LOCATION: Schuba's, Chicago, IL
LINEUP: Karin, Linford, Jack, Wade, Dale
REVIEW BY: Micheal Cade, JB
Micheal Cade:
here is the two for one Schuba's show review. If this end up sounding disjointed or rambling, along with the fact that it probably is just ramblings, I will be writing it over the course of several hours while working as well. End of disclaimer First every OTR show we attend is different and special in certain ways to us. It may often involve the things that we are experiencing or going through in our lives, on stage slip ups that bring back the knowledge that however talented these people are, they are just like us, certain song rotations, times when they just let their personalities out in the open on stage, etc. But Saturday night at Schuba's was probably the show that will stand out as the most memorable to us of all the shows we have ever attended. For some of you that attended, Hi Jana, it was nice to meet you thanks for stopping by for a visit, it may not have seemed like that at all. But it became up close and personal for us. We were fortunate enough to be selected to work the merchandise table that night for both shows. It was such a powerful enjoyment factor being able to give back to the band that has meant so much to us for over a decade even in this small way. I mean really what else can we do for the band? We have all the music, often give music as gifts to friends, drag friends along to get new "converts", have most of the shirts, etc etc. So to be able to give back was a real blessing in that way plus we got up close and personal with Karin and Linford. We have talked to them in the past at shows or a C-stone but it was on a totally different plane that night. It was great to see the human side of them. Linford kept asking if he could do anything for us, if we needed anything from the bar, etc etc. I quipped as he was walking away that all I really needed was for them to play "If I'm drowning" tonight, but either he didn't hear or didn't reply. Linford kept thanking us for the hard work and for sticking it out for two show. I kept saying "No, thank you". It also saved us going back outside and getting in line for the second show like we usually have to do. If any one is familiar with Schuba's, it gets pretty cramped, warm and smoky, so it was nice to be behind the merch table with lots of room and a place to sit now and then (not during the show of course). The band's van broke down on the way to Chicago, about 25 miles out. They had to find a place to rent a truck to get the equipment to the show and then unload and reload and then unload again at Schubas. In addition, there wasn't enough seating in the truck so Wade and Dale had to ride the 25 miles in the back of the van with the equipment. Karin said they pounded Morse code on the wall in between the cab and the back of the truck to be sure the guys were OK. Linford waited with the van and then took a cab to the show. He talked about his long cab ride through the city with black female cabbie who had some really loud music on. When he mentioned to her that he played a Hammond organ she said "Oh you gonna love this next song" and turned the volume up even more. He stated he could hear things vibrating in the trunk from the music. So the whole band was a little frayed and frazzled from the breakdown thing and Linford just getting to the show minutes before time to go on. When he sat at his keys to play the opening song he noticed that the setup of his keyboards was reversed and mused "This should be interesting". OK set lists: 7pm If Nothing Else When I Go I Radio Heaven Anything At All Faithfully Dangerous Darlin' Christmas is Coming All I Ever Get For Christmas is Blue Silent Night Moth Curse These Dreams Holy Rain Lucy Miles Helpless encore - Jacks Valentine 10pm If Nothing Else I Radio Heaven Anything At All Faithfully Dangerous Darlin' Christmas is Coming All I Ever Get For Christmas is Blue Silent Night Moth Curse These Dreams Holy Rain Lucy Miles Helpless encore - Ohio (not played) Jacks Valentine Go Down Easy (not played) OK where was I? Karin came over and introduced herself before the show and I just rambled on and on and then Linford walked up and he gave us all the merch info. I had totally forgot to ask her about her mother, so I went around the table and caught up with her and asked. When I got back my wife told me I was overzealous and Karin probably thinks we are stalkers now. Kim Taylor opened with 4 songs, all of which were pretty good but I wasn't able to pay close attention due to the demands at the merchandise table. I will preface all of the review by saying that I couldn't really keep track all the time of when Kim Taylor came out and sang with the band because those annoying people kept coming up wanting to ask questions or buy product, I mean REALLY. Overall, the later show was a much rowdier group, more vocal and animated than the earlier crowd. Over The Rhine was the same. The drums were up an intensity level all of the second show, Jack was much more animated and got more improv time as well. I think Karin was much more 'on' for the second show as well. I thought her vocals lacked a little the first set, but I was pretty sure that the mix had some effect on that as well. Plus the second set Karin was really wailing. Kim Taylor added a lot to the songs she accompanied, but I still miss Terri. There wasn't a lot of banter in either show. Karin once mentioned that people seem to die around her during the holidays and then realized that it may have been slightly morbid and shouted but were gonna have a good holiday anyway. After the next song, Karin asked Linford to talk so she didn't screw it up again. Karin dedicated Silent night to us and thanked us for volunteering. It was the second dedication she has made to us. Years back, she dedicated Paul and Virginia to us. I couldn't remember why but my wife thought it was one of the times we had brought her roses. Karin said that Helpless, by Neil Young had been special to her for a long time. I wasn't overly impressed with Jack's two songs "Curse These Demons" and "Holy Rain", but I was there to see OTR and with people around at the table didn't get to pay close attention. we sold several copies of his CD that night though so he must have made an impression. Karin also mentioned when introducing the band that this was a one shirt tour for Jack. He apparently has worn the same shirt for the whole tour thus far. I think I have rambled all I can for one day. JB
Hello all,I am a newbie here I'm not even sure how to post but I hope this gets posted.I went to the Shuba's show Saturday night and loved it!!This was my first "full band" OTR show but I did see a Linford & Karen acoustic show at Wheaton college this summer which absolutely blew me away.I pretty much knew what the setlist was going to be thanks to you all on here. I had tickets for both early and late shows.The first show was absolutely magical for me being my first time. "When I go" is worth the price of admission itself. They didn't play "The world can wait" like someone on here said they had played a couple days earlier so that dissapointed me.I actually enjoyed the Christmas tunes, I think one is called "Christmas is coming" (which I'm still walking around singing)and the other was just a GREAT Christmas blues tune called "All I get for Christmas is Blue". The bands' van had broken down on the way into Chicago so they had to transfer everything to a Penske truck then unload again at Shubas.Not much fun for a band without a road crew!!So I'm sure they weren't looking forward to playing 2 sets.Being that I had tickets for both the we(all 3 of us..lol)got to stay in while they emptied out the first show and let the second group in.So for the second show I was right against the stage in front of Karen.(There's really nowhere on earth I'd rather be....;) )I asked Mike the sound guy if the second set was going to be identical and he said it wasn't but it was.They cut "When I go" and the Neil Young song,I think they were a little tired as it had been a long day.But I loved it and I hope to get up to Milwaukee Monday for that show.Now for some other thoughts.Can someone explain to me why this band has no road crew,no manager,no record company support??I've been around a long time and let me tell you Karen should be a star(already!) I can't think of any female performer that she' not as good if not better than, which brings me to my next question.How come I can't find any quality live pictures of Karen & Linford anywhere??Does anyone have any I can get?I understand that Linford does not want to exploit Karens beauty over her talent and they're songwriting.But this is planet Earth and this IS a business.And they deserve better than to be playing 2 shows at Shubas with a broken down van after 11 years!!! I also get the feeling that you all don't want them to be successful because then it'll be harder to see them. I kind of agree but we can't be that selfish. They deserve the success and everything that comes with it like financial security,proper management and a road crew..lol And don't even get me started on picking a proper setlist(I really wanted to hear"Like a radio") Anyway thanks for listening to my rants I hope I am welcome here as I really do care about the band and really believe in they're talent.Thanks ,John