Colin Hay @ World Cafe Live Philadelphia, PA 4-6-09

Mr. Colin Hay!

After his show (and during) you feel like you know him. Great storytelling!

This was my 1st show at World Cafe Live---WHY DID IT TAKE ME THIS LONG? Absolute one of the best venues I have attended. The sound was crisp, clear and B E A U T I F U L.

This was a FUN show, from Colin's continually humorous banter and his trademark sound, the crowd was enlightened by his lyrics as he sang of life and the ability to enjoy the life all the while a smile.

I have a set list, if you will, but I don't know all the titles. I will give the lyric snippets and you can fill in what you will, known titles in yellow italics.

1. No time to live, no time to die, no time for sorrow.
2. California- Golden Promises
3. New & unreleased-Play the highlights, came into your store you don't work there
4. Who Can it Be Now
5. Conversation
6. Melbourne Song
7. Down Under
8. Nothing left, nothing came, can't stop my mind from doing prison time
9. Bees buzzing in my ear
10. Norwegian Wood
11. My Hometown
12. I Just Don't Think I'll Ever Get Over You
13. Maggie
14. Circles Erratica

15. Beautiful World
16. Overkill
17. Waiting For My Real Life to Begin


When a musician is enjoying himself on stage it shows and Colin enjoyed himself immensely. When the crowd was asked for requests the crowd jokingly shouted out "Freebird" & "Norwegian Wood"....thank goodness he made the right choice!

Colin has a new record coming out in April on Compass Records; Transcendental Highway. If you make the purchase it will surprise you--you can't miss with poetry, Colin's accent and his trademarked guitar sound!

Colin's 15 minutes of fame (Men at Work 1979-1986) continues from the time he takes the stage and begins his strumming and storytelling till his last song which in this case, appropriately was Waiting For My Real Life to Begin his 15 minutes has been extended.

Ray LaMontagne @ the Tower Theatre, Philadelphia, PA 4/4/09

The voice that is described as an "amplified whisper"; Ray LaMontagne.

After speaking with his bassist of the past few years Jennifer Condos, she commented "that the trick to working with Ray is to not get in his way".

On this tour Jennifer's boyfriend Ethan Johns is drumming. Jenn and I talked about the past US Guster tour as well as Ray's European fan base and she mentioned that the next leg of the tour in Europe may be a threesome.

LaMontagne refers to himself as a "very private person", and rarely gives interviews. He also usually does not interact much with the audience between songs. LaMontagne has been known to perform live shows in the dark in order to separate himself from the audience. Source: Wikipedia

Ray's music is the spotlight and his humility shows in his performance. This is one reason I believe he receives more appreciation in Europe and my guess, an audience that is discerning and refined, something I would think Ray appreciates.

For this Philly show he omitted the final song Wild Horses and during Empty a fight had broken out towards the rear of the theatre causing the audience to be distracted.

Two unreleased songs were performed: Allie a ballad of love and Achin All the Time a country sounding song.

About 2/3's of the way through the show the few hecklers gave up shouting out "I love you's" and song requests given Ray's total ignorance of their voices. Ray is an artist that when performing is showing his heart. This is where his communication comes in and for audience members who seem to want the spotlight or to connect with Ray this can be difficult. I say let him sing and play whatever/whenever/however he wants to.

It is hard to come away from his shows and not feel "moved" and I think this man's talent is amazing and his shows are pure art.

The click between audience and artist did not take place at this show. The music performed sounded as good as the albums and Ray's voice can give you goosebumps. The missing element of connection and Ray's ommission of the last song showed that he did not feel the electricity as well.