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Monday, November 12, 2007
When I read that the National would be playing at a downtown Boston bar called Paddy O's (legal capacity: about 230), my first thought was that someone had either A) gotten their info way wrong, or B) thought it was the first of April. After all, the band had just sold out the 1400-capacity Roxy a few weeks earlier, as well as two nights at the 575-capacity Middle East downstairs back in June. But when I realized the news was shared by Sean, who books Paddy O's sister bar, Hennessy's (a place that has started hosting some pretty great shows this year), I quickly realized it was no joke. I'm one of those who only really "got" the National after seeing them live back in June 2005. "Alligator" didn't grab me immediately, but after watching the band rip through 15 songs at a half-full TT the Bears, I was all in. And unlike its predecessor, this year's "Boxer" hit me instantly, securing itself a seat high in my '07 top ten list. But when I learned the band would play two likely-jam-packed shows at the MidEast Down, I balked at seeing the new stuff in that venue... "Boxer" is a more intimate record, and I felt better leaving its songs in my headphones rather than braving the potentially poor sight-lines and sardined conditions of the MED. When the band returned to play the Roxy in early October, better plans, a general distaste for the venue, and another sell-out kept me away from that one, too. Call me crazy, but in my dreams the band would've played the Somerville Theatre or the MFA... that's how I saw the "Boxer" songs brought to life, at someplace involving seats. But I'd completely forgotten how much rock the National brings to even their slower songs, and it wasn't long into their Paddy O's set that I was reminded of that. Powerfully. So, about this Paddy O's gig: Ostensibly, it was to mark the 100th installment of WFNX's morning show, "The Sandbox", but in reality, it was to try and sell a whole lot of Miller beer products. As soon as I walked in, I was surrounded by Miller banners, Miller hawkers, people drinkin' Miller, and embarrassingly, a botched sign promoting the evening's appearance by "The Nationals". Yes, it crossed my mind then that maybe this was all a ruse, and that Cristian Guzman or Nook Logan would be there to tell everyone what time it was (answer: Miller Time!). When I went up to the bar and asked what they had on tap, the bartender semi-laughed at me before responding: "Miller". And that was it. Fortunately, the "Champagne of Beers" is one of my low-budget drinks of choice, so with High Life in hand I eased up near the front to make sure there were instruments up there. Whew, there were, and the drum kit definitely belonged to Bryan Devendorf. Then it hit me: I'm actually going to get to see the f'in National in this place. After a too-long delay during which 'FNX personalities reminded us a few times to drink up the Miller, we were treated to an on-stage appearance by four, and I kid you not, "Miller Girls". Shirts tied in belly-exposing knots, smiles firmly in place, and not a word spoken by them (just the DJs leading them), it had to have been one of the most surreal introductions the National had ever received. Off to the side of the slightly raised performance area, the guys grinned sheepishly, probably not believing what they were seeing, same as many of us. So, so odd. And then, finally, the six guys hit the stage: Singer Matt Berninger, Scott & Bryan Devendorf (bass & drums, respectively), Aaron & Bryce Dessner (guitars), and thankfully this time, Padma Newsome on keys and violin...  The National Live at Paddy O's in Boston, Massachusetts on Friday, October 26th, 2007 01. Start A War 02. Mistaken For Strangers 03. Secret Meeting 04. Brainy 05. Baby, We'll Be Fine 06. Slow Show 07. Squalor Victoria 08. All The Wine 09. Ada 10. Racing Like A Pro 11. Apartment Story 12. Fake Empire 13. Mr. November 14. The Geese of Beverly Road 15. Abel  The band was on fire, the songs intense, the crowd noisily appreciative. Normally I'd be annoyed by such an overly raucous audience (that's the taper in me typing), but it fit just right at this small rock show, and swept me up. I walked outta there thinking it could have been the show of the year, and with distance, a few weeks later it's easily in my top five. Some National links...
 the fine print... If anyone has an issue with these Mp3s being made available, just let me know (my contact info in the 'nac faq). Live sets recorded with a Sony ECM-719 mic and a Sony MZ-RH10 minidisc, converted to .wav and then edited to 192kbps Mp3s. Files are made available for a limited time, and are not reposted once removed. Labels: livemp3s  |
 neil halstead live in cambridge, ma on november 14th, 2008 previously: joy formidable - boston 2011 recent posts on the 'nac...
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