Alburquerque, NM - Sunshine Theatre, 11/21/03


Tue, 25 Nov 2003
Norman Davis

Hadn't been around for a while, but I thought I'd come back at least long enough to fill you in about my close encounter with Liz. Was up in Albuquerque on business a week and a half back, couldn't believe it when the radio station said Liz was appearing at the Sunshine Theater on the 21st. Off to the nearest Ticketmaster where I was shocked again to find tickets were general admission and less than 20 bucks. Blew off a day on the trip I was supposed to be making to the eastern part of the state, and I'm set. Tried to see Liz 5 months ago when she was opening for the Flaming Lips in Oklahoma City, but on 2 days notice, tickets were long gone. I once bought a ticket to see Alannis Morissette in Phoenix, just in case Liz was opening the western dates. Puedes decir obsesion? Got to the theater at 6:30- paper says doors open at 7- paper lies. Hour later, they're letting us in. Someone walks past the line on Central, says "line's not too long", not seeing where it turns south and has about 150 to 200 people in that stretch. Get in, and have instant flashback to the Joint at the Hard Rock in Vegas. Same general layout, general ambience. Though why you'd want to sit in the balcony if you're not a sniper escapes me. There's a spot free on the extreme right, couldn't get any closer without actually being on stage (thank you, Jesus). Wheat is on first- Boston area band- never heard of them, but they turn out to be pretty good and Liz comes out to do backup on one song, so that's not hard to take. Ought to change their name to Wheet, then they could tour with Korn or Riice or Barlee or Sore-gum. Set ends, then Liz is back, looking like a 13 on a 10 scale. Tight blue jeans, black belt, changed into a yellow tank top- tied in a knot in back so her stomach and lower back are showing- hints of black bra, hair like the latest CD cover. She's got the Brittney-style microphone/headset. Starts out with "6'1", then "Johnny Feelgood", some other song, then my personal fave, "Polyester Bride". Liz promises a mix of old and new, and delivers on that, plus 2 songs that are either new or obscure enough that I don't recognize them. "Flower" sounds great, solid backing that the CD version lacked. After she does the song, she says that when she see small kids in the audience, she wishes someone would cover their ears. For the new stuff, she does "Why Can't I", "Extraordinary", "Favorite" and resting a hand on top of a red guitar, "Rock Me". We seemed to make some eye contact, especially during "Never Said". I know she looked over at least once, because she read the cardboard sign the guy next to me was holding up, and gave him a thumbs-up. She was in good voice, but she did stop three-quarters of the way to use a throat spray. While she was doing it, I called out "Lucky spray", don't know if she heard me or not. If she had stage fright, it didn't seem to show. Maybe she felt less pressure since it was the last night of the tour. Only one encore, but she sang "H.W.C.", "Fuck and Run" and "Supernova."
Overall, I thought it was well worth the trip. No "Uncle Alvarez", "Take a Look", or "What Makes You Happy", but you can't always get what you want. Rolling Stone called her a M.I.L.F., and after spending a good part of an evening looking at her butt, I'd have to say that that's a Phair statement. Feel kind of a letdown, now I guess I have to find a new obsession. Saw Michelle Branch in concert, good music, but hard to get excited about. And Avril- not in this life. Wonder if Vanessa Carlton has been feeling neglected lately.