Cat Power - Live.

[JimDocker]

Cat Power is a singer with a very mixed history as a live performer. She went through a period where she would often not complete songs or whole sets as she was depressive and affected by substance abuse.

I attended one of those famous concerts and left after half an hour. I was not prepared to stand and listen to her warble on. The next time I saw her, she was in great form vocally and her band was swinging. It was almost a Stax revue concert. Very soulful and up beat.

Last night, I saw her again. Her band was, as always amazing with Jim White in particular a wonder to behold on the drums. But I was really bored. After a great start with an uptempo song and Jim's drumming brilliant, the concert seemed to go intoauto pilot for about an hour with every song at the same pace and her brilliant vocal ability tempered to suit it.

Lots of other people seemed to love it, but I was genuinely bored until the final couple of songs.

Anybody else go?

 

[crownie]

saw her at Pyramid Rock.

her set was very hit and miss, great when the band raised the tempo and jammed but lulled majorly in other parts.

the drummer though was awesome.

 

[ize_]

"Maybe if I close my eyes this gig will be over and I can leave," Palais, Hepburn Springs 2003

"Sit down, sit down! I can't play when you're standing," Corner Hotel, Richmond 2003. Stickiest carpet in Melbourne.

 

[Plugger35]

Like a lot of her stuff, very talented. Never seen her live and the mixed reports of her live performances have put me off to be honest.

Probably better just to watch her live performances on youtube.

[YOUTUBE]MJfQXS1hKDo[/YOUTUBE]

I love this song, can't find a decent live version though.

[youtube]TZVqNnqEDO8[/youtube]

 

[JimDocker]

A review in The West today described the concert as tedious.

Having no musical ability to speak of, it can be easy to criticise people that put themselves on the line, but she is so talented, it is just a great pity that she cannot harness it all for a great gig like many others can. Even people with less talent.

As for Jim White, if yiou were impressed with his drumming, get along and see Dirty Three when they tour early this year. One of the best live acts ever.

 

[Willie_Rioli]

am a big fan, but likewise have always been a little underwhelmed by her live performances. not the most engaging of singers.
i just got back from overseas, and noticed she's not even playing a show in Melbourne. very odd.
anyway, am off tonight to see Future of the Left. one of my fav bands. can't wait!

 

[Willie_Rioli]

anyway, am off tonight to see Future of the Left. one of my fav bands. can't wait!

shit just read the rules, and have already manage to have broken em. I seemed to have hijacked the thread!
sorry Captain Sensible.

 

[nicky]

posted this in another thread so apologies

New album coming out shortly



Very different to her usual stuff, not that i don't love her usual music - song to bobby is genius. But it's nice to hear a bit of upbeatness coming from her

 

[4evablues]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cat_Power

"By the turn of the century, Marshall's live performances had become erratic and unpredictable, with The New Yorker suggesting, "It is foolhardy to describe a Cat Power event as a concert," citing "rambling confessions" and "[talking] to a friend's baby from the stage." Marshall later attributed this period to a drinking problem, telling HARP magazine in 2006 "I didn't know I was messed up." Marshall has admitted abusing alcohol in the past; in a 2006 interview with The New York Times, she declared herself to be sober, which she defined as having had "seven drinks in seven months."
Following the cancellation of the arranged tour of "The Greatest" album in 2006, Marshall used the hiatus to recover from what she described as a "psychotic break," brought on by mental exhaustion and alcohol abuse, which had left her feeling suicidal. As part of her recovery, she was admitted to the psychiatric ward at Miami's Mount Sinai Medical Center but left after a week, stating "being in there wasn't me." She later likened the experience to "a pit of hell." Marshall gave a first person account of her breakdown in an interview for the November 2006 issue of Spin"

Troubled past probably answers alot of the questions fans ask. Amazing singer/song writer but dealt with alot of crap in her past and used substances like alcohol and heroin.

Sad to hear cos she is so damn talented!

 

[SimonSez]

I saw her here in Melb, Prince Bandroom I think. She was great!

 

[nicky]

"Sun" is a great album

 

[JimDocker]

Check out this video. She does a great job of taking the piss out of herself. Very funny.

 

[WinmarToLockett]

saw her support the bad seeds and she was alright, saw her last year in new york and she was brilliant.

can't wait to see her in march!

 

[Mr_Bojangles]

Seen her twice and left early both times. I'd rather here a gunshot from my child's bedroom rather than have to deal with that shit again. I know she's coming back but not going to get sucked in a third time.

 

[bradrowe#32]

Love her to bits. Had tix for Melbourne a few years back but couldn't make it.