. : : October 23rd, 2011 : : .
Phew.
After four straight weeks, the real Rebekah Higgs residency gig proper at the Drake Underground finally came to a close. This would be the last of the Sunday evenings in October in which Rebekah and band would treat us to a familiar set of tunes — mostly culled from her recent sophomore release, Odd Fellowship. Over the month, I was treated to differing versions with differing configurations of, generally, the same set list, but one thing has staid absolutely consistent: I’ve loved every minute of it.
True, some of the songs had to grow on me a bit more than others but each live performance gave me a deeper appreciation for and understanding of the songs and album as a whole. I now count Odd Fellowship as amongst my favourite LPs of the year. As good as the album is, the live setting is where Rebekah’s star shines brightest.
I’ve already stated in previous entries that Rebekah and co. seem to get increasingly more confident with each passing show and I’m still that’s still true, but I think hearing the same songs week in and week out have allowed me to fully appreciate the nuances of the songs, and the energy brought to each performance.
Songs hardly on my radar before the residency, including Give You What You Want, Drunk Love, and 96′, are now songs I look forward to, and are set highlights. Give You What You Want, a slow burning track that culminates in a cacophony of snares and cymbals, is especially a treat.
One other thing that has remained consistent is that the shows have remained criminally under-attended. I’m not sure if Toronto’s too busy nursing Saturday hangovers for Sunday shows or what, but it’s a crying shame that this band isn’t playing to sold out shows week in and week out. The songs are phenomenal, and the live show is great, so I’m not sure what the missing ingredient is? But those who have been traveling out to the wonderful Drake Underground have been privy an exceptional evening of music, each and every Sunday for the past month.
Now I just have to figure out how I’m going to spend Sunday evenings in the comings months. I daresay, they won’t be as exciting as I’ve grown accustomed to, but maybe I’ll appease myself by putting Odd Fellowship on for another spin or six.
The recording sounds balanced and crisp, as clear as any of my live recordings ever have. I attribute this mostly to the beautiful sound and great sound engineers at the Drake. I know I say this every week, but I think this trumps all previous recordings as the definitive Rebekah Higgs recording. Download it, won’t you? Then, come out and see her when she plays live in your town. You can’t possibly regret it.
01. Miserably Together [abandoned]
02. Miserably Together
03. Give You What You Want
04. [banter]
05. Little Voice
06. Gosh Darn Damn
07. Parables
08. Youth and Beauty
09. [banter]
10. He’s So Fine [the Chiffons]
11. [banter]
12. Drunk Love
13. 96′
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As always, massive amounts of love to Rebekah Higgs and band, and the “beautiful” staff members of the Drake Hotel.
