Page Hits Hollywood ~ 7-7-07

We knew it was going to be a great Saturday night in LA after Page announced a show at the House of Blues on the auspicious date of 7-7-07. I’d been hearing mixed reviews about Page’s recent solo tour promoting his newly released self-titled album, but after picking it up, I was more than ready to see him take those songs live. Saturday night marked the first time I saw Page play post-phish and I was delighted to be there to share in the special night.

While the venue was only half full (that’s what happens when you come to LA during High Sierra and the 4th of July weekend), it provided an intimate setting to see Page and his new band in action. Looking around the venue- it seemed like everyone who was there- wanted to be there. Lots of smiling faces with the accompaniment of dancing filled the room as Page lit up the stage. Playing all of the songs off the album, as well as several covers including a tasty version of the Talking Head’s “Memories Can't Wait”, Page and crew rocked the house. Page’s new solo material is a bit of a departure from his work with Vida Blue, while still funky and dare I say phishy in tone, the heartfelt and genuine lyrics seem to be telling of his latest personal transitions. Closing out the night with 2 solo’s, the piano man captivated the audience as he tickled the keys and belted out a beautiful version of Elton John’s “Tiny Dancer”- the very first of the tour, as well as a familiar “Strange Design”. He then brought the band back out for the last song- a high energy, smoking rendition of the Stone’s “Monkey Man”. Despite it being a scaled-down tour (i.e. no baby grand), we were still treated to a exquisite light show, compliments of Chris Kuroda, which definitely helped add to the overall vibe of the night.

After the show, Julie and I were lucky enough to get some quality time in with Page himself. It’s always nice hearing what musicians think about their own shows, and after telling him our thoughts on what we had just heard, he confirmed that the band had just been discussing the show and said they felt it was their best of the tour (and by tour- I had him clarify the WHOLE tour, not just the best of the West coast leg). He told us he was afraid the room would only be filled with “industry” people and while he knew the venue was by no means full- he was definitely into the energy everyone put out and agreed with us that the band and audience connected. We told him the LA ladies loved the Tiny Dancer and he laughed and told us he didn’t even put together the “LA Lady” line until after he had written it down on the setlist earlier that day (even singing that line for us again). But the absolute best part of Page time was hearing him gush about his darling daughter as he proudly shared her photos with us. It’s definitely a special moment between a musician and fan when the barriers break down and you can relate as if you were old friends catching up.

When reading not so positive reviews from other fans, I always wonder if its people’s own expectations that get in the way of letting go and having a good time or perhaps they caught an “off” night, or maybe it just takes a few shows for a band to warm up and gel together. It’s hardly a musicians fault when members of the audience go to a “solo” show expecting to see the same familiarity and level of playing that they are used to seeing that musician play with the same band for decades. As I always say- go with low or no expectations and chances are you won’t be disappointed. It’s those damn expectations that get you. I mean after all- it’s just music.


Los Angeles, CA
7/7/2007
Page McConnell, Jared Slomoff, Rob O'Dea, Adam Zimmon, Gabe Jarrett

Maid Marian
Heavy Rotation
Everyone But Me
Memories Can't Wait
Complex Wind
Runaway Bride
Back in the Basement
Rules I Don't Know
Close to Home
Beauty of a Broken Heart

Encore:
Tiny Dancer*
Strange Design*
Monkey Man

*Page solo