Sept. 22, 2005 Orpheum, Vancouver, BC

Set List
No Quarter
Shine it all around
Black Dog
Freedom Fries
Going to California
Girl from the North Country
Four Sticks
Thank You
Hey Joe
Tin Pan Valley
Gallows Pole

Encore:
The Enchanter
Whole Lotta Love

by Lynx
Still levitating after the show by Robert and SS last night, (my second time seeing him this year). What a night!!!!

I went with two of my best friends who I have known since high school, my brother and two other good friends. After an energetic set by the Trews the anticipation began to build. We were all seated right down in front and it was a thrill watching the roadies bring out the incense while Lo’Jo and Tinarwen played overhead.

Finally, after the deliciously agonizing SIAA remix intro the band took the stage - the crowd went insane when the band edged its way on stage my friend and I were screaming like teenagers when we first glimpsed Robert!!!

I love the way the entire band plays the bendir in No Quarter- and the way Robert gets the audience clapping along.

I am more and more amazed by the Strange Sensation - they have amazing versatility and creativity. Also wonderful is the chemistry they have with which they seem to spark each others playing. Most important they seem to love playing toghether - it’s fun to watch them having fun! We were right in front of Skin who put on an inspired performance. I love the way he creates washes of sound.

Robert was in fine form too and seemed to be having a great time. He looked wonderful (albeit beardless!!!) fit and wearing that glowing smile. He was very warm and chatty and joked a lot between songs. He had a black short sleeved shirt with white vertical stripes on either side and black floral patterned trousers.

It was a fun, noisy crowd as well - I enjoyed seeing the age range from really young teenagers to those who could have been their grandparents. It was great to be with really good friends who’ve also loved Robert’s music for as long as I have!

Personal highlights were “Thank You” which came as a real surprise. They played it fairly faithfully to the original, sweet and beautiful, and Robert added his baa, baa, baa’s at the end as in the “No Quarter” version. Their version of “Hey Joe” sent shivers down my spine, they create a mood of menace with this song that I believe even eclipses the Hendrix version! Also, I get to love “Freedom Fries” more all the time, fabulous live. “Girl from the North Country” was lovely as well.

I was a little disappointed not to hear more from MR. I would love to hear “Another Tribe” live and missed the harmonica solo in MR. However, “The Enchanter” was as magnificent as ever.

Another thing I keep remembering about the show were the intros which Robert would add to particular sounds which suggested the song main song that was to follow. For example, on “Gallow’s Pole” he opened with a few lines from what sounded like an old folk song which involved a prisoner calling to the jailor for water…really added a beautiful, haunting dimension to the song. The intro to Whole lotta love this time was a few lines from a suitably sultry blues number, something about “where d’you get your sugar?”. The man is just a walking musical encyclopedia!!!

Robert’s last words were “Goodnight Vancouver…we’ll be back when we have something more to say” - I hope that’s soon!