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Glen Phillips
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The
Roseland Grill
Portland, OR
June 10, 2003 |
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Glen walks out onto the stage, very
simply. Bare feet, as always, and casual jeans and a T-shirt he’s
had on since sound check. The chords of Sleep Of The Blessed
begin to play and the crowd settles in. Within minutes, trouble
begins. Glen cannot hear his guitar through the PA. He stops in
mid song to correct the problem. As he checks and switches the
wires, the minutes begin to pass. Finally, he seems to have gotten
the sound to a tolerable level. He apologizes and tells the
audience, “It’s been one of those days.” At this point, the show
looks like it could become a disaster.
After what seems like forever, Glen begins to play again breaking
into Whatever I Fear, (a song he wrote while briefly living in
Olympia, WA). Cheering and applauding, the audience shows no sign
of losing interest because of sound problems. Instead, they seem
to become more attentive and supportive. As Glen continues
playing, the crowd grows ever more silent, listening intently. By
the fourth song, it’s difficult to believe the show was ever in
jeopardy.
Glen’s voice is melodic and precise. He has an impeccable, angelic
tone that draws you into every word he sings. Without a set
list, the audience is given the opportunity to help create one.
Between the songs Glen shares many personal stories and life
philosophies. His stories are incredibly entertaining and
insightful with intelligence and humor, (an ideal combination).
Towards the end of the show Glen steps back from his
mic and invites everyone to join him
in a sing-a-long. He sings Walk On The Ocean and Something’s
Always Wrong, (both are Toad songs). The crowd provides the
background harmonies. Nearly everyone knows the words.
Glen thanks the audience for ‘keeping him in the room’. He reveals
that his wife’s grandmother passed away that morning and then
dedicates Darkest Hour to her. There is an unspoken compassion
felt inside the room. As Glen ends the song and leaves the stage,
his words echo in my head; “In my darkest hour, I will be
free…free…”
~Melody Alderman
SET LIST
Sleep Of The Blessed
Whatever I Fear
There Comes A Time
Train Wreck
Nanci
Drive By
Courage
Fred Meyers
Better Off Here
Thankful
Theme from Star Trek (Gene
Roddenberry)
Easier
Two Headed Boy: Part
Two (Neutral
Milk Hotel)
Windmills
Another Half-Life
Crowing
Maya
Mother Stands For Comfort (Kate Bush)
Political Science (Randy Newman)
Falling
All I Want
Something's Always Wrong
(Encore)
Duck And Cover
Lay Down Your Arms
Darkest Hour
Don't Need
Anything
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