ticket from Sherry

NEW ORLEANS, LA -
 APR 09.00

Set list:

 1. On the Bound
 2. To Your Love
 3. Criminal
 4. Limp
 5. Sullen Girl
 6. Paper Bag
 7. Get Gone
 8. Love Ridden
 9. Sleep To Dream
10. Carrion
11. The Way Things Are
12. I Know
13. A Mistake
14. Fast As You Can

Encore

15. Just One of Those Things (written by Cole Porter)
16. Kissing My Love (written by Bill Withers)

 

 

REVIEWS

 

From Derrick:

Just a warning first...not everyone may enjoy reading this review...but it IS a review in the true sense.  Just not what everyone may be expecting. I have to start out by saying that the employees/staff at the House of Blues in New Orleans are the biggest bunch of a-holes I've ever seen in one place in my life!  To say the security was "tight" is a severe *understatement*. There must have been 20 or more roving spies with headsets monitoring everyone in the audience at all times...to check things like smoking (she didn't allow this), recording, pictures, etc.  I know several people even got their cameras taken from them.  I felt if I just breathed the wrong way they would tell me to leave it was so ridiculous.  I have no clue when Fiona arrived...but I was there at 3:00pm, and was told she was already in the building.  I also missed her when it was over, because they seemed to have snuck her out some other door, and all 30-40 fans who had been waiting over an hour outside to see her were VERY disappointed.  I just don't get it.  I hope this wasn't her choice, but I have to think it may have been...and if not, then thanks to the great ole House Of Blues once again for screwing things up.  The Eels opened for her...and actually it was just one member of the band doing an acoustic set.  I don't really want to get into it much, but I'll just say if someone had given me a guitar, I could have done a better job than that guy did.  And I've never really played guitar in my life.  He could play, sure, but it was his overall stage presence, things he said, that really messed the whole thing up.  Fiona would have been better off not having anyone open for her in this case.  Her show itself was fair to good.  I'd rate it maybe 6-7 out of 10.  I've seen MUCH better from her on TV though...like Sessions.  Her voice cracked alot, she tried hitting notes she obviously couldn't, and I didn't really think she was that prepared for the show....after being off 2 weeks.  The band sounded ok I guess...but they even admitted to having not practiced since the last show they did, 2 weeks before.  So I guess everyone was a bit rusty.  Fiona was very energized...she admitted to drinking an espresso before the show, so maybe that's why.  I wish she had talked a little more to the fans as well. She did very little...but maybe that's just how she is.  She played 16 songs...most all of her new CD, and about 4 off her first one...all the singles of course.  And the 2 for the encore she had been doing before. Pretty much the same set I had seen posted in the past on this tour.  It lasted about an hour, maybe just over.  I didn't hate the concert itself, and I don't hate Fiona, but I think the House of Blues could have been quite a bit more civil about some things, and not freaked out at every little thing.  I really think everyone employed there has a major attitude problem. If I weren't such an easy-going person, 2 or 3 fights would have broken out. I had friends who I KNOW wouldn't have put up with their antics.  It was just totally ridiculous.  I really hope she never plays there again...I know I'm not ever going back.  It's funny that's it's even called the House of Blues, since I really thought Blues was supposed to mean easy-going, laid
back "cool".  Not in their case.  They did everything in their power to make that place the complete opposite of what blues is all about.  It should be called the House of Insanity, that's what it IS!!! So I don't know of one fan who got to actually talk with Fiona, either before or after the show. No photos were taken, no autographs were signed. What fun....NOT.  I hope others don't experience this when they see her in future appearances.  It had to be one of the worst concerts I've ever been to...maybe in the bottom 3.  Not because it was Fiona's fault, but just from the venue itself, and the staff.  I know Fiona didn't have control over alot of it.  And I tend to think her being whisked away so quick was also the club's doing.  So, in a nutshell...I HATE New Orleans House of Blues!  And everyone employed their are A-holes!!!

"A disappointed Fiona fan"

 

From Sherry:

The New Orleans show was great all except for the House of Blues itself. As another fan pointed out, security was very tight and everyone was being watched. I was one of the people taken outside for using a camera. (and may i add, the flash was not even on so i wouldn't annoy anyone else) The woman hauled me outside like i was doing something illegal. All i wanted was a few pictures of Fiona for my scrapbook but the film is now in the House of Blues trash can. That was a bit disappointing, but hopefully the House of Blues treated Fiona and the band better than they treated the audience! I would hate for the them to never perform in Louisiana again because of being treated badly. This was the first time i had ever seen Fiona in concert and I thought the show itself was great! She was even better to hear in person. She seemed incredibly sweet when she talked with the audience and it really looked like she was having a good time performing. She and the band would often exchange smiles throughout the performance and I thought that was great to see. Lots of times performers will not even give their bands the time of day while they are singing. Fiona however looked as though she and the band were friends both on and off the stage. During the tune "I'll Know" there was a rumble of conversation going through the crowd when suddenly everyone else starting trying to get them to shut up. After the song, Fiona expressed how cool she thought it was that the "good people" where trying to get the "a-holes" to be quiet. Fiona is an incredibly talented lyricist, singer, and performer and she is even more incredible in person. Hopefully she will perform in Louisiana again, but this time, not in the House of Blues! - Sherry 

ArceSL1@nich-academic.nich.edu

 

From Daniel:

The Big Apple Meets The Big Easy Part II

Because of the "Great Migration" the richly historic New Orleans was left with a museum of Traditional Jazz Street Performers, and in later generations, some really phenomenal young musicians. For some reason, a lot of the phenomenal and progressive young musicians seem to always make their way out of the Big Easy. There has been this weird element of commercial abandonment among many of the different Art forms in this city among my mere 20 years of existence here. Some may think this a good thing, and the only way for the arts to survive (purely). But if anything commercial is involved with the arts, forget it. There's not a very large Mainstream here. There's not a very large Aux.-stream either. We have venues! Very historic theatre's, and other potential buildings, etc…We just have NO support. So, as a result, we have to see some of the most talented artists in the world at places like House of Blues. I'm still tempted to believe "dem Yankees" still don't like us down here, or that we're exactly what Langston Hughes so eloquently described as the "Lazy South". 

I'm sure any detailed review I give will only be to a lower or higher degree, slightly varied, more spontaneous, more monotonous, more or less of what you've all experienced in other cities. Here are the facts: People were loud, and the sound sucked like you wouldn't believe. Two of the baritone 
Rice Krispees, Snap and Pop, decided to sing along with Fiona on "I Know". Both she and I absolutely ADORED this (mainly because they got to sit it on one of the most intense moments of the concert). E from the Eels was miserable, and needed a hug, though he came across as somewhat patronizing about his problems and managed to detach himself from his audience. The House of Blues, French Quarter, (the French Quarter in general) is a disgusting tourist trap, and I was standing behind two oblivious, drunken idiots. BUT I was really stoned and managed to survive. I didn't go expecting anything. I was hoping for something rather human and natural to take place to kind of loosen up the emotional, ever-tense, and highly expectant fans. I forgot which tune, but she came in with the wrong verse. I couldn't prove it, but I swear that was somewhat of a late-term icebreaker. To start off my pseudo-review, I truly thought the concert might only be a physical and emotional projection of her studio work. As great as her own songs were, it was really fresh to experience the "introduction of the band". I was surprised (whatever that means). It was somewhat of a Latin, Game Show jingle, and really managed to add a dimension to her performance, for me. I suppose, if I had to really RAVE about any part of the show, it would be her encore. Without a doubt, her casually bouncing onto the stage to the lazy, giddy, and swingin' sounds of Cole Porter's "Just One of Those Things" was one of the most confusing and surreal things I've ever witnessed. At that point, a lot of the stress and seriousness went smashing through the ceiling, and she became the unmistakable Fiona Apple. If she would have tried to imitate "Satchmo", I would have definitely went into a state of laughing comatose, I was already close as it was. [Side note: Now, I know I'm not the only one in the world that screamed out fantasies of possibly hearing Fiona perform Jazz standards. Maybe I was the only one that dreamed about hearing her sing "Lover Man" a la' Billie Holiday fashion, or hearing a surprise performance of "Love Me, Or Leave Me", Nina Simone's rendition. I don't want to sound like I'm taking away from her unique, artistic expression. Anyone that has heard her, oh, so jazzy ballads, "Slow Like 
Honey" and "I Know", would agree that she's strongly influenced already. I've read some other reviews, and see that many peeps are aware of this. I just want to POUR out love, encouragement, and praise for what she did with the Cole Porter tune. I hope she's totally comfortable with experimenting with that influence (if she even gives a f*ck*), and knows that lots of her fans dig that quirky shiznit! I do think it's admirable and gutsy to tread around in the whole "Jazz World". Especially in the face of critics that can complain about work ethic (Roseland) in the arts and enjoy frontin' her somewhat brainstormish way of communicating. I guess it's not gutsy if you know that most of the critics are idiots.] Do I have to even say anything about "Kissing My Love"? Girlfriend needs to just do the world a favor, and record a tribute to the classic R & B artists. Her encore was almost painfully delightful. Of course she has to pull out this delicious craziness as she's walking off the stage! Anyway, it left everyone excited and fulfilled. 

I read a few negative reviews about Fiona's reaction at Roseland, I even read her delicate and rational analysis/apology, but if there is anything Fiona Apple has done in her past that could really relate her fans to her and her Art, it was this. What a beautiful slap in the face to all of the egotistical, maniacal Club Mafioso's in Manhattan. Also, I think E made himself quite useful with a significant statement to the parasitical crew of House of Blues that went along with this form of personal and universal protest. Fiona, enjoy the rest of your tour in the Dirty South. Peace!

worldtrane@aol.com

 

From Sean:

Fiona, if you read these reviews, let me just say one thing directly to you. If you have a say in the matter, don't ever play the House of Blues in New Orleans again. Please. For the fans sake. Those morons that run the place have ruined both of your shows that I have seen there. This time was really bad. Just read the other review for all the details, I don't even want to get into it. Just play another venue in New Orleans next time, if you can. 

Although the House of Blues did their best to ruin the evening, it was still Fiona, and she is still incredible. She apologized for the two weeks off, but the music was still great. There was only one person between me and the stage and I was on the left side so she was right there. It's amazing to see her that close. I don't think she had any make-up on, and she doesn't need any. She's at the top of my "Famous People I'd Like to Meet List". Unfortunately, the House of Blues made that impossible. (OK, so I will go into it). You won't see any happy pictures of fans with a smiling Fiona. There was no opportunity to take any. So, I have to look at reviews of other show to see lucky fans having a good time with Ms. Apple. Not even an autograph was to be had. And while the House of Blues was busy being Nazi's, they couldn't keep the idiot fans from talking and laughing during her most intimate moments. At one point she actually backed away from the mic at the beginning of a quiet song and said "Shut up" to herself. She did make those of us that were actually there to she a show feel good after this tune though. She said that maybe on here next CD she could put a background track of people talking and laughing during the songs, and she thanked those of us that were tuned in. She was also throwing out little gifts to the audience, and that was fun. 

Fiona, you are a gorgeous, gifted, soulful artist, and we love you. Your music speaks directly to our hearts. Your first CD was incredible, and the second is mind-blowing in it's maturity and passion. The amount of growth from one to the next was amazing. Keep doing exactly what you do. I'll just have to go to another City to see you next time, because I, and everyone that went to the show with me, will never go the House of Blues again.

Thanks for a great show. I only wish I could travel to all of your shows. But I'll have to just read these reviews instead. Take care. 

Sean

 

From Jessica:

Getting TO the theatre was a pain in the ass. We were planning on going to eat at House of Blues before the concert because if you eat there they let you in the dinner line and let you in before every one else. We had to turn around to go back because my traveling companion forgot something , then there was mix up with the tickets and we had to go back to the car and it was just a big mess, but I digress.

    Since this is the second leg of the tour, we didn't get to see Jurassic 5.......We had the Eels.........or the Eel as it turned out. They started late. 9 o'clock came and went and no one was onstage.......Finally a small man in a baseball cap comes out and starts playing a really funny songs about liking birds. No one was really paying attention to him though because every one was edgy because of the show starting late and everyone was talking trying to figure out who the hell he was.......Eels would denote something plural, but there was only one man on stage. Fiona later explained that there was a problem with the record company and only he could go on tour. He was kinda of strange and said that if we were bad he was going tell Ms. Apple.....and he also said that if we kept being bad he was going to tell his tour manager to go get his gun from the bus. He went out there and basically told us that we were going to hate him anyway.......finally he left.

    I was a few rows back in the stand room only HoB. Then some fat asshole came and placed himself right directly in front of me. I don't know if he was security or not.....he didn't dance or move the whole time. People in general were rude that night. They'd pretend like they were pushing to the front to find their friends then stand right in front of you and a lot of people talked through the whole performance. And there were a lot of off key people trying to sing along with her. I didn't pay 37.50 to listen to them. There were also a lot of people pissed because Fiona didn't want anyone to smoke in the building, which is understandable, but they were making rude comments .........calling her a diva and a heroin addict. I wondered why they were even there if they were talking like that...

    Anyways, finally Fiona came out. The set list was the same as usually........I was disappointed at the lack of "Love Ridden".......She didn't do it at all. Her voice was GREAT. She sounded better than on the cd last night. I read a review on a website earlier saying she wasn't hitting notes, but she was way on. She seemed happy, but also agitated at some points. She threw prizes out to the audience. She messed up during Sleep to Dream........she forgot the first line to a verse and just kind of yelled/sang Oh My God and sang the rest of the song with a big smile on her face. She had the spray bottle with her again and kept using it. People were dancing the whole time and having a blast, except the people on the balcony, who wouldn't stop talking. During "I Know" which was beautiful, Fiona kept shooting them dirty looks and playing louder when it was just the piano. She made a comment after that she was going to include a track on her next album of just talking, then thanked the cool people for trying to make them shut up and that the cool people made up for the assholes. Um....someone tried to give her a demo tape, but she said she couldn't take it because she could get sued later on. Oh, and right before "I Know", someone yelled "DO PALE SEPTEMBER"..........she kinda got flustered and said she didn't remember it. The Encore was awesome.......One of Those Things was amazing. I think during "kissin my love" she couldn't hear herself. She kept holding her ear and at one point yelled at the sound guy on the side, but we couldn't hear what. She was out of breath a lot and there was a LOT of Fiona dancing, which was totally free and awesome.

    After the show, we waited out by the tour bus with about 30-40 other people. We kept trying to ask the people out there if she was coming out, but no one would tell us anything and it was kind of chilly out there and I hadn't eaten all day. While we were trying to see Fiona, Alanis Morissette walked by, but not many people saw her. I talked to someone who had been standing close enough to the piano to see the set list. He said she skipped a lot of songs on the set list. He said "Shadow Boxer" and "Never is a Promise" were both on there. I dunno if she's planning on doing them after the NO show. Anyways, then someone saw another tour bus pulling up and everyone ran to it. Fiona was getting on that one. The other one was a decoy :( We all stood in the road and saw her getting on. She waved and looked back at a tall man with grey hair. I don't know who the hell he was. She went back into the bus and kinda did a little dance while we all screamed for her to come back out. The ass with the grey hair pulled the curtain so that we couldn't see her anymore and the bus kept going and everyone was forced to leave the street. It was kind of disappointing that she didn't sign anything, especially since we waited out there for like, an hour and a half, almost 2 hours. But the actual show..........just AMAZING!

Jessica