From the desk of:

Andrew Bird Comparison Circus

Sooooo…. that Andrew Bird concert the other night was the kickoff to one of the most enjoyable nights I’ve had in a long time.  Bird recorded his latest CD in Minneapolis and throughout the show made many references to how much he loves it here and how he considers it one of his “hometown” crowds.  With band members Dosh and Jeremy Ylvisaker both hailing from this region — it was certainly a hometown crowd show.

I mentioned his continued evolution last week.  This show was no exception.  Since the last time I saw Andrew he has added a bass player and the addition of a third microphone under his direction that he is using to loop whistling/handclaps.  It added an even thicker percussive background then what dosh is consistently laying down.   He has also added some sort of new amplifier that (besides being beautiful) adds this very lush and interesting sound to his violin.  It’s like a giant rotating gramaphone.

The highpoint of the show was a solo version of Why?  This song is probably the biggest example of  Birds metamorphisis over the years.  Bird has been playing this song live forever — but it was first released on 2001s The Swimming Hour.  I could go on and on about how this has changed over the years, but lets make it simple.  Listen.  Learn.  Love.

Andrew Bird – Why – Live in January 1998
Andrew Bird – Why – Live in December 2003
Andrew Bird – Why – Live in May 2007