I was too tired to write this last night. Saw Van @ The Independent in SF (good little venue, small, great bartenders)...

But let's start w/ the opening act: Jennifer Johns I've never heard of her, don't know where she came from (well, from Oakland actually, but still) but her voice lept off the stage like fucking thunder She was amazing, I'll buy her album when it comes out (I should have bought one @ the door but I spent all my $ on drinks )... She rocked it... AND her dj (her brother I think?) is way cute



If you ever see her name on the bill, CHECK HER OUT




Soon after, Van comes on. I always have to confess to being completely unimpressed w/ him when he first came out. And I always have to give it up to Blaque for turning me around Van turned the shit OUT My only disappointment is that he didn't sing my favorite song on Jungle Floor which is "Daredevil, Baby" - I really REALLY hope he'll put that on the setlist the next time he comes to town. But enough about what I didn't hear, what I did hear was fantastic!!

He did a good amount from Jungle Floor (he started with "If I Take You Home", closed with "Hot Stage Lights" - great way to begin & end!!!), the crowd went nuts when he did "Dust", I wanted to hear him on the chorus of "Seconds of Pleasure" but he let the crowd do it for him - love that one.

I think it was "Who Will Love Me In Winter" where he did this whole James Brown "Man's World" breakdown that was so fuckin' PHAT it's insane. At one point he gently says to the talkers in the room, "Unless you talkin' about how dope this shit is you need to shut the fuck up!" I was LOVING that b/c I don't understand mufuckas who come to a show & refuse to engage w/ the artistry before them - those bitches need to stay home

All in all a killer show, I hope he comes back to SF soon! He talked about the last time he played out here & "Cafe Du... something" (the crowd yells back, "NORD! Cafe DuNord!" ) Said there were about 15 people there & now this (it was a full house, no idea how many people but I know there were more than 100 - it's a pretty small club). He commented on being one of the few artists out there right now who's trying to build a fanbase the right way - by touring. I love him for that

So check them out if they come to your town - Van Hunt, Jennifer Johns

He also sang a bluesy sounding song & the hook was "On the Jungle Floor" - is that an actual song? Is it coming soon or out somewhere? I want it, it was awesome

awesome! i've passed on the opportunities to see him when i had the chance. i didn't know how he'd come across live. NOW i know, thanks.

and um so you live in SF, huh? i was thinking about coming out there next week, but opted to go to NYC instead, Damn.

sinisterpentatonic said:

DUDE, he translates SO WELL live

So a roadie brings him a cup onstage & Van takes a sip...

Van: "He just brought me out a gallon of Grand Marnier... (crowd laughs)... but it's @ the wrong time 'cause we 'bout to do the rock shit... 1, 2, 3, 4!"

I loved it

Van Hype.

2freaky4church1 said:

how long did it take u to think that one up.
No hype here. "On the Junglefloor" is the best album this year and competes with Thicke's "Beautifull world" for best album this decade, solid album, no filler.


.
[Edited 6/27/06 20:08pm]

2freaky4church1 said:

What the? Didn't you help me out w/ a Van track before? I thought you dug him

CalhounSq said:

i love it when women use that emoticon

twink69 said:

i heard there's a little new wave vibe in his cd. is this true? i love his first cd but i'm not in a neo soul mood lately. mostly new wave!

I wanted to go.

I saw Jennifer Johns when she opened for either Res or Nikka Costa. She had the crowd's attention.

It was a great show! Worth staying up too late on a Monday. And I love the Independent -- saw Nikka there last year. M'shell N'geciallo (o please don't make me spell it!) will be there next month, but I'll be out of town.

Did you notice Van Hunt in the audience at the BET awards last night? How odd to see him live and then see him on tv watching Prince.

...and one of these days I'm going to figure out who you are, Cal.

LesGrinds said:

dancerella said:

I'd say 2 songs could qualify as "new wave" but there's lots of different sounds on the album. It's so worth getting it's not even funny

He opened for anthony hamilton and heather headley two nights before the release of on the jungle floor near where i live in charlotte,nc back in april. I had to work that night and could not go. The dude is talented. While i liked his first cd better,jungle floor is no slouch. I like the opening track,hot stage lights,character,and hole in my heart. My favorite van hunt song is hello,goodbye from his first cd. If he comes to the carolinas again i will be sure to check him out.

It was one of the best shows i've ever seen. It was worth the drive from Sac and the lack of sleep before going to work the next day.

vgallo6 said:

You drove down from Sac?? DAMN!

Good to hear you had such a great time .
I wanted to see him on one of his Eurupean dates this June, but unfortunately he didn't come anywhere near me .
Hopefully there will be a next time .

Serious said:

There will. As his audience continues to grow he'll widen out

CalhounSq said:

Yeah i had to see him live. In my opinion right now he has the best music out there.

CalhounSq said:

Sounds like you had a great time to say the least.

When i've seen him on TV within the past few weeks, he's come off too mellow for me to go out of my way to see him live.

Guess i'll have to rethink this.


tA

Tribal Disorder

http://www.soundclick.com...dID=182431

I don't even know who this is, but now I definately want to hear some of his work.

Sounds like a great night! Glad you had such a good time CalhounSq!

theAudience said:

Nah TA, I think you'd dig him live His energy is really great, his setlist is pretty consistent - not too many mellow spots (funny b/c one of my favorites is a mellow one that he didn't do). Definitely check him out

Nothinbutjoy said:

Thank you, girlie