[StupidWally]

The Atlanta show on 10/12 was awesome... pretty good turnout and they sounded as good or better than the last time they played here which was 1998.... great to see the guys back together touring, and who needs a record label anyway?

[xavier]

I only have the NorVa show from earlier this year to compare, but the Atlanta 10/12 show was fine indeed. A bit shorter and less spontaneous...they didn't ask for requests, but that didn't stop half the crowd from yelling "Dorina" all night (what is up with that, anyway? You know they're going to play it. Ask for something else!). Probably 100 or fewer people in attendance, but it was an enthusiastic crowd, about 1/2 gathered around the stage and the rest seated/standing around the back & sides of the room.

The warm-up act, Ben Taylor Band, was actually very good! My wife wanted to know if he was James Taylor's son (apparently he's named Ben) -- does anyone know? He didn't really look or sound like James. They had a kind of funky pop thing going with lots of groovy keyboard action and strong backbeats.

I can't remember the entire setlist so I won't try to post it, but it didn't deviate much from the ones I've seen posted for here for other shows. Opened with "Dim", closed with "Dorina"...excellent version of "Trip With My Dad" (that song is really growing on me) with a weird psychedelic middle part...brief rendition of "So Tired of Waiting"... no "California Dreaming" or "Boogie Fever"...Mike quoted several Beatles songs, including Eleanor Rigby again, during solos...also quoted the beginning of "Stairway to Heaven"...Mike seemed pretty upbeat, really played to the crowd...Joie hung back a bit more, but got in some good lines about the hair once again...Phil was his usual slammin' congenial self...saw Phil having dinner at the bar before the show, that was kind of a hoot...it looked like Mike iced his arms three times during the show, including once with visible wincing right before "Dorina"...overall the guys seemed very sharp all night, every song sounded great, even "It's All Mine".

The followup act, Tony C. and the Truth, was a kind of bluesy rock mixed with hip-hop sounds...strange, but it sort of worked...unfortunately, they were just so ear-shatteringly loud that I had to leave. There were only about 8 people left in the place at that point anyway, being after 1:00 am on a Sunday night.

Other observations...I wish I had met the young brunette in the black top and very short tan skirt who was all over the room that night, but my wife probably wouldn't think that was a great idea. There was also a very attractive redhead in a striped top in the middle of pack by the stage dancing up a storm all by herself. Kudos to Smiths Olde Bar for having reasonable beer prices during the show! Gurley is an absolute guitar god, did I mention that? How does he do that thing where he stands and just kind of gazes over the crowd while ripping off these complex solos? Or the thing where it seems like he's playing rhythm & lead guitar (chords & individual notes) all at the same time? How does Joie flail his head around that much without scrambling his brains? They didn't have the live CD available at the show, but I think they said it would be available at the Nashville show. I believe I have successfully converted another dada-phile...my buddy who went to the show with me is now hooked.


[Edited on 10/14/2003 by xavier]

[Lance]

Yes... that is indeed James Taylor's son.

L

[PapaSmurf]

great show indeed. saw them in NYC earlier this tour and i thought this show was far better. also got joie to autograph his new cd for me, what a guy, he rules.
when's the live cd coming out??

[StylinGirl]

"There was also a very attractive redhead in a striped top in the middle of pack by the stage dancing up a storm all by herself." Cool- that was me
I've been a long time fan- seen the guys in CA and the Park West ( Chicago) before I moved to ATL, and just got really bored with most stuff I hear. I got dragged out to the show, because, well, sunday night sort of sucks, but wow, was it worth it! Plus- I knew I would kick myself for years if I didn't! Up close. small dedicated crowd- so cool. It felt good to hear my favorite songs again in person. ( they've been played endlessly on my walkman for years now!) Thanks guys for showing us such a great time! More More More! and screw the labels! Love you guys lots- and the very cool fans you have! Thanks!
SG

By the way- Ben Tayor really does sound like his dad. Great warm up!

[dada atlanta fan]

i thought ben taylor sounded exactly like his dad and so did the people at our table. the only problem with that band was the 80's guy on keyboard.. drounded out taylor's great voice and the rest of the guys..

dada rules

[xavier]

Well, I think that saying Ben looked and sounded exactly like James is a bit of a stretch! His voice is a little husky like James', but I don't hear any of his dad's nasal twang. And the musical styles were so different (folksy 70s pop vs. funky 00's hip-pop) that it just seemed completely different. But now having seen Ben in a couple of mags & his website, I have to admit he does look a lot like James. I just didn't see it that night.

Yeah, the keyboard player was a little loud, but I liked the groove he was putting out. That dude was sportin' some leather! After the set he put a leather blazer that matched his pants. What a sharpie.