Not Jeff Buckley's Starsailor
It is rare that I ever discover a band that I love that isn't already so heavily in the mainstream, I'm just another zombie following the crowd. So in 2001, when I came upon Starsailor, I was surprised I liked a band that wasn't so over-processed that I was just being drugged with the masses. They are often compared to Coldplay, but are definitely very different. Maybe people think that because they are both from across the pond and their lyrics have much more poetry than anything from the overdone songs of America's pop idols and pianos are pretty heavy. I'll add that I love the guitar--probably my favorite instrument that I am interested in learning to play--and the two James' are great guitarist/bassist. Perfect way to make me swoon! Regardless, they are an amazing band with their own sound and when I heard they were playing at Irving Plaza on January 22, five days before their sophomore album is released in the states, I bought tickets the moment they went on sale. Who doesn't want to listen to one of their favorite bands in a small and intimate venue?
Irving Plaza is a super small venue that I really enjoyed being at for a change from MSG. The bar was small, the vendors friendly (they even saved me a t-shirt at the end of the show when everyone else was asking for one--they rocked!), and the sound amazing.
Their opening act was a Johnathan Rice who I liked before I heard him go on a political tirade about getting the "demons" out of the Oval office--musicians shouldn't use their platform to try and become political experts--he should have just asked everyone to vote and make sure they have their opinions and voices heard. After an intermission, the lights go out and a few purple spots come up and we see James Walsh and his fellow Starsailor bandmates come on stage. James Walsh has been compared to a cherub, but I liken his face more to a painting of St. Sebastian that my friend Dolores completely concurs with. Sweet and innocent, yet wise beyond his years. They played from their first album, "Love Is Here," as well as their forthcoming, "Silence Is Easy." The title track was produced by Phil Spector before he was charged with murder--apparently working with him is likened to that as well. The title track is what is going to break Starsailor in the states--I think it should be their first single and I'm sure it will be. It is catchy and has a dancey tune you just want to jump up and down for. I love the first album and it is hard to pick them, but my favorite Starsailor songs from their first album at this time are "Love Is Here," "Lullaby," "Alcoholic," "Good Souls," and "Tie Up My Hands." The last song is my anthem for the moment. The idea that no matter what you want to do, whatever you desire, there isn't anything that can be done--your hands are tied and you don't have a say one way or the other:
Yeah, kinda sad and pathetic of me, but honestly, the best way to describe every situation I've gone through in the past 6 months. But I love "Silence Is Easy" and you'll hear it soon enough if you haven't checked it out at the Starsailor website.
It is usually nice to go to a concert where everyone enjoys being there, but you always have a few people I think were dragged by their SO because they didn't want to go alone. So this person ends up onery and someone you want to hit on the head. Granted, I was standing behind him screaming like a banshee, but once he left, we had a great encore of "Fever" and "Good Souls." As the lights came back up and people started to leave, I ventured to the stage with Dolores and asked a roadie (I forgot to ask his name! but he's a tall Brit with black spikey hair wearing a black long sleeve tee) if there were any lingering setlists. Not only did he produce one of the setlists for me, but he also gave me a drumstick. I was so elated, I didn't think to ask to crash the VIP party even though I might have had an 80% chance of getting to go after I hugged him a thank you. But who wants to be harassed by fans? Then, I got my shirt which the vendor was so kind to put aside for me even though 5 girls were standing there wanting one and that was the last. God bless you t-shirt vendor man! God bless you roadie with a heart! So, if you missed them at Irving Plaza, they will be playing at the Virgin Megastore at Union Square in New York on Tuesday, January 27 when their album, "Silence Is Easy," is released. Check 'em out!
Official Setlist - Irving Plaza, NY, January 22, 2004
Sharkfood
Music Was Saved
Alcoholic
Poor Misguided Fool
Fidelity
Lullaby
Telling Them
Love Is Here
Four To The Floor
Born Again
Tie Up My Hands
Silence Is Easy
-------
Fever
Good Souls
Unofficially, James soloed two covers: Bruce Springsteen's "Thunder Road" and U2's "Where The Streets Have No Name" as well as a snippet of a song he's working on. The covers were very popular and we enjoyed a taste of a new song. Happy New Year all, or as the Cantonese say, Gung hay fat choy! It is the year of the monkey and I think it is going to be a great year--thanks Starsailor!
Irving Plaza is a super small venue that I really enjoyed being at for a change from MSG. The bar was small, the vendors friendly (they even saved me a t-shirt at the end of the show when everyone else was asking for one--they rocked!), and the sound amazing.
Their opening act was a Johnathan Rice who I liked before I heard him go on a political tirade about getting the "demons" out of the Oval office--musicians shouldn't use their platform to try and become political experts--he should have just asked everyone to vote and make sure they have their opinions and voices heard. After an intermission, the lights go out and a few purple spots come up and we see James Walsh and his fellow Starsailor bandmates come on stage. James Walsh has been compared to a cherub, but I liken his face more to a painting of St. Sebastian that my friend Dolores completely concurs with. Sweet and innocent, yet wise beyond his years. They played from their first album, "Love Is Here," as well as their forthcoming, "Silence Is Easy." The title track was produced by Phil Spector before he was charged with murder--apparently working with him is likened to that as well. The title track is what is going to break Starsailor in the states--I think it should be their first single and I'm sure it will be. It is catchy and has a dancey tune you just want to jump up and down for. I love the first album and it is hard to pick them, but my favorite Starsailor songs from their first album at this time are "Love Is Here," "Lullaby," "Alcoholic," "Good Souls," and "Tie Up My Hands." The last song is my anthem for the moment. The idea that no matter what you want to do, whatever you desire, there isn't anything that can be done--your hands are tied and you don't have a say one way or the other:
I wanna love you but my hands are tied
I wanna stay here but I've been denied
Lets watch the clock until the morning sun does rise
-----
I wanna hold you but my hands are tied
I wanna sleep here but I've been denied
I wanna lie here 'til we've killed this bitter doubt
I wanna stay here but I've been denied
Lets watch the clock until the morning sun does rise
-----
I wanna hold you but my hands are tied
I wanna sleep here but I've been denied
I wanna lie here 'til we've killed this bitter doubt
Yeah, kinda sad and pathetic of me, but honestly, the best way to describe every situation I've gone through in the past 6 months. But I love "Silence Is Easy" and you'll hear it soon enough if you haven't checked it out at the Starsailor website.
It is usually nice to go to a concert where everyone enjoys being there, but you always have a few people I think were dragged by their SO because they didn't want to go alone. So this person ends up onery and someone you want to hit on the head. Granted, I was standing behind him screaming like a banshee, but once he left, we had a great encore of "Fever" and "Good Souls." As the lights came back up and people started to leave, I ventured to the stage with Dolores and asked a roadie (I forgot to ask his name! but he's a tall Brit with black spikey hair wearing a black long sleeve tee) if there were any lingering setlists. Not only did he produce one of the setlists for me, but he also gave me a drumstick. I was so elated, I didn't think to ask to crash the VIP party even though I might have had an 80% chance of getting to go after I hugged him a thank you. But who wants to be harassed by fans? Then, I got my shirt which the vendor was so kind to put aside for me even though 5 girls were standing there wanting one and that was the last. God bless you t-shirt vendor man! God bless you roadie with a heart! So, if you missed them at Irving Plaza, they will be playing at the Virgin Megastore at Union Square in New York on Tuesday, January 27 when their album, "Silence Is Easy," is released. Check 'em out!
Official Setlist - Irving Plaza, NY, January 22, 2004
Sharkfood
Music Was Saved
Alcoholic
Poor Misguided Fool
Fidelity
Lullaby
Telling Them
Love Is Here
Four To The Floor
Born Again
Tie Up My Hands
Silence Is Easy
-------
Fever
Good Souls
Unofficially, James soloed two covers: Bruce Springsteen's "Thunder Road" and U2's "Where The Streets Have No Name" as well as a snippet of a song he's working on. The covers were very popular and we enjoyed a taste of a new song. Happy New Year all, or as the Cantonese say, Gung hay fat choy! It is the year of the monkey and I think it is going to be a great year--thanks Starsailor!
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