By: Nancy Jane Meyer
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John Munson and Dave Pirner join Adam Levy of the Honeydogs on stage at the Fitzgerald Sunday - Photo by Steve Cohen of musicphotography.com (click here or on photo for full gallery from this show)
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If there was any doubt that the Honeydogs are the most underrated, underappreciated band in town, last’s night absolutely stellar performance to a small but enthusiastic crowd at the Fitgerald Theater was undeniable proof. It was sheer musical extravaganza, a big band sound combined with genuinely personal and sincere performances. I got the word that I was going to the show only about an hour before, so I wasn’t even planning to write anything up, but I must tell you that it was best thing I’ve seen all year—and I don’t exactly go around sprinkling that kind of praise like so much pixie dust. Maybe it was the lack of press, maybe because it was on a Sunday night in St. Paul, or maybe it was the $24 tickets, but it’s a shame that more of you lovely folks couldn’t make it down. However, this Friday you’ll get a second shot—the Honeydogs are playing a benefit show for Hennepin Legal Aid at First Avenue. After last’s night musical fireworks, I would highly recommend it, because you never know who’s going to show up.
The show’s guests were John Munson, Joanna James, Andra Suchy, Laura Bennett from the Mood Swings, Laurie Lindeen, Joe Savage, Noah Levy, and an unannounced surprise appearance by Chan Poling. And Dave Pirner. I can’t say enough good things about Honeydog’s talented frontman Adam Levy, whose charming and often poignant remarks (particularly about the obviously disquieting fact that his 15 year old son wants to go and fight in the war in Iraq) in between songs helped piece together a well-rehearsed and engaging set of old and new Honeydogs songs, as well as covers ranging from Elvis Costello and the Pretenders to Aretha Franklin.
A brief rundown of the highlights (see the set list at the bottom for more detail):
Opening remarks by co-sponsor 89.3 the Current’s Chris Roberts, who pleaded with us to be boisterous as the show was being recorded and the house was only half full.
Adam Levy emerged with Joanna James on violin for “Miriam” and “Miles Away.”
Honeydogs full band with new songs from the wonderfully imagistic 10,000 Years CD (see set list).
This was followed by Laurie Lindeen’s spirited Elvis Costello’s “Girls Talk,” and Laura Bennett’s belted out The Pretenders’ “Tattoed Love Boys.” During the second set, Joanna James nails “Do Right Woman, Do Right Man,” and still seems humble afterwards, darting hurriedly offstage as if she were being chased. And finally, the effervescent Andra Suchy provided fabulous backing vocals on a number of Honeydogs tunes throughout the evening.
The evening’s subplots seemed to be travel horror stories and quirky injuries—John Munson, a man whose left forefinger would normally need no introduction, came frantically breezing in from the airport, quipping, “I’d like to thank Northwest Airlines tonight for my attendance,” as his flight was delayed by more than three hours. Referring to his noticeably slinged up giant freak finger, he said “If you’re going to injure yourself and play a show, try not to have it look so silly.” And the Honeydog’s Brian Halvorson had apparently gotten in a few hours before from Amsterdam, where his flight was delayed an entire day; according to Adam Levy, it was because they found a 500 pound bomb left at the airport by the Germans in WWII.
The most interesting cover performance of the evening was perhaps Mr. Munson’s rendition of the Rolling Stones’ “Wild Horses” accompanied by Chan Poling on grand piano along with the rest of the big band; it was more cabaret and mysterious sounding than the more twangy, country influenced original. I wish, and I really do wish this, that it hadn’t been interrupted by Dave Pirner loping in twice like the Phantom of the Opera to screech out “Wild horseeeeeeeeeees couldn’t drag me awaaaaaaaaaaaaay,” before rushing off at the end of the four lines like he was on the phone with the White House backstage. Pirner also graced us with a bluesy and of course ironic “It’s Raining” as Adam Levy introduced him as a “recent evacuee” from Hurricane Katrina.
The Honeydogs best performance of the evening was quite possibly “Poor Little Sugar” from the 10,000 Years CD, followed by “Truth Serum,” another war-themed number that will be on the forthcoming CD.
Set List
I.
Miriam
Miles Away
Tar Baby Napalm
Ms. Ketchup and the Arsonist
Ms. Anne Thrope
23rd Chromosome
Girl’s Talk
Too Close to the Sun
10,000 Years
Wilson Blvd
Panhandler’s Serenade
The Rake’s Progress
Anygdala
Tattoed Love Boys
Rattling My Tin Cup
II.
Don’t Cut to the Chase
Blues for Castro
Do Right Woman, Do Right Man
Spent
It’s Raining
Tonight I'll Be Staying Here With You (Dylan cover)
Wild Horses
Dead Stars
Test Tube
Heads or Tails
The Firing Squad Reloads
Poor Little Sugar
Truth Serum
Encore
Elan Vital
Location Info:
Fitzgerald Theater
Artist Info: The Honeydogs
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