Artists: Squirrel Nut Zippers, Firecracker Jazz Band
Venue: Highline Ballroom, NYC, NY
Date: August 24, 2007
After 7 long years, in which I’d left the crowded halls of East for the crowded classes of Tech and finally for the crowded streets of NY, the Squirrel Nut Zippers were back. If not with a new album, then at least a live show which could rock the socks off a deaf-mute man wearing boots.
But first there were fireworks — or rather, the Firecracker Jazz Band, a fantastic little group out of Asheville, NC. Playing mostly uptempo early jazz/ragtime pieces, the band had a set of wonderful musicians and interesting characters — or so I started imagining. First, there were the two movie stars in the band: Jude Law & Steve Buscemi.
While we had seen Law’s sax-playing abilities in the Talented Mr. Ripley, he seemed better suited on the drums here. His arrogant attitude in many films seemed particularly fitting with his intense antics on the drumset here (combining in equal parts the flamboyant dramatisms of Brian Viglione and the ridiculous expressions of the drummer from the Icy Demons). Buscemi, for his part, was a more than able pianist, hammering out jaunty vaudeville-style tunes during his solos; it was easy to believe we had been transported to the roaring 20s again, what with the classy music and the even classier suits sported by many members of the band.
And then the shocking revelation: Buscemi and Law, brothers! Astounding! Never could I have pictured such different actors to be linked by blood, let alone as intimate a relationship as brotherhood. Although I must admit that on stage with their fedora hats and smart-looking vest-suits, one could certainly see the similarity.
My attention shifted next to the trombonist, an old cool dude who after every song would throw up his right fist, Breakfast Club style (or is it Viva La Revolucion! style?).
He seemed to keep it up a few beats too long to make it seem natural. Each time, he looked expectantly upon the crown until eventually audience members started doing it as well, satisfying him.
But definitely the biggest surprise was the singer, Caroline Pond, a lovely southern belle (incidentally, one of the many disappointments of Tech was the severe lack of southern belles there) — with a low cut red gown and constant dancing on stage, it was hard to miss her. And when she opened her mouth to sing, it was impossible to forget her voice: it was a cross between a whining wife and a sexy seductress that hooked me right away (yes. I really meant to type “whining wife”, and no, it’s not a bad thing in this case). So unreal was it that I had a similar sort of eye-ear disconnect as I had for Death Vessel (although with much more sight-sound attractiveness on both counts).
When the Zippers came on, I was surprised to see a wild-looking Jimbo Mathus and a very stylist bassist. Somehow I pictured…I don’t know what, but probably someone younger and more “normal” looking. But as soon as Jimbo started singing, it became immediately clear that yes, he was indeed the guy singing on the albums. In contrast, Katherine Whalen looked younger and more sedate than I imagined, but again her singing immediately confirmed her as Mathus’s partner-in-crime.
To my delight, their show was structured much more like a jazz set — extended songs with solos and improvisation. Even the singing parts were treated more like just another instrument: not firing all the time but with full spotlights on them when they were. The strong musicianship of all involved constantly reminded me of why I fell in love with them in the first place, and I wasn’t the only one. People were jumping all around us. One girl next to me was there with her parents, and she suddenly started swing-dancing with her dad. A small circle formed around them, and the band only played with more enthusiasm on noticing it.
With 4 full-length discs and a handful of odds and ends, it would have been too much to ask for all my favorites to have been played, but with the notable exception of “Anything But Love,” I was obliged with all my other (mental) requests. And while every song was played at least as well as on the album (with several standouts), “La Grippe” was particularly intense. As my very first Zippers song, it holds a special place in my heart, and their 10 minute version had such a strong Moroccan feel that just made it incredibly more authentic.
So it was with great reluctance that the audience let the combined two bands leave after their joint encore. Even as the song “It’s Over” started, people were already shouting requests for the band to stay, to say it’s not so. Here’s hoping that their first tour in 7 years is just the beginning of a return to form for the Squirrel Nut Zippers.
Interesting to know.
Eulalie
October 27th, 2008