Look out! He's got a knife!

Review: Jolie Holland at (not) Indigo (anymore)

So, this grumpy old sod walks into a bar...

Jolie Holland was awesome. Really great. Sorry that I don't have a sample download for you yet, I think I'll put up Old Fashion Morphine later in the week.

There was a three-piece band: a guy on drums, a guy on guitar, and Jolie on guitar, violin, piano, and (briefly - for half an unrehearsed requested song which she abandoned) ukelele. They were very fluid and adaptable, and the drummer in particular was superb, bringing a jazz tinge to everything.

The crowd was weird, man. It seemed like everyone was either at least ten years younger or at least twenty years older than me. They were also very enthusiastic, shouting and hooting and cheering at weird moments.

Support player Samuel Flynn Scott flung some country style at us. He was pretty good, but maybe not enough swing. It was a bit disconcerting when he "fuck you"ed the crowd for not coming to his previous gig - he didn't seem to be entirely joking...

Only two demerits, neither the fault of the artists: The bar was over capacity; part of it was boxed off for renovations, and I suspect they sold enough tickets to fill that part too; and the sound, though well done, was too quiet - sometimes the chatter of the crowd overwhelmed the music and I doubt anyone heard the names of the band when Jolie introduced them.

Overall a superb show. Definitely someone to watch out for when she comes back - she seemed surprised at the size of the crowd, which seems like a good incentive to return.

Posted by pearce at August 23, 2006 9:48 AM