Shouldn't we have all of this, and David Byrne?...

Is it much to demand
I want a full house and a rock and roll band
Pens that won't run out of ink
And cool quiet and time to think

Shouldn't I have all of this, and
Passionate kisses
Well, Lucinda had a full house and a great rock and roll band Thursday night at Town Hall in NYC to close out her bi-coastal sets of five complete-album shows. Since Lucinda Williams (self-titled, released in 1988) is Keith's favorite, and since it was the first chronologically of the albums she's covering (she is not doing Ramblin' or Happy Woman Blues), AND since she's doing them in reverse order, we get the last date of the tour. I think that is a GREAT thing because she should pull out all the stops.

The Metro North 3:35pm out of New Haven gets us into Grand Central before 5:30pm, which allows us plenty of time to walk the few blocks west to Tony's DiNapoli, located just a few doors from Town Hall, for dinner. We also have time to briefly check out the Casablanca, the hotel Sharie picked out for overnight, but instead opted to buy a 56" TV (it was cheaper!). Nice digs. Leisurely dinner of grilled shrimp, fetticini with artichokes and chicken saltimbocca shared amongst the foursome. The Reet befriends some guys over at the bar while checking out the Yankees/Indians, while we order some espresso and cappucino to finish off the meal. Johnny Damon homers to lead off the game; life is good. The Reet and I retire to a bar right next to Town Hall to watch the Yanks until showtime while Keith/Sharie go to the M&M's store.

OPPS! It's showtime! Keith comes rushing into the bar to get us because Lucinda has started the show without an opening set from Fionn Regan! We rush to our seats (orchestra right, row J) just as she completes the first cut, I Just Wanted To See You So Bad. Great seats! Lu has her regular guys, Doug Pettibone on guitar, David Sutton on Bass, Butch Norton on drums as well as Chet Lyster on hand for guitars/pedal steel. Before each song, Lucinda gives us some tidbits of background information, then launches into them, but often halts mid-song to change key or whatever. Charming at first ("LU, we love you anyway!" a fan cries adoringly), it becomes annoying after awhile, almost like we are being played a bit. But the songs sound great and the band is tight. Only the closing I Asked For Water (He Gave Me Gasoline) was suspect because Lu can't get the old voice to flutter at certain ranges needed for the song, despite backing help from Susan Marshall, a redheaded Memphis gal who is introduced as a backup singer for Cat Power). Nonetheless, great set! LW promises great fun and guests for the second set. Standing ovation.

Intermission allows us to dash next door only to find the Yanks down 11-3. Damn! In the lobby, I bought the concert CD (to be picked up after the show).

Back in our seats for the second set. Lucinda announces that the chap standing next to her, Fionn Regan from her Lost Highway label, would perform. Oh, ok. He's a "Dylan-esque singer-songwriter" (oh God, isn't EVERYONE?) from Ireland. The audience is bored; he leaves to polite applause after one song. Lucinda and the band wander back on stage and the audience energy level jumps. "I wanna thank this guy for ridin' over here on his bike to help me out tonight - DAVID BYRNE!" Byrne appears, looking very fit and cool, straps on a guitar and launches into Buck Naked (see video clip below). The Talking Heads icon sounds fabulous, the crowd goes wild and Williams is visibly giddy. Keith/Sharie were telling us of these odd-looking dudes, hookers and genderbending peeps hanging out front earlier, one with just butterfly wings on. Well, ladies and gentlemen, please welcome David Johansen! Sharie yells over, "Hey, that's one of those guys!" Not Mr. Butterfly, though. He duets a very cool Jailhouse Tears with LW and the band. Susan Marshall avoids Joplin cliches with her outstanding version of Big Brother & the Holding Company's Little Piece of My Heart and Jim Lauderdale takes time off from thanking Lucinda (endlessly) and does some very tasty alt-country. We are expecting lots of stuff from West, but get very little. No hard sell here, Lu has everyone up and singing along with the encore closer, Talking Heads' Take Me To the River. House lights up, that's it. LOVED IT.

Streak the few blocks to Grand Central and catch the 11:22 to New Haven. Tired. Very Satisfied.

Guests:
Jim Lauderdale
David Byrne of Talking Heads
David Johansen of New York Dolls
Susan Marshall
Fionn Regan

David Byrne/Lucinda Williams "Buck Naked" at Town Hall 10/4/07:

David Johansen/Lucinda Williams "Jailhouse Tears" at Town Hall 10/4/07: