speed of dark

All photos except the above are thumbnails that link to larger versions

Joe Arthur's second night at the Roxy Theater in Los Angeles Wednesday was slow to get started. I looked around and saw that even though it was after 10:30 and more people had arrived after the Stars of Track and Field set, the room was not full. In spite of writing and recording top-notch material for ten years, Arthur is still too little-known.

Although not new to touring, until recently he was a solo performer aided on stage by electronic looping techniques. As of last year he has a band, the Lonely Astronauts, and he has chosen some quality musicians to be in it: Kraig Jarret Johnson on keyboard and guitars (Golden Smog, The Jayhawks), Jennifer Turner on guitar (Fur Slide, Natalie Merchant), Greg Wieczorek (AKA Gee Whiz) on drums (Twilight Singers, The Honorary Title), and Sibyl Buck on bass (Champion Of Sound, Milk 4 Cats).

He seems completely at ease on stage with them, and all you have to do is look at the photos to see that they thoroughly enjoy being there. Both Turner and Johnson provide strong backing vocals, and Arthur still does those tricks with electronics too. The sound in this show was impeccable.

The set kicked off with "Cocaine Feet", "Diamond Ring", and "Spaceman" from the latest album, Let's Just Be, recorded this year with the band. In fact most of the show was made up of songs from this album and its predecessor, 2006's Nuclear Daydream. "Take Me Home" began with a long intro then segued into "Too Much To Hide," with Turner's harmonies smoothing Arthurs ragged growls. After ten songs, they left the stage briefly.

The break allowed the techs recording the performance to take a master CD to the merch area for duplicating and get a new one in place for the second half of the show. As usual with Arthur's shows, you can purchase a copy of the concert you heard after the show. I wish more bands did that!

Arthur started off the second half solo, with a gorgeous version of "Honey and the Moon," probably his best-known song and certainly one of his most beautiful. I turned to Indie Mom and said, "This made everything (Ticketmaster's "convenience" fees, the long drive, the traffic, the late performance) worth it."

But it was the next song that knocked our socks off. This was "Prison" from the 1999 EP Vacancy, and it gave us a taste of how he used to accomplish his full layered sound live without a band--by quickly recording a series of loops to accompany himself. It also showcased just how incredible the scope and range of his voice is. It was absolutely stunning to witness.

The band then returned for "In the Sun" and played five more songs, including one that may be a new song for the next album, slated to be released later this year.

All in all this was a very satisfying concert. Arthur's body language and stage presence convey all the confidence, strut, and swagger of Mick Jagger without the affectation or preciousness. He doesn't just stand on the stage and play--this is a man who knows how to ENTERTAIN an audience. He engages you completely as a part of his own experience of the evening. The fact that you get to take "your" concert home emphasizes his intention to share himself with you. I swear I can hear myself laugh when he introduces the band at the beginning of "Prison."

Although I had not been as impressed with Let's Just Be as with previous albums, seeing how much of himself Arthur pours into the songs while performing them live makes them a hundred times more appealing. He does not perform his songs by rote from the CD versions, either. They are all reworked and rearranged, making each one familiar yet unique and fresh.

Joe Arthur and the Lonely Astronauts get an A+ from me--this was everything I could wish for from a concert. Check the tour schedule, and if they're appearing near you, try to go. I will share here a couple of songs from "my" concert, but only for a few days out of respect for this artist. Joe Arthur is not owned by some big record label. What he has done as far as publishing and promoting his music, he has done pretty much by himself. My advice is to buy a ticket and get a concert CD of your own.

Live at the Roxy Theater:
Chicago
Honey and the Moon
Prison

Click image for full size:

Left: Close-up of Arthur's jacket, showing the designs he has drawn on it. Middle: Turner and Arthur. Right: Kraig on "I Will Carry."



Left: Jen Turner harmonizes. Middle: Sybil Buck--look at that grin! Right: Gee Whiz!


Left: Kraig Jarret Johnson. Middle: Jen Turner's face paint. Right: Sybil in a potato-sack dress. Girls, get yourselves some clothes!

Website | MySpace |BUY
Lyrics | Previous post on Speed of Dark

Scheduled shows:
May 12 2007 - The Parish, Austin, TX
May 13 2007 - The Engine Room, Houston, TX
May 14 2007 - One Eyed Jack's, New Orleans, LA
May 16 2007 - Zydeco, Birmingham, AL
May 17 2007 - Smith's Olde bar, Atlanta, GA
May 18 2007 - 40 Watt Club, Athens, GA
May 19 2007 - Exit/In, Nashville, TN
May 20 2007 - Lime Spider, Akron, OH
May 21 2007 - Nightclub 9:30, Washington DC
May 23 2007 - Bowery Ballroom, New York, NY
May 25 2007 - The Mod Club, Toronto, Ont
Mid-September: Austin City Limits, Austin TX