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Tuesday, August 11, 2009
I've had the good fortune of seeing Telekinesis play live a couple times in the six months since the release of their gloriously catchy self-titled debut disc - once here in Boston on the eve of the album's arrival back in late March, and again just two weeks ago down at XX Merge in North Carolina. While the album showcases the songs and multi-instrumental talents of Seattlite Michael Lerner, he's taken a far different approach than most singer/songwriters (who might hit the road with a guitar and a microphone) and brings along a couple guitarists and a bass player to surround him as he handles vocals and drums with ease. And despite being anchored to a drum throne, he provides an energetic focal point for the four-piece, propelling his already-infectious songs along with rock-steady floor tom beats and perfectly-placed cymbals strikes. It really is a joy to watch. The band's March set at Cambridge's Middle East was a too-short, first-of-four opening slot (with Blind Pilot, the Broken West, and Say Hi), and I've been hoping for a proper (i.e. headlining) return to town ever since. Well, the wait might be awhile longer, as a broken hip has sidelined one of Michael's bandmates, and a personal loss kept the other two from joining him at XX Merge. If you're a SCORE! subscriber, you've seen the gorgeous new mini-book that reprints the artwork of every single Merge release from their first 20 years, and you'll find the Telekinesis cover on the very last page. I couldn't imagine there was any way Merge's most-recent signing and anniversary book-end was going to miss the party down in Carrboro. I'd heard whispers of some unfortunate circumstances causing the pre-fest band-scramble, and wondered if we'd actually get a rare Telekinesis solo set this time, until I saw a drum kit and a couple of amps being lined up on stage. So while it appeared we get some kind of last-minute line-up, I certainly didn't expect who walked out on stage - Nada Surf's frontman Matthew Caws on guitar and backing vocals with Ivan Howard of the Rosebuds on bass. And after just one practice, well, the trio simply nailed it. While we patiently wait for audio and visual evidence of that special set to see the light of day, and while the Boston area awaits the live return of Telekinesis, here's my recording of their Spring set (minus the missing opening song), shared with M.L.'s permission. Note that it includes the non-album "One Step Forward", as well as a version of "Calling All Doctors" that differs pretty dramatically from the album recording...  Telekinesis Live at the Middle East Downstairs in Cambridge, MA on Monday, March 30th, 2009 01. All Of A Sudden 02. Imaginary Friend 03. Tokyo 04. Great Lakes 05. Calling All Doctors 06. One Step Forward 07. Coast Of Carolina  Some Telekinesis links...
 the finest of prints... 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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