July 12, 2008

“I was watching the last scene of Cinderella, when she leaves in the stage coach with her Prince, or whatever. And my OCD-self was like, “Where is her suitcase?” “She can’t sleep in THAT.” “And, where do they vacation? Where do you go from Never Ever Land?” “The Bahamas? Western Europe, maybe?” I mean, what happens if the Prince, you know, puts on some poundage in a couple of years. What happens when Cinderella becomes saggy, old, and unattractive. You know it’s true. These are real, daily issues! So that’s where this song came from.”

Helen and I got to the entrance at around 8 but had to hike past the huge line that snaked through the Post Office, and the Taco Bell, and the Dry Cleaners around the corner. We were stunned, and stupid for thinking we were early. But more stupid events followed.

OKAY so when I went to Kate Nash (Album), I walked right into the Fillmore with a Rebel – no questions asked. Tonight, the purse-groper practically snatched my camera by its lens and walked me over to coat check, where it was probably molested by other withheld possessions. From the …hm, 4 and a half total minutes I had with my camera, the four pictures above were the only pictures that survived. But what began as a damper on my night was actually a blessing in disguise. For anyone who cares, the venue is practically legendary; it helped launch the rock careers of The Doors, Pink Floyd, The Who and even featured non-rock acts like Aretha Franklin and Otis Redding back in its youth. It was a different experience seeing the Fillmore in front of the camera lens – a great ambience, a great crowd, a GREAT performer. First of all, I had no respect/expectations/patience for the opening act Raining Jane because some reviews said they were just some random lezbo foursome who happened to play some eclectic instruments. Two minutes into their set I realized how wrong I was (and how vagina-hating that review was). The percussionist has crazy uncontrollable curls that bounce to the beat of her own drum (literally); she was my definite favorite. They have this track that is completely alien from everything else on their playlist, but you can just tell that it’s a constant crowd pleaser. The song is an original and it is titled “Mona and Becky Take You Down to Browntown“. (SMP, I think you’ll like this one)

Waiting for Sara to take stage felt like forever, but it was completely worth it. Worth the double-price we paid for the tickets, worth the four hours of standing behind an annoying thirty-something couple trying to be hip, worth risking scoliosis from constantly craning our necks (Oh wait, sorry Helen.). Sara Bareilles is one of those genuine musicians that actually sound better live than on their actual albums. Two years ago, iTunes put Love Song up as a free download and then her album went #1 for a whole month. I remember watching this video of her first live performance of the album and …melting. Aside from all of the camera mishap and conveniently tall build of all our Sara-loving concert neighbors, the whole night was amazing. I wish Sara could just outstretch her arms and hug the wide expanse of human love and appreciation in front of her.