LOCATION: The Busted Lift, Dubuque, IA
LINEUP: Karin, Linford, Jack
REVIEW BY: various listees
I haven't seen a review of this show as of yet, so I figured I'd finally come out of lurk mode and give it my best shot. The Busted Lift is quite unlike any other place I've ever been. Long and narrow, in the basement of a nearly century old building in downtown Dubuque. This place was the most intimate setting I've seen OTR in yet. Schuba's has got nothing on the Busted Lift. My wife Carol and I had a slight bit of trouble finding the place given the poor directions from Mapquest. They made it much harder than it had to be. Dubuque is (like many other towns) comprised of a fair amount of one way streets, and Mapquest had us go in a big circle around the place. After asking a local couple for a little help, we narrowed it down and found the place, only to find a sign on the front (on Main street) directing us around to the back. Luckily I'd called earlier in the week and reserved a pair of tickets. The place was without a doubt sold out. John (the owner), after hearing our sad tale of woe about getting somewhat lost, picked up our first round, which I felt was awfully nice. He apologized, but I told him it was all Mapquest's fault, not his. The band played at the far end from where we came in, which was actually the front of the building. There was a large pool table covered with an equally large plastic tablecloth which had at least 2 dozen enclosed candles on top of it, on which we set our drinks. The band was on the other side. To say this place was intimate would be the understatement of the millenium. Along the right wall they had a shuffleboard table, which had been covered with boards on which to sit. Anyhow Karin, as always, sounded completely amazing from the very first strains of Go Down Easy. I literally get goosebumps, and often times misty-eyed during more than a few of OTR's songs. Enough of my ramblings, the setlist is as follows: Go Down Easy -I love this song All I Need -ditto Anything At All -having made the trip out from Chicago (the furthest for OTR so far), I can really relate I Radio Heaven -raw and stripped down Lil' Blue River/In the Garden -this one gets me every time Jesus In N'awlins - how can you not love the "Ain't it crazeee?" refrain, truer words have never been sung Fever (the Brenda Lee cover, at least I think she did the original. Someone correct me if I'm wrong) -like you've never heard, bluesey and sultry Lucy -this tune rocks, Karin becomes a woman possessed with the spirit at the end Holy Rain -the best version I've heard yet. I swear Jack sounded like Tom Waits at the end. Who knew he had such range? The World Can Wait -K & L only, bea-yoo-tee-ful! Hello, Ohio -Karin (solo) simply captivating Jack's Valentine -Jack got totally wacky at the end of this one Miles -I like this more each time I hear it Encore: Orphan Girl -just an all-around great song My wife was able to get the setlist off the floor up by Linford's keys. Cast Me Away appeared to have been squeezed in between I Radio and Lil' Blue (an afterthought, perhaps), but they didn't play it. Latter Days shows up after Miles, but I don't recall them playing that, either. It may have been the beer, but I don't think so. My wife didn't recall that either. Poughkeepsie was penned in after Orphan Girl, but they didn't play that either. There was an opener, but I didn't see their entire set, and never did get their names, a girl on guitar/vocals, and a guy on bass. They were ok. All in all, a great evening in a great place. I had the pleasure of meeting 2 extremely nice young ladies, Cara and Rachel, who'd never seen OTR before and were completely awestruck (although I still too am amazed), to the point where Cara was nervous about even approaching Karin for an autograph. I told her not to worry. Karin (as well as Linford and Jack), were extremely genuine, down to earth people, who just happened to be incredibly talented, gifted musicians. I got to take some photos after the show of the band/fans. It was a fantastic evening/weekend. I'm looking forward to the next Busted Lift show already. I can't wait.