Sea Shanty is the new Hip-Hop!
... is what a fellow concert-goer called out as The Decemberists prepared to launch their nautical epic "The Mariner's Revenge Song" last night at the Crystal Ballroom. I've talked about these guys before as one of the shining lights of Portland's musical scene, but last night was the first time either Christine or I have seen them live. And they didn't disappoint, belting out their eclectic mix of sea-shanties, dirges, murder songs and strangely poppy gems with much aplomb. Front man Colin Meloy has to be one of the wittiest, most literate singers ever, entertaining the crowd effortlessly with his banter and mocking rock'n'roll posturing. The night had it all: great music, re-enactments of shanghaing in 1870's Portland and a full house screaming in agony as they were all swallowed by a giant whale.
The support act was also excellent, another Portland band called Pseudosix. We'll keep an eye on them in the future!
Last night was also interesting, because we met a guy in the crowd who was recording the show for his own personal use. Not with a mobile phone or a smuggled tape deck or iPod, but with fully professional-looking microphones mounted on a huge pole! We got to talking and he simply said that neither the venue or the band minds, and in fact, he often gets to patch into the sound desk as well! I'm more used to venues that throw you out if you try to take a picture using any kind of camera or if you attempt to record the show, so this was all a bit new. Anyway, we have his contact details and juicy MP3s of the show will be coming our way soon!
Posted in: chaosboy, music, portland, shows on January 24, 2008 at at 5:19:00 PM