The Decemberists

I would be remiss if I did not at least mention The Decemberists show I went to see last week. Here is the kind of show that I really enjoy, where I am eager to hear the next song to see how they handle it on stage, where I am oblivious to how long I have been standing in one place and what time it might be, because, after all, I have to be to work early the next morning.

I had heard in various places that these Decemberists put on a good live perfomance, and although going into a show with high expectations is perhaps a little dangerous, I came away pleased. They sounded great, playing most of Picaresque, of course, and a sprinkling of songs from their earlier releases.

I found the song selection fantastic (including the excellent Bus Mall and California One Youth and Beauty Brigade), but then there's not a lot of selections that I would have found disappointing. I should have liked to hear My Mother Was a Chinese Trapeze Artist, but it was not to be, and I'm not the type of person to yell out the names of songs I'd like to hear a band play. Though, in retrospect, how often do you have the opportunity to yell 'My mother was a Chinese trapeze artist'?

NPR has a full Decemberists show that they recorded for All Songs Considered and have made available for your streaming pleasure. If you enjoy the show, drop them a line and let them know. More positive feedback means more perfomances available in the future.