New Video: David Byrne & St. Vincent – “Who”

 The latest installment from David Byrne and St. Vincent's collaborative project comes in the form of the above video for "Who." This isn't surprising. "Who" could expecting anything less from Byrne (wearing a lampshade while writing this?) Stream the full record Love This Giant out 9/11 via NPR here.

Marisa Monte Announces New Album

If you've never heard of Marisa Monte, and tell that to a Brazilian, they will look at you as if you said you had never heard of Madonna. Monte has amassed stellar catalog dating back to 1989 and can easily sell out the Beacon in New York, despite not yet being a household US name. Monte has collaborated with the biggest names in Brazilian music, and of course, Brazil's un-offical US ambassador David Byrne. The facts are staggering: "The “Infinito Ao Meu Redor” worldwide tour... hit 140 shows throughout 50 cities in 15 countries across 4 continents. Monte has sold 9 million albums and won 3 Latin Grammy Awards. She was named the most important living Brazilian singer by Rolling Stone Brazil." Today, in exciting news, Monte announced the release of O Que Você Quer Saber De Verdade (“What You Really Want To Know”) due March 27th on Blue Note Records. All the pertinent info is below (from the press release).

O Que Você Quer Saber De Verdade was produced by Monte with co-producer Dadi and recorded in Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Buenos Aires, Los Angeles and New York. The album features musicians such as the Oscar-winning multi-instrumentalist Gustavo Santaolalla, the Brazilian power trio Nação Zumbi, Argentinean tango group Café de los Maestros, a duet with Rodrigo Amarante of the Brazilian-American super group Little Joy, and a string ensemble performing arrangements by the American maestros Greg Cohen and Miguel Atwood-Ferguson. The album features songs penned by Monte along with long-time musical partners Arnaldo Antunes, Carlinhos Brown and Dadi. Monte also covers some of her favorite artists including Jorge Ben (“Descalço no Parque”) and a version of the classic tango “Lencinho Querido” by Juan de Dios Filiberto and Gabino Coria Penaloza.

Rock and Roll In America: It Just Keeps Getting Funnier

Tim Emmerick - Stark Contributing Writer

I’ve got a joke for you. It’s a real screamer. You ready?

What do David Byrne, Rush and Don Henley all have in common?

Give up?

All of these multi-platinum selling artists have are currently taking legal action against Republican senatorial candidates for stealing their music.

David Byrne is not the picture of a GOP supporter so it came as a bit of a shock last month when friends in Florida asked him why he lent “Road to Nowhere” to governor Charlie Crist for his senatorial campaign. Byrne was never contacted about the song and Crist’s campaign made no attempt to license the 1985 hit.

Byrne has since enlisted the help of copyright lawyer Lawrence Iser to file suit against Crist’s campaign. Iser, it turns out, is the man to call when robbed by an arrogant politician. In 2008, Iser successfully sued then presidential candidate John McCain on behalf of Jackson Browne for using a song repeatedly in a national ad campaign.

"People that I knew had seen [the ad] so it had gotten around,” Byrne recently told the BBC. "It's not about politics, it's about copyright and about the fact that it does imply that I would have licensed it and endorsed him and whatever he stands for."

Iser adds: “I was fairly astonished that this soon after the settlement of Browne v McCain, yet another politician with national aspirations is doing this again.”

READ MORE AFTER THE JUMP

Within weeks of Byrne’s suit, a California judge ordered senatorial candidate Chuck DeVore to suspend use of Don Henley’s hits “Boys of Summer” and “All She Wants To Do Is Dance." DeVore went to the length of rerecording new versions of the tracks to avoid paying Henley for licenses.

Not to be out done by his GOP cohorts, Kentucky candidate Rand Paul also got into a little Winona Rider action. Being the total douchestain, errrr I mean "edgy libertarian" that he is, the new face of the Tea Baggers chose Rush's "Spirit of the Radio" as the backing track for recent events. Paul not only signed off on the illegal use of the track but then also quoted Rush lyrics repeatedly in during a recent appearance. Rush's legal team has also filed a cease and desist order against Paul saying, "this is not a political issue — this is a copyright issue. We would do this no matter who it is." Yeah, right.

Disgustingly, these are just the current cases. Sarah Palin and John McCain were sued repeatedly for stealing music in 2008 with suits from Heart, Foo Fighters, John Mellencamp, Jackson Browne, and Van Halen. Even our liberal darling President Obama got into the act, helping himself to Sam & Dave’s soul classic “Hold On I’m Comin.”

I once found it somehow comforting to say thing like “these politicians are crooks.” Nowadays, though, I find it harder than ever to escape the fact that I am my politicians and they are me. I don’t respect music or musicians, so why would my politicians? If I don't stand up for the artists I love, can I blame politicians for ripping them off? Not without blaming myself first. The music business has been full of questions for the last decade, but maybe best thing we can do is to elect as many thieves as possible, steal as much music as possible and put as many artists out on the streets as we can. Perhaps when Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber, and 60 million YouTubers playing the same O.A.R. cover are the only music we have left we’ll figure out a way to support those who truly enrich our lives?

Video Premiere: David Byrne and Santigold - "Please Don't"

David Byrne and Fatboy Slim's collaborative album, Here Lies Love comes out on April 6 via Todomundo/Nonesuch Records.

David Bryne, Santigold and Fatboy Slim Release New Track

David Bryne, Santigold and Fat Boy Slim -- " Please Don't" (available for website only download and stream."

If you are an avid David Byrne fan, and even if you are not (you should be!) you probably know that he has been in collaboration with Fat Boy Slim, both huddled behind closed doors walking through Byrne's "arboretum" of a brain; the final goal, a new Byrne record titled, Here Lies Love, which releases on Feb. 23 via Todomundo/Nonesuch (according to P4K). Though shedding the Eno/Byrne Everything That Happens-Topspin-model of full album stream, Byrne is staying somewhat true to form, only offering the new track "Please Don't" for download via his website (with email address.) Regardless, with big hitter names such as the one's above, it was a non-issue to generously send our email address into the oblivion of The Internets.

The new track is...interesting to say the least, but respectable none-the-less.

Enjoy! Happy Wednesday.

The Secrets of "Graceland" Revealed

[mp3] Nelcy Sedibe - "Holotelani"

[mp3] Udokotela Shange Namajaha - "Awungilobolele"

Much has been made of, and many have debated the ideas behind what Jon Pareles famously coined as "cultural imperialism" in his Rolling Stone review of David Byrne and Brian Eno's My Life in the Bush of Ghosts. "Does this global village have two way traffic?" Pareles asked. Paul Simon's famous 1986 album Graceland has fallen under the same attacks from many critical circles. Where does musical idea sharing end, and straight up stylistic plagiarism begin? Is there even a line at all? It's a complicated issue, with no real answers. Of course, musicians have lifted ideas and styles from each other from the beginning of time. It happens. Yet, it's wrong for anyone to believe that Paul Simon invented the styles of music at play on Graceland. Conversely, Paul Simon never claimed to have done so. Hm. See? Complicated. See what all this has to do with the above album after the jump.

So, what can we do to combat the idea and practice of "cultural imperialism" if it even exists?The answer, is to simply shine light upon, and promote the artists who helped develop the styles popularized in the West by artists such as Byrne and Simon. To show readers that artists had been playing stylized African-pop long before Graceland came out. Never have the styles embodied on Graceland been so apparent than on this collection called The Indestructible Beat of Soweto. It's an amazing amalgamation of the genres, songs and beats popularized in the 70s and 80s in the Soweto region of Africa. Oh yeah, and it sounds EXACTLY like Graceland. Get it today, before summer's over.  A big thanks to Aquarium Drunkard for posting on this yesterday. 

Artist: David Byrne
Album: Rei Momo (Warner / Luaka Bop)

[MP3]
David Byrne: "Make Believe Mambo"

Not that much attention is often payed to David Byrne's solo output after he left the Talking Heads. With the notable exception to his 2008 album Everything That Happens Will Happen Today, which featured his reunion with long-time Head's producer Brian Eno, most solo albums make only minor splashes in the press. To my knowledge, not many have made any significant waves in the sales world either.

Now that the summer weather and spring months are upon us, it's time to dust off the crown jewel of David Byrne's solo output, 1989's Rei Momo. His first post-Talking Heads record showed the direct contrast between the tense, new-wave synth of the Talking Heads and the world-music loving, melody-driven dance music that was going on inside David Byrne's brain. Rei Momo is a survey of Brazilian and Latin music, featuring some of the best Latin musicians in the world and amazing production by Byrne and Steve Lillywhite. Each track moves with a relaxed, lilting feel, creating tension during extended horn bridges before releasing into spacious hook-laden choruses. Percussion drives each song, with horns up front and guitar and drums pushed down in the mix. The results are intoxicating.

On Rei Momo, Byrne employs age-old songwriting tactics to great success, utilizing minor-to-major key changes, tension and release, and dark-to-light color shifts. His lyrics are predictably out-there and bizarre in all the best ways. I could give you a track-by-track break-down here, but I'll spare you the long analysis. Let me just say this, whenever you host a BBQ, go to the beach, walk around in the warm weather, or just sit on your roof reading the paper - put this album on. It's been a part of my spring and summer since I was born, and hopefully it can be part of yours. Buy it today.

Lots of Music Coverage in Today's NYT

Photo by Kyle Dean Reinford for BV

This weekend held a full plate of music in NYC, and today the New York Times offers up its views on the boomer rock, indie rock, and post-boomer/indie rock that took place in the city. Also included is a non-committal, but good review of the new Neko Case record.

A great, if not cryptic review of Grizzly Bear and Final Fantasy with Nico Muhley and the Brooklyn Philharmonic at BAM by Nate Chinen. NYT Review HERE. Additional coverage at Brooklyn Vegan.

A surprisingly bad review of David Byrne at Radio City by Jon Pareles. By all first-hand accounts we heard, it was amazing. Hmm. NYT review HERE.

A not surprisingly bad review of Van Morrison's Astral Weeks revival at MSG Theater by John Caramanica. NYT Review HERE.

Neko Case & Bela Fleck album reviews by Jon Pareles and Nate Chinen HERE.

BONUS: A strange graph of the "Top Three Albums of 2009" (sans Animal Collective.) HERE.

Tuesday's Recommended Releases with MP3s

David Byrne, Dirty Projectors "Knotty Pine" mp3

This week the stores (digital and physical) are jammed with quality releases. The indie-rock explosion that is the Dark Was the Night charity record is definitely up there for us this week. While it is at times uneven, there are definitely more than a few gems in here; not to mention the album is for charity so you can certainly shell out a few of your precious dollars for this. Alela Diane's record that we've been running our mouths about is out physically today, as well as Benjy Ferree's (anyone on shrooms? Bennnnjyy!) latest which is excellent. Click HERE for mp3s from both records. For all of our other recommendations and mp3s click after the jump...




We're pretty neutral on the M.Ward - it's ok, but his time in the sun may be over (for me at least). She and Him may have been that fateful jump over the shark.
M.Ward "Never Had No One Like You" mp3

While we haven't heard the N.A.S.A. record yet, I'm certainly intrigued by its massive list of contributors including: Tom Waits, David Byrne, M.I.A, Santi and pretty much everyone else in the world. NASA - "Spacious Thoughts (feat. Tom Waits & Kool Keith)" mp3

Also of stellar caliber this week is the new Vetiver - which Vince raved about earlier.
Vetiver "Everyday" mp3

We hate to do the general list - but there is only so much time in the day and so much music - sooooo we ALSO recommend: The amazing debut from Emmy the Great (digi only), William Eliot Whitmore's latest, the new Robyn Hitchcock, Faunts, Fol Chen, and DEFINITELY Iran. Thanks to Largehearted Boy you can try everything before you buy.

And my personal blast from the past recommendation for the week is, well, fuck it: Linda Ronstadt's Heart Like a Wheel. With the Eagles as her backing band, this record is a gem of early 70s country rock. Thanks Caitlin, sorry Dad.

Don Dree Don Day Don Don

Brazilian artist Marcio Local makes party music. It's impossible not to have a good time at one of his shows, or listening to his new record Don Dree Don Day Don Don: Adventures in Samba Soul. Marcio cultivates the most feel-good aspects of samba and soul music and mixes them with African inspired funk and rock. What results is an international hodgepodge filled with blaring horns and percussion, all swirling around Marcio's driving baritone vocals. David Byrne's amazing Luaka Bop label signed Local after hearing his music through Mario Caldato, who produced Local's record, but has also worked with the Beastie Boys. Don Dree Don Day Don Don: Adventures in Samba Soul comes out May 12th.

Click after the jump for more from Marcio Local including a live session at the tripwire...




Stark had the fantastic opportunity to attend Marcio's first NY show at Zebulon in Brooklyn, which also happened to be his second show in the US ever. Coming on somewhere around midnight, Marcio and his band turned Zebulon into an (unexpected) dance party. As frequent concert go-ers, we were incredulous as to how the Brooklyn crowd would react to his music. In a conversation earlier, Marcio commented through his fantastic translator Jessica, about his perception of American crowds. "The fans in Brazil are used to this style of music, this is normal for Brazilians. I feel the Americans will be more surprised by the music we make. Because they are not used to the music [I think] they will be more uptight. People here pay more attention."

Yet, luckily for everyone, the Zebulon crowd did well for themselves and embraced the energy and joy that Marcio and his band put into every song. While the record focuses more on traditional song structures, Local's live show operates more loosely, jamming when necessary and extending various solo sections. This succeeded in giving Zebulon more a party atmosphere, rather than a typical stand around, shut-up and listen type of show. It was perfect. Local brought full doses of happiness and raw passion - two attributes found rarely in live music around Brooklyn these days. The show and interview were truly refreshing and a genuine pleasure.

When asked about the common threads or themes that hold his music together, Marcio Local summed it up simply and perfectly: "Music is what I live and feel - that is what ties my music together. I take pleasure in living things and sharing them with others. [My music] is very simple and true and that's what makes all the difference."

Phish Fans Are Stoked, Rest Of The World Is Like, "Whatever"

Well, it's been the worst kept secret in the music world for several months, but America's favorite reunited hippies (read: Phish) are headlining two nights of the eighth annual Bonnaroo festival. (Which, you know, is completely neccessary.) The Boss is joining them, hoping to emulate his crotch-tastic Superbowl performance from Sunday, as are the Beasties, David Byrne, Wilco, Nine Inch Nails, Al Green, SNOOP DOGG, Elvis Costello, Animal Collective, MGMT, Bon Iver and a billion others. You have to give the organizers credit: minus the whole Phish thing, the lineup looks pretty okay. 

We'll be trying our hardest to make it down to Manchester this year, after last year's soiree left us awed and hung over. Tickets go on sale exclusively through the festival's official Web site on Saturday (2/7) at noon. Check out a video of the announcement featuring something called "stratostencil animation" (whatever that is) after the jump. Not as good as Lewis Black, unfortunately.  

Dark was the Night - Charity Compilation - 2/17

Even though the blogosphere has been alight for the past several weeks regarding this blockbuster compilation, enough can't be said about how all-around great it is. I'm sure there will be much debate over the "greatness" of all the artists, but you can't expect names like Wavves to sell this record. At least not yet. (No hate to Wavves here.)

We've been able to peruse about 3/4ths of it since it arrived yesterday, and what we've heard so far has been excellent. Not only does the tracklist feature a veritable who's-who of major indie rock artists of the past decade, but all of the proceeds of Dark was the Night go to the Red Hot Organization. This is the 20th Red Hot release, and the 20th anniversary of the Red Hot Organization. The organization is an international charity dedicated to raising money and awareness for HIV and AIDS through popular culture.

Much more info and an mp3 after the jump.

Dirty Projectors and David Byrne "Knotty Pine"

The first disc of the two features darker more haunting versions of folk themed songs (some covers and originals). Highlights here include Antony's cover of Dylan's I Was Young When I Left Home, the reworked Grizzly Bear track Deep Blue Sea and the Dirty Projectors/David Byrne collaboration Knotty Pine (mp3 above).

The second disc brings forth a brighter collection of tracks, the "morning" to the first disc's "night" if you will. Personal favorites so far are the My Morning Jacket track El Caporal and the Sharon Jones cover of Shuggie Otis' Inspiration Information.

BUY this record February 17th via 4AD. Remember, charity people, don't be a torrenting asshole. Lots of great listening here. Tracks from the comp have been streaming for awhile HERE.

THIS DISC

1 Knotty Pine - Dirty Projectors + David Byrne http://www.4ad.com/audio/darkwasthenight/knottypine.mp3

2 Cello Song (Nick Drake) - The Books featuring Jose Gonzalez

3 Train Song (Vashti Bunyan recorded, written by Alasdair Clayre) - Feist Ben Gibbard

4 Brackett, WI - Bon Iver

5 Deep Blue Sea - Grizzly Bear

6 So Far Around the Bend - The National (arrangement by Nico Muhly)

7 Tightrope - Yeasayer

8 Feeling Good (popularized by Nina Simone) - My Brightest Diamond

9 Dark Was the Night (Blind Willie Johnson) - Kronos Quartet

10 I Was Young When I Left Home (Bob Dylan) - Antony Bryce Dessner

11 Big Red Machine - Justin Vernon Aaron Dessner

12 Sleepless - The Decemberists

13 Stolen Houses (Die) - Iron and Wine

14 Service Bell - Grizzly Bear Feist

15 You Are The Blood - Sufjan Stevens



THAT DISC

1 Well-Alright - Spoon

2 Lenin - Arcade Fire

3 Mimizan - Beirut

4 El Caporal - My Morning Jacket

5 Inspiration Information (Shuggie Otis) - Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings

6 With A Girl Like You (The Troggs) - Dave Sitek

7 Blood Pt 2 (based on original song "You are the Blood" by the Castanets) - Buck 65
Remix (featuring Sufjan Stevens and Serengeti)

8 Hey, Snow White (Destroyer) - The New Pornographers

9 Gentle Hour (Snapper) - Yo La Tengo

10 Another Saturday (traditional song) - Stuart Murdoch

11 Happiness - Riceboy Sleeps

12 Amazing Grace (traditional song) - Cat Power and Dirty Delta Blues

13 The Giant Of Illinois (Handsome Family) - Andrew Bird

14 Lua - Conor Oberst Gillian Welch

15 When the Road Runs Out - Blonde Redhead Devastations

16 Love vs. Porn - Kevin Drew

CMJ Watch II: Luaka Bop Showcase

So for the first time since 1994, David Byrne's Luaka Bop label will hold a fall showcase in NY during CMJ. The occasion? Luaka's release of a creative new 3-inch series featuring three new (to us at least) artists named Yonlu, Marcio Local and Terror Pigeon Dance Revolt. From what we've heard HERE, every artist is worth checking out. The Luaka Bop showcase happens Friday, October 24 from 5-7 at Santos Party House. Terror Pigeon Dance Revolt will be playing and DJ Justin Carter will spin selections from the 3-inch records as well as Luaka Bop's amazing catalog. Definitely put this on your calendar. See below for descriptions of each artist from the Luaka press release. All 3" records are available now...

"THE TERROR PIGEON DANCE REVOLT
The Terror Pigeon Dance Revolt is a never- ending romp of a dance party; looped pianos and saxes race on top of crappy synths and ill beats, and like twenty vocal takes (seriously, like totally rivaling Broken Social Scene status) are mixed in there somewhere.

YONLU
Yonlu revealed just a fraction of his talent for experimentalism and a capacity to create delicate melancholy melodies before taking his own life at age 16, leaving behind works that are something between Badly Drawn Boy, Tortoise and Nick Drake.

MARCIO LOCAL
Marcio Local is a sexy samba beast and he has the hairy chest to prove it. His soulful style recalls Jorge Ben and his band is fully outfitted to rock with drums, guitar, bass, sax, trombone, trumpet and loads of percussion. The album was produced by Mario Caldato of Beastie Boys fame. "

Tom Waits, M.I.A, Karen O, Kanye, Byrne, Santogold & More, To Guest on New N.A.S.A Record - Spirit of Apollo

Yeah - you read that right. Pretty insane. Due to time constraints (a.k.a our real job) we're just going to crib from the press release below. Certainly something to keep your eye out for in '09. Actually - it will probably be pretty hard for you to miss this one. Tracklist after the jump.

N.A.S.A. (North America/South America), and their worldwide debut The Spirit of Apollo is set to be released on Anti- on February 17. 2009. N.A.S.A is an ongoing creative collaboration between two lifelong music aficionados, Squeak E. Clean ad DJ Zegon, and their friends, friends of friends and musical heroes.

While N.A.S.A. stands for North America/South America and contains a number of superstar artists from both coasts of the US, it is about as far from a tension-building geographical showdown as a record can get. Rather, The Spirit of Apollo was born with the righteous goal of bringing people together through music and art, and that is exactly what masterminds Squeak E, Clean and DJ Zegon have done.

Unexpected collaborations abound on the eighteen track release. Tom Waits growls over Kool Keith, Karen O taunts while Ol' Dirty Bastard gives shout-outs to Wu Tang and N.A.S.A from the grave, and David Byrne, Chuck D and others expound on the evils of "Money." In spite of the range of performers, the pairings seem organic, inspired and make perfect sense on the first listen, never coming off as ironic or impulsive.

N.A.S.A. The Spirit of Apollo tracklist:

1. "Intro"
2. "The People Tree" (feat. David Byrne, Chali 2na, Gift of Gab,& Z-Trip)
3. "Money" (feat. David Byrne, Chuck D, Ras Congo, Seu Jorge, & Z-Trip)
4. "NASA Music" (feat. Method Man, E-40, & DJ Swamp)
5. "Way Down" (feat. RZA, Barbie Hatch, & John Frusciante)
6. "Hip Hop" (feat. KRS-One, Fatlip, & Slim Kid Tre)
7. "Four Rooms, Earth View"
8. "Strange Enough" (feat. Karen O, Ol' Dirty Bastard, & Fatlip)
9. "Spacious Thoughts" (feat. Tom Waits & Kool Keith)
10. "Gifted" (feat. Kanye West and others TBD)
11. "A Volta" (feat. Sizzla, Amanda Blank, & Lovefoxxx)
12. "There's a Party" (feat. George Clinton & Chali 2na)
13. "Whachadoin?" (feat. Spank Rock, M.I.A., Santogold & Nick Zinner)
14. "O Pato" (feat. Kool Kojak & DJ Bãboa)
15. "Samba Soul" (feat. Del Tha Funkee Homosapien & DJ Qbert)
16. "The Mayor" (feat. The Cool Kids, Ghostface Killah, DJ AM & Scarface)
17. "N.A.S.A. Anthem"

Will Audiences Say Yes Again?

(Photo credit - http://classicrock.about.com/od/artistsoz/ig/yes)

Honestly? Wow.

Baby Boomers rejoice, as now you and your children get to experience the power of 1960s psychedelia together! Yes is taking to the road, but with a new lead singer who they recruited via the Internet. (Also the preferred method of similar yesteryear acts Journey and Boston.) It also seems a reoccurring trend is revealing itself these days: retire for about 10-20 years, then make a triumphant resurgence back on the popular-music touring circuit. Who has done it recently? Count The Rolling Stones, David Byrne and The Police among many. Tickets for Yes' Hammerstein Ballroom show go on sale this Saturday.
Fist pump to BV for this one.

More from BV on the Yes tour after the jump.

"...the classic YES line-up of guitarist Steve Howe, bassist Chris Squire and drummer Alan White will launch the "In The Present" tour starting November 4th in Hamilton, Ontario, marking yet another chapter in the art-rockers' amazing, 40-year career of legendary live performances. The three will be joined by keyboardist Oliver Wakeman, the son of YES' Rick Wakeman, and vocalist Benoit David, a Montreal, Quebec, native and vocalist in several YES tribute groups, who was discovered by the band on the Internet...."

David Byrne: Same As He Ever Was

DAVID BYRNE

ZOELLNER ARTS CENTER | BAKER HALL

Bethlehem, PENNSYLVANIA

9.16.08

by VINCE AMOROSO

Photo credit - Pops Amoroso
It was a Tuesday night at the Zoellner Arts Center and one of the most ingenious and seminal new wave and world music innovators of the 70s to present was in town, opening a three-month tour. David Byrne, co-founder of the Talking Heads, songwriter, performer, published author, filmmaker, and actor, catered to nostalgia that evening, proving the art of live performance only matures with time.

Touring behind his recently self-released, Everything that Happens Will Happen Today (Aug.18, 2008,) Byrne found himself once again collaborating with longtime friend and producer Brian Eno on this album. Since the Talking Heads’ inception in 1976, Byrne and Eno joined forces on over seven different albums, including their latest.

Billed as, "The Songs of David Byrne and Brian Eno", audience members were timid about the show to come. The crowd of 50-somethings – mostly parents – eagerly awaited what they hoped would be an atavistic Byrne performance.

From the stage set up alone, it was evident that the old Byrne – the Byrne circa Stop Making Sense (1984) – may reveal himself. Situated stage left were three back-up vocal mics and a percussion unit equipped with congas, bongos, maracas, bells and chimes. Stage right consisted of a keyboard with laptop accessory, bass guitar and full drum set. Byrne, of course, took center stage...
More after the jump...

The sold out Zoellner Center prepared for the fantastic sensory onslaught to come.

With a few words from Zoellner Managing Director, Elizabeth Scofield and a dimming of the lights, Byrne sheepishly took the stage.

The performers, dressed in matching white attire, watched Byrne as he slowly fumbled with his guitar effects and addressed the crowd in an uncharacteristically awkward and reserved manner. Byrne seemed nervous as if he was asking himself if this tour, this performance, this new album, was going to work.

Opening with “Strange Overtones” from Everything that Will Happen, Byrne was clearly testing the waters making sure he still had his timing and signature dance moves (he did.) If there was any question about where the concert was going after the opener, they were quickly answered as Byrne & Co. romped into the Talking Heads classic “I Zimbra.” The show was clearly working.

Three dancers accompanied the band on stage engaging in a tightly choreographed avant-garde dance routine seemingly improvised, yet synchronized at the same time. The stage was aglow with orange and yellow lights projected upon a silkscreen backdrop, illuminating the performers as “I Zimbra” rollicked along. At this moment, it was clear that Byrne had locked into his highly refined, live concert genius.

The show continued with another new tune, “One Fine Day” and a more obscure track “Help Me Find Somebody” from My Life in the Bush of Ghosts. Oddly following the latter song, was a period of anticipation as an unprovoked tension began to mount amongst the crowd.

A period of silence followed, save for a few mistimed hollers from anxious audience members, as Byrne prepared the band and counted off, as he would consistently do throughout the concert. Dancers entered stage right parading around Byrne as he ripped into “Houses in Motion.” The luminous landscape of colors changed to mirror the song’s mood all while the performers shifted through one another. The crowd rose to its feet, serving as an anomalous song five standing ovation – one of four that would occur that evening.

The show provided an even mix of both the old and the new. Byrne did well to balance the set, pushing his new album, while pleasing those there for Talking Heads gems. “My Big Nurse,” “Home,” “The River,” “Life is Long” and “I Feel My Stuff” comprised the new album portion of the performance. Fan favorites, “My Big Hands (Fall Through the Cracks,)” “Heaven,” Crosseyed and Painless” (second standing ovation) “Once in a Lifetime” (third standing ovation) and “Life During Wartime” were more than well received.

Byrne always had another gear which resonated with his audience – reciprocation of energy drove the concert, getting fans out of their seats and into the aisles, singing lyrics and dancing.

For an evening that most didn’t want to end, Byrne did his best to prolong the show, treating the audience to two separate encore sets – the first included “Take Me to the River” and “The Great Curve” both of which were equipped with crowd sing-alongs. Choosing to end the concert with the title track “Everything that Happens Will Happen Today,” off his newest album, was no surprise to most – it was only fitting. Here, Byrne received his fourth and final standing ovation.

Byrne almost had fans forgetting why he was on tour: to push his new album. Spanning across generations, this is as close as most will ever come to seeing a Talking Heads show. Byrne proved he still has it, never lost it, and is the same as he ever was.

David Byrne Live from Bethlehem, PA - Set List

All in all a fantastic evening with David Byrne... much more to come from the show tomorrow, but we wanted to leave you with the set list from this, the first night of the "David Byrne Plays the Songs of David Byrne and Brian Eno" tour. The set came complete with classically trained dancers, back-up singers and a full band decked out in white. Well, the man's still got it.
Stream the album below and set list below that...



David Byrne @ Zoellner Center (Lehigh University) Bethlehem, PA Set List - 9/16/2008

1. *Strange Overtones
2. I Zimbra
3. *One Fine Day
4. Help Me Somebody
5. Houses in Motion
6. *My Big Nurse
7. My Big Hands (Fall Through the Cracks)
8. Heaven
9. *Home
10. *The River
11. Crosseyed & Painless
12. *Life is Long
13. Once in a Lifetime
14. Life During Wartime
15. *I Feel My Stuff
(encore)
16. Take Me to the River
17. The Great Curve
(encore)
18. *Everything that Happens Will Happen Today

*Denotes tune from new album, Everything that Happens Will Happen Today