speed of dark

The last time I was at the Avalon a dozen years ago it was called the Palace, and I watched from a safe distance while audience members slam-danced. Thursday night, in the nicely remodeled hall, the audience mildly sat and listened to ambient cello and then waltzed in shoulder-hugging groups to balkan accordion--what a difference!

Colleen

After Alaska In Winter's set, a member of Beirut came out to announce acoustic instrumental artist Colleen and asked the audience to please sit down so they would be able to hear her quiet music. Everyone obediently lowered themselves to the floor, and conversations hushed. Colleen seated herself inside the fence of Beirut's microphone stands and began with sweet, sad cello compositions. She also played some lovely clarinet accented with wind chimes. Although these songs were just barely too exciting to be massage music, they seemed to be well-received.
MySpace | Website | Label: The Leaf

BEIRUT

Beirut's debut CD The Gulag Orkestar was third in my Favorites of 2006, but I don't think this year's Flying Cup Club will rank as highly. I was much fonder of the weary melancholy and rollicking East European beats of Gulag more than the 50's French pop influences of Flying Cup, but I am slowly warming up to it.

In performance, Zach Condon kept to the upbeat numbers from the new album mixed with audience favorites from the first CD and some unreleased numbers as well--a couple I didn't recognize. I had read that at least one earlier show was marred by someone playing in the wrong key, but at this point, the last show in the tour, there were no glitches or sloppiness. All the band members played their parts expertly, switching instruments smoothly between songs.


Kristin Ferebee (violin), Perrin Cloutier (accordion), and Zach Condon
Setlist (help is appreciated)
1. The Penalty
2. Brandenberg
3. Nantes
4. Scenic World
5. Mt. Wroclai
6. Sunday Smile
7. Elephant Gun
8. Cherbourg
9. In the Mausoleum
10. After the Curtain
11. ?
12. Postcards from Italy
13. Le Moribond (Jacques Brel song)
14. Gulag Orkestar

Encore:
Ederlezi?
Siki Siki Baba

The MP3s here were taken from a show performed in Toronto on 10-02-07.

Condon clearly relishes the role of band leader and proves himself to be a born entertainer and confident showman. He kept steady on the thin line he has drawn for Beirut between suave panache and wild, utter abandon to the music. His enthusiasm overflowed and infected the crowd, who swayed, sang, and group-hugged to the rhythm. I especially liked how Condon and accordionist Perrin Cloutier slowed my favorite "Elephant Gun"'s carousel down and down, sliding into sour notes before stopping. And there is no way to resist the riotous "Siki Siki Baba," the perfect last number.

I am pleased that I was able to get many good pictures of this performance. I may create a special photo page for additional pictures when I have more time. (See our current photo pages here.)

At the end of the show, the drummer tossed shreds of paper (the setlist?) into the air, and he and Zach raised their arms as if in victory. The audience would have loved for the show to go on and on, but for the band the tour was over.

Beirut's European tour begins November 6 in Manchester, U.K.

MySpace | Website | Label: BA DA BING Records