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Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Cat Power Failure

I'm cutting some corners for this week's YouTube clip. Full disclosure, this clip is my own. Not how I usually handle things here, but this will save you from yet another post from me this week as I also review Sunday's Cat Power show at the 9:30 Club.

I like Cat Power alright. She's got good pipes, and I'm a sucker for a pretty lady who sings, has a brain, and is a bit nutty. We caught a glimpse of Chan Marshall at Pitchfork in 2007. But just a glimpse. Sunday night, I caught more than a glimpse, but was still left wanting more.

Just trying to capture a bit of video of her was a chore. It was like she was running from the sights of a rifleman - from one corner of darkness to another. I know she has a reputation for being a bit of a head case in her live performances. But she ran from one side of the stage to the other, avoiding the wide open middle, as if a bird of prey were circling above.

I finally managed to capture a bit of her here:


At Pitchfork, she kept apologizing for her voice (which was good then as it was Sunday night). No apologies this time around, though I was sorry that we heard a lot of the same sound from her. Bluesy bluesy bluesy, yes. Nice work, but you are not going to hold my attention forever with the same formula of three/four dudes laying down the rhythm while you sputter out the same ol' blues. "Fortunate Son," her CCR cover (found on her 2008 EP, Dark End of the Street), followed a similarly slow and methodical delivery that nearly took all the life out of the song.

By the end of the show, I was relieved that there was no encore. I enjoyed my night, but I really had my fill. I think I prefer Cat Power in the car, or in my home, or somewhere comfortable with access to food and drink.

4 comments:

Jimbromski said...

Ever since she went on this covers kick she's be in decline. Mainly because, as you mentioned, all her covers are the same style...slow, shambling and really boring.

Anonymous said...

You left out the best part. We saw her underwear! It was purple! I've got the mind of a 12-year-old boy...

Jumbo Slice said...

I totally agree w/ Jimbromski. It's been downhill since You Are Free. I didn't care for the Memphis blues on The Greatest and the Cover albums didn't improve on the originals. They just slowed them down.

I'm all for purple panties though.

Potsy said...

oh yeah. The undees. The most excitement she provided all night.