REVIEWS

From Nanikita:

Can Fiona keep topping herself? A resounding fuckin' YES!  Last night at the Fleet Pavillion, Fiona gave one of the most enthralling shows!

We drove from NY to Boston early afternoon.  Four hours - not bad.  We're back to Boston almost to the day from Fi's last show.  Again, another rainy cold day for Bostonians? It's dropped about 20 degrees from the sunny NY we just left.  Arriving to the white canopied waterfront Pavillion, we meet a group of friends and fans.  Hi girls!  We're all happy with shivering bones. Immediately we decided to go somewhere for a bite.  There's quite a few places to eat right by the water.  We met, chatted, laughed -- all wicked good and comfortable.  It brings to mind a quote I read from long ago: "The more I traveled the more I realized that fear makes strangers of people who should be friends."

David and I got to our seats soon after Melissa Ferrick (from Ipswitch, MA)  began her set.  It's my first listening of her music.  It's  quite good. I'm particularly taken by the way she's pounding her guitar.  It's an acoustic set -- a favorite of mine.  She's feeling her music and sings with a folk-rock belting emotion.  There's nothing better for me than to feel that emotion.  It's energizing and luring.  I really like her.

During set-up for Fiona, we're glued to our seats.  Trying to warm up.  It's much too cold for my miserable linen hooded coat.  It's very windy.  A thunderstorm is almost upon us.  But, just before that here's our musical lightening bolt -- Fiona Apple!  wink.  Fi and the band start playing "On the Bound" to the welcoming shouts.  By the way, Fiona's music gathers an eclectic crowd -- most looking to savor the moving music.  Very cool.  Next song, "To Your Love" - my cathartic song, fuckin' love it.  Thank you Fi.  

After these 2 songs as you know, Fiona steps into midstage and greets the crowd.  She immediately says how she feels almost "like a bad host because of the cold weather."  If she knew it was gonna be this cold, she wouldn't have done it outside.  But she's all smiles and tell us how she was just in Japan and learned a few words.  Like "good evening and are you having a good time?" -- the crowd responds joyfully (no translation there)!  Yeah  Fiona-chan! (an endearing form in Japanese)  She's also apologetic because the setlist will be the same.  But that's okay because they'll do some "improvisations" and see where that goes.  

Well those improvisations were absolutely wonderful!  The songs sounded richer, jazzier, and Fiona's voice ranged like a seasoned, mood-setting chanteuse.  Wow indeed!  In the middle of her set, the heavens opened to a pour.  The heavy sounding rain & ominous sky only made the evening more mystical.  Every song enjoyed a slight variation -- the improvised nuances left me more amazed.  I felt so proud and dearly respectful for Fi's enthralling talent.  She keeps getting better and better.  And that to me is absolutely incredible!  "Limp" and "Sleep to Dream" had punches.  The words became more passionate and hitting with prolonged choruses.  The heart-wrenching yet hopeful "I Know" had an interesting turn tonight.  For the first time in the past 10 shows of this tour, I was taken with some couples (they decided to stand right in front of us) who "love-danced" to this song.  Who knew some people think of this as a romantic, let's-get-it-on song? Hmm... something to think about. wink.  Thinking about "Carrion" --  people-people that song is ripping!  It has become a new live favorite in this TOUR.  It has this added life, edge, and rawness.  Again, I repeat: Can Fiona keep topping herself?! 

Not to take anything away from the performance, the only thing I missed was Fiona's free dancing.  Because of the cold storming weather, she never took off her long blue coat, inner warm top, and scarf.  Who can blame her? (I wanted to borrow her scarf!)  She still looked like a blues-jazzy singer of bygone days.  She danced, just not as much with swaying arms.  I love Fiona's dancing -- a unique combination of modern & retro Fiona-expressionism.  

With "Fast As You Can" everyone was up and most dancing.  How can you not?  Fiona quickly returned for the  encore:  the beautiful "Just One of Those Things" by Cole Porter's band where Fiona's grandfather played.  What a sweet connection and ode.  Next the funky, wicked-ripping "Kissing My Love" -- man do I love that song!  Sing it and dance it.  

Fiona finished with a huge smile and her forward, always sincere, biggest Thank You's.  She said she had "a lot of fun here tonight, and I just don't say that.  THANK YOU!"  She left picking up flowers, presents, and even signing some things right onstage.

All I can say:  No no.  WE Thank You.  It was magical.

|||: Nanikita

From Brendan:

I had gotten tickets to the orpheum show some months back. but something "important" had come up so i wasn't able to make it. i got my fleetpavilion tickets the hour they went on sale. my seats were dead center about ten rows back. i was at the back of section 1, if that means anything to anyone. so i had been planning to surprise a good friend of mine with the tickets but it turned out that she was gonna be in the cape (cape cod) for the week. so i got my best friend to go with me. before i go on i will admit that i am a giant pot head. if anyone saw two guys smoking bones throughout the show then ya saw me!! we dropped two hits of acid before we got in the ca to go. we smoked three joints on the way. by the time i got to the parking lot i was wrecked. not loud and obnoxious mind you; but pleasantly f*&#@ed up. we glided in halfway through the opening act. (Nan what was her name?) well anyhow she was alright but i was getting anxious to see fiona already. finally fiona skips out on stage!! hee hee sometimes she looks like such a little girl. the "variations" they played were definitely super hip. but i HAVE to give PROPS to the drummer matt. that guy friggen rocks. his drum solo was fucking awesome. at one point fiona actually sat down and watched him fucking go. under pains of being boring or repetitive i won't go through
the set list. but i will say that the light show that goes on throughout the show is spectacular! they had some very strong beam shooting down at the piano and it reflected and bounced off the white screen behind her. if i can give out a recommendation go see her show high!! i was glad that most the people i saw there were fucked up. a bunch of guys in front of us were tooting too so that was cool. all in all tripping through a fiona show is pretty damn cool!

Brendan

From Jenn:

Hey!
Sorry I didn't write this sooner, but I have been busy all week. I just wanted to say that this show was unbelievable! I loved the way Fiona changed the way she sang the songs so the audience didn't know what to expect. She looked really cold up there and smoke was coming from her mouth when she was singing. We even learned a little Japanese! Before the show I had the Pleasure of meeting some kick ass Fiona Fans! you guys rule! It is so unbelievable to see such a gathering of Fiona fans in my city! The venue rocked I love outdoor shows. The mixture of Fiona Singing the rain, and the occasional rain showers gave me the chills. I do have to say Fiona looks really confident on stage and she was bending down and taking flowers and stuff from people. Sorry it was so cold Fi!!! but it was so fun! I do have to make a comment on the Lack of Places to get a Fucking coffee! anyone who goes to a show here in the future plan on driving at least a mile to get a coffee. Also Do bring refreshments into the venue unless you want to spend a months pay on a pretzel =). Overall it was an incredible show and just when you think you've seen the best she goes and does better! Hi to everyone I met that night and everyone I met up with! you guys all kick ass!

~*Jenn