Hi folks
I just got back from Liz's Montreal show, and from my point of view, I'm pleased to report that it was wonderful, if somewhat short, much like the lady herself....
First things first, here's the not very surprising set list:
1) 6'1"
2) Johnny Feelgood
3) Friend of Mine
4) Polyester Bride
5) Mesmerizing
6) Rock Me
7) Divorce Song
8) Perfect World
9) Flower
10) Favorite
11) Help Me Mary
12) Extraordinary
13) Jealousy
14) Glory (which was not written on the set list)
15) Never Said
16) Why Can't I
17 Supernova
Encores
18) H.W.C.
19) Fuck and Run
And run she did.... In the brief chat she had with 3 or 4 of us before the show she explained that she had to be in a Toronto TV studio for a morning show by 6:00 a.m Friday, so she was going to have to leave immediately after the concert, which she did, except to spend a few minutes signing as many things as possible from the stage. I asked her which morning show it was, but she didn't know. It could be Canada AM, but it's unlikely most of you will even see this note until it's too late...
Anyway, I thought Liz was in great form, and she seemed genuinely appreciative of how enthused the crowd was. Screams of delight greeted each song's beginning and end. She told the packed house that she was pleased at how "into it" the crowd was, and that it made her "into it" in return..or words to that effect. It had been over 9 1/2 years since her last and only show here, and the folks that turned out seemed to have bottled up their applause all that time. From where I was standing, practically hanging over Liz's monitors at the lip of the stage, about a foot away from her, it felt as though most of the crowd was singing along with nearly each song. She certainly didn't appear to be just going throught the motions, as has been reported at some of the shows. Liz was highly engaged and entertaining, and entertained as well by the crowd. Someone near the stage flashed her the heavy metal "bullhorns" sign with his pinky and forefinger, and she laughed quite hard and "signed" right back at him. She was using a head set microphone, which she had to adjust from time to time, but I think it worked well for her. She also played guitar on every song except one, as I recall.
The show lasted about 75 minutes, each of which I found quite beautiful. And speaking of beautiful...as a sensitive 21st century male, I don't wish to attach too much importance to a person's appearance..but holy tamole, did Liz ever look amazing. When I saw her before the show, she was wearing a classy tailored blue suit, VERY high heeled boots, with which she was barely able to negotiate the steep stairs at the club.... and she looked gorgeous and glamorous. I thought that she would wear that outfit during the show, but much to my jaw-dropping surprise, once she hit the stage, she was in knee high boots, the requisite fishnet stockings, black knit short, shorts and a green tank top with the word "London" on it. Oh, and the shorts were very short. Also, I should mention that she wore shorts which were quite miniscule. As well, there was a great lack of length to the shorts which she was practically wearing.... Uhm, where was I...?
Oh, yeah, the Liz Phair show... Well, just to finish off the appearance thing, as she was signing stuff after the show, and she bent down to sign the set list I had peeled off her monitor, I told her to come back soon, and she (of course) said she would. I then (against my better judgement perhaps) said, "Okay, but next time, could you wear something sexy...?" She laughed, and said something like "Yeah, i just felt very ______ today." Couldn't quite make out the word she said with all the shouting, but it may have been "demure." Anyway, she seemed to enjoy the joke... I realize some people resent Liz's wardrobe selection of late, which granted may draw occasionally from the latest trends in fashionable slutwear, but it feels very much like it's all in good fun, and I didn't get any sense of desperation from her, as some unkind critics have accused...
Well, I think Liz made a very successful evening of it for all who turned out. There was tremendous excitement even after the show ended, judging from the many people I talked to afterwards. For me, standing that close to her, so that she had no choice other than to make direct eye contact with me with great frequency, it was a very memorable night which I enjoyed immensely. (Of course, everyone always thinks the singer is looking right at them during a show, but this time it might have been more than my imagination, as several people - none of whom I knew - came up to me afterwards and remarked on how Liz was often singing right at me....The fact that she had to because my face was practically in hers may have been a contributing factor...)
For my money, Liz continues to be great artist, who delivered a set which generously featured more songs from Exile then her new CD, yet the palpable audience reaction to the new songs helped maintain a sense of excitement throughout the entire length of the show. Good for her, good for us.
Must go sleep now.
Bye,
Gerry
PS Did I mention the tininess of Liz's diminutive shorts...?