Little Blue River/ In the Garden" it was very quiet during the interlude when all of a sudden we heard the sky opening up outside and pounding the roof with golf ball sized hail prompting a reaction from the crowd as well as Karin onstage smiling.Sometimes at shows like this I like to walk around and watch and listen to songs from different perspectives and watch reactions of everyone instead of standing in one spot it makes for different memories of a 16 song show. I've gone on record saying I think it's time to put "Jack's Valentine" to rest and I know now that'll probably never happen and as Karin would say "I'm ok with that"But tonite's JV was I must say incredible!! Linford and Jack dueling licks back and forth in grand fashion.At one point of the night Karin said that Jack was house shopping in Scotland which made me wonder??? When I asked him after the show "How are you going to be in a band in Ohio when you live in Scotland he kinda of just said "we'll have to see how it works out". So I guess we will ?? Highlight of the night, Karin came out for the encore and played by herself at the piano the most beautiful heartstopping version of "Give Me Strength" followed by "Like a Radio/Ain't no sunshine".The crowd was great throughout the night and Karin & Linford proved that no matter what incarnation or lineup they ever take the stage with their songs and talent will always be loved and appreciated. John (JB) I couldn't get the setlist so this isn't exact but it's something like this: 1.) Go Down Easy 2.) Bothered 3.) Anything at all 4.) Green Clouded Swallowtail 5.) Jesus in New Orleans 6.) I Radio Heaven 7.) The Seahorse 8.) All I Need 9.) World Can Wait 10.)Little Blue River/In the Garden 11.)Curse these dreams 12.)Ohio 13.)Miles 14.) Jack's Valentine 15.)Orphan Girl 16.)Give Me Strength 17.Like A Radio/Ain't no Sunshine
So we got to Fitzgerald's way early, emphasis on way. Doors open at seven so wanted to be first in line. After several Schuba's shows where you have to get there an hour or more before the doors open to get at the head of the line we were prepared. We got there before the place was even open. As a matter of fact while we were waiting the guy who was picking up the Toilet paper for the bar arrived. I think that conveys our earliness. Oh by the way we ran into Karin and Jack outside before going in. When they finally let us in to sit down we scored a table close to the stage and sat drinking our coffee since the bar wasn't actually open for business as of yet. Not long after another couple showed up and found a seat as well. they were recent listee Amanda and fiancee Sam. After a while, they started moving out the tables and chairs in preparation for the show. Finally we were told along with Amanda and Sam that we had to give up our tables, so we quickly grabbed a couple of bar stools at a smaller bar stage left. After all the show wasn't to start for 3 more hours. Had nice chats with Amanda and Sam with an occasional visit from Linford. We watched the whole sound check (this was a huge amount of fun practically like getting another whole free show out of the deal). Kevin forgot to bring his "Lostee" nametag so he made one out of an old business card and taped it on his chest with a used piece of masking tape we found on a poster on the wall. Even Linford commented on the name tag. Are you getting the idea that we had already had a great time before the show even started? We got to assist in setting up the merch table a little since we had not much else to do. We lit candles and hauled a couple boxes and the like. The group was getting ready to head out for a bite to eat before the show so Linford asked me to watch the merch table till Jana arrived at her scheduled time so nothing would disappear while they were gone and to show Jana the ropes since we are old hands. Linford also asked us to make up a couple of signs asking for NO SMOKING near the stage. Creative juices flowing, we made up a few with input from Kevin, Amanda and Sam with little pictures of butts (yes of the gludious nature) with the circle and line through them and asking patrons to refrain from flammable behaviors near the stage. Who needs a concert to have a good time? We even saved a little 3'x3' space in between us and the stage as Kylie's space, so she was there in spirit with us. We weren't afraid of not being able to see over her even though we were sitting down ;-) The place started to pack out and we met up with Joe (listee) and his wife and John (JB) that already gave a review and Jana as well. Dawn (my wife) and Kevin had a long discussion of what Karin would probably wear. Dawn opting for a low cut look and Kevin disagreeing. We all yearned for the days of flowing skirts or dresses with combat boots. When she came on stage we were pleasantly rewarded. A really stunning dress, black lace withbead things on it that glittered, black nylons and midcalf black healed boots. Her hair back in a pony tail. Karin was absolutely stunning. We have seen them a lot and she has never looked better. Karin, if you are reading this "Dahling, you looked Mahvlous". Linford had on jeans with a cuff a red dress type shirt over a red T and a newer page boyish hairstyle that only he could get away with. Jack was in black jeans, with a green dress shirt with a floral type print on it and unbuttoned cuffs. A few highlights of the show. In random order. Jack had contacted a real estate agent in Scotland about buying a home there and to his huge dismay the agent told him he had a strong American accent. This led to several cracks by K&L that now neither the Britts nor the Americans could understand him. The played The Seahorse stating that someone had requested it a few months ago and they worked it up. As John had mentioned the Little Blue River/In the Garden was fantastic. When Karin sang the old hymn it seemed as if she was transported to the garden in the song and was walking with the Lord. It was an incredible experience and then as the hail started (we could hear through and open door just off the stage), well it really defies explanation. Linford mentioned after singing LBR that some people had mistaken the lyric "you best be saving your pennies" as you best be saving your panties (obviously a list reference of the last few days) and he enjoyed that. Said it would have been the first time he was able to fit "panties" into a song. But the real highlight for us (pretty much as always I think) is watching K&L on stage and talking to them and seeing the genuineness they have. Karin shyly smiling and thanking the crowd for the applause as if she is often truly surprised that the things they do are enjoyed by people and that they can actually make others smile and forget about the bills, mortgages, jobs, etc for just a little while. Linford always thanking people for coming and really meaning it.
As Michael said we arrived VERY early but the time just flew. Nice conversation, K&L flitting around us, Michael even got to solve the conundrum of the candles for Linford - lighting candles a couple inches deeper than the lighter. I'm figuring he's double jointed as he had no problem. Of course, when they took our tables away I quickly noted there were only 4 barstools and then counted heads - Michael, Dawn, Amanda, Sam...me. Hmmm. 5 to 4. Luckily, before I had to blow my 'normal' facade as Michael put it , and started thinking about spilling blood, they brought up another stool.;-) Sitting in on the soundcheck was a treat. It was like our own little private OtR show. Actually, having the only seats by the stage in the house, it felt like that for quite some time until I finally stood up and noticed that somewhere between last I had checked and then the house was full all the way to the back. I really enjoyed meeting the other listee's. Michael & Dawn, (thanks for the offer- was fun!) Amanda & Sam, JB (I think he may be a wild card, better watch out for him ;-), Joe and his wife - sorry lost her name, and Jana at the merch table. A couple show highlights for me was getting to finally hear Jesus in N.O. for the first time. Love it. I Radio Heaven was breathtaking. During the intense lyrical part of the tune where SWAM resides I thought I was being lifted right out of my chair Karin's voice was so powerful. Linford did some amazing ivory tinkling on Jacks Valentine. and Jack did some interesting lap work on The World Can Wait.. Also hadn't heard them perform Welch's Orphan Girl although I knew from the list they were doing it. I love that tune and they more than do it justice. Also didn't know Karin played such a mean piano. I agree with John that Give Me Strength was simply heartstopping and she did some amazing belting during the Ain't No Sunshine finale of Like a Radio. She shared a bit about growing up in Ohio before the tune and that made hearing the tune afterwards all the more special. The only thing I can think of they said that hasn't already been mentioned was that they had rented and watched Mystery Train again the night before.