The Live Vault: Villagers

23 September 2010
88Nine Radio Milwaukee Studio
[On occasion, our far-flung correspondents attend and review shows. Here's another installment.]

The wee Irishman from Dublin Town ambled through the doors of the make-shift - but earnest - studio at 88Nine Radio Milwaukee yesterday afternoon, softly apologizing to a select crowd for being late on arrival. He explained that the tardiness was unavoidable: coming off a plane bound from Minneapolis, the airline had misplaced his work instrument. Namely, his guitar.

On his short solo tour of the US and Canada, Conor J O'Brien aka Villagers probably would have enthralled the audience with a short set of tunes if he was forced to sing a cappella. But O'Brien was happy to report that his Japanese crafted acoustic instrument (affectionately nicknamed "Lola") was indeed accompanying him.

The Villagers front-man propped himself up on a stool that dated back to high school shop days and waited for the cue from the radio host to begin. Modestly clad in jeans, work shirt and high top Chuck Taylors, O'Brien silently fiddled with a couple of guitar chords. Then he launched into "That Day," the third single from the marvelous album Becoming A Jackal, nominated earlier this year for the Mercury Prize (which recognizes the top ten long-playing records from the past year in the UK and Ireland). His soft interpretation of the tune, in contrast to the CD's production, bravely brought to the forefront the literate story of unavoidable chasm that has developed between a couple.


The catchy pop of "The Pact (I'll Be Your Fever)" lightened the mood of the small room. Accompanied by a bossa nova like beat from his guitar, O'Brien deftly showed his vocal range on the last verse and chorus.

A new song followed, identified at least for now as "In A New Found Land You Are Free." The gentle, swaying melody betrays the angst and conflict of the lyric, which this reveiwer looks forward to hearing again. The final stanza stuck with me, though:
This new found land
Comes a new found grief
But in a new found land she is free
You are free
It immediately brought to mind the vast migration of Irish to the US and Canada (in particular to the latter nation, whether by coincidence or not, to Newfoundland) and the simple, human tales of struggle and sacrifice woven in Colm Toibin's great novel Brooklyn.

The solo Villager wrapped the mini-set up with "Ship of Promises," a tale that challenges the listener in the best Dylanesque tradition: clever social commentary? the yin and yang of an individual's daily struggle to fit in this world? the unsure journey of a romantic relationship? all of the above? Whatever the interpretation, the song once again confirms that this artist is a wordsmith with the goods to endure in the music business.

[Thanks to the great folks at 88Nine Radio Milwaukee for the kind invite and hospitality.]

SET LIST
"That Day"
"The Pact (I'll Be Your Fever)"
"In A New Found Land You Are Free"
"Ship of Promises"

Jakob Dylan Concert Broadcast

The good folks at 88Nine Radio Milwaukee will be broadcasting the Jakob Dylan concert from The Pabst Theater live tomorrow night, Wednesday, 28 April, from 8.00pm CDT. The emphasis will no doubt be on the new record Women + Country, produced by T-Bone Burnett. The show could be a keeper given the added presence of Neko Case and Kelly Hogan.

The Night Owl will have to catch the rebroadcast as we have a prior commitment a few blocks away at the Daytrotter Barnstorming Tour (watch for The Live Vault review later on this week), but we welcome your comments whether you are catching Dylan The Younger at the venue or via the airwaves.

Here's Jakob's recent appearance on The Late Show with David Letterman, performing "Nothing But The Whole Wide World." TNOP likes the fact that Dylan's apparently been digging into his John Prine collection lately . . .

Ascending: Kings Go Forth

Our affinity for soul music in all forms, sizes, regions and eras is well documented in these pages. Now rising to create their own niche is the Milwaukee collective Kings Go Forth.

Plying its heavily percussive and keyboard laden sound in local clubs, Kings Go Forth has produced an impressive collection of singles over the past couple of years. In addition, harkening back to the 1960s when regional acts would break through radio play, 88Nine Radio Milwaukee put the band in its regular rotation. The group garnered enough attention that David Byrne's Luaka Bop label latched on to the train car and will be releasing the first LP by the band in the April. Pitchfork recently reviewed the first single from the yet untitled album, "Don't Take My Shadow," which you can stream here.

And now comes word that they will be headlining the Muzzle of Bees showcase stage at the South By Southwest Festival in Austin on 18 March.

When listing our Best Songs of the Year feature back in 2008, TNOP named Kings Go Forth's "One Day" near the top of the list: "C'mon attacha full steam: Garage Band Soul! Milwaukee group's raw sound evokes Nuggets and a Stax soul revue, along with the stage presence of Tower of Power."

Dig it.

Special Screening of "Still Bill"

Back in October, we wrote at length about the enduring musical legacy of Bill Withers and the limited release of the new documentary on his career, Still Bill. This Tuesday night, the good folks at 88Nine Radio Milwaukee will host a special screening for listeners at the Hi Hat Garage at Brady & Arlington Streets in Milwaukee. The benefit showing will be followed by a performance by the great Paul Cebar and the up and coming talent Evan Christian. It's only $10 and the fee benefits an independent radio station which is an oasis on the radio dial.

Busking On The Radio

The good folks at 88Nine Radio Milwaukee will be simulcasting The Swell Season concert set for this Sunday night, 1 November. The sold out show at The Pabst Theatre in Milwaukee is scheduled to begin at 8.00pm CST.

The band also makes an appearance this Thursday night (29 October) on Late Night with Conan O'Brien.