The Walkmen (one of my favorite bands) took the stage at Turner Hall Ballroom last night. If these guys make it around your area, make sure to catch them. They are easily one the best live acts around right now.
They have recorded 13 songs August 2009 with Chris Zane and are currently in the process of overdubbing the album, which has no title so far. A number of new songs had been performed live t the show. According to the band, production, overdubbing, and mixing will be completed by December 2009. They are currently aiming at a Spring 2010 release on Fat Possum Records.
Last year I created my “Best of 2008” list and I picked The Walkmen’s You & Me for my first place pick. There was a lot of great music released in 2008, but for me there was something about this album that dug it’s hooks in and didn’t let go. Maybe it was their preference for the sound of vintage instruments, the reverb drenched production or the way the lyrics transported me to another place. If you don’t have this album yet, get it now.
The Walkmen are truly one of the best live acts around right now. Madison Music Review caught them the last time they were in town at the Barrymore opening for Okkervil River. Whether you’re planning to attend Pitchfork Fest or catch them at the beautiful Turner Hall Ballroom, they should not be missed.
Based in New York City and Philadelphia, The Walkmen formed in 2000 with three members from Jonathan Fire*Eater—Paul Maroon (guitar, piano), Walter Martin (organ/bass), and Matt Barrick (drums)—and two from The Recoys, Peter Bauer (bass/organ) and Hamilton Leithauser (vocals, guitar).
Opening the show is Cass McCombs. He received critical acclaim for his 2003 album Aand his album Dropping the Writ was named one of Amazon.com’s Best of 2007. McCombs toured with Modest Mouse in 2005 before moving to Los Angeles to work on his third full-length, Dropping the Writ. He appeared on the WB’s “Rockville, CA” on May 12, 2009.
Tickets: $15
general admission • all ages
non-smoking • handicap accessible
doors: 7pm
Turner Hall Ballroom
1032 N. 4th St., Milwaukee, WI
53203
This was my first time seeing Will Oldham (aka Bonnie Prince Billy) … Fred turned me onto his music just a couple years ago – and I’ve been enjoying his back catalog ever since… BPB’s slow-core folk-punk is intense, and I like that!
The Royal Bonnie Billy
To me Will Oldham just a brilliant artist – a poet, a musician, and an actor – and of course, not a celebrity! Seeing him perform live was just amazing. He was like a man possessed by the music; quite authentically dramatic as you would imagine. I’m still buzzing days later!
BPB opened with “Sheep” and performed many favorites in this set, particularly from The Letting Go – an album that should certainly be required listening for those interested in Will Oldham.
The current Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy band is outstanding and includes
Josh Abrams -bass,
Emmett Kelly -guitar,
Cheyenne Mize -violin and hauntingly beautiful vocals, and
Mr. Jim White -drums.
This was also my first show at Turner Hall in Milwaukee – a very cool venue with great acoustics and sight lines- well worth the drive from Madison! After the show, I saw a fan snag Cheyenne’s setlist – here’s what it looked like:
I’m curious about those dial icons in the left margin…
The night seemed charmed when I was able to buy the last copy at the merch table of getthefuckonjolly – a rare live recording from 2001 – where BPB collaborated with Mick Turner (Marquis de Tren) to put music to the beautiful devotional poetry of Bengali poet Rabindranath Tagore – India’s national poet.
Animal Collective has a sweet little visual gem for you to check out (Click the image below). This is from their amazing new release called Merriweather Post Pavilion. Tickets for Animal Collective’s May 19 show at Turner Hall Ballroom, which starts at 8 p.m., are $20, and are available starting at noon Friday at the Pabst and Riverside theater box offices, www.pabsttheater.org, and (414) 286-3663.
