Andrew Bird does not stop touring. He’s about to embark on a 16-date tour of the US in support of his new album Are You Serious, but he’s also been on the road nonstop for the last year. It’s a demanding schedule, but shows like the recent one at New York’s famed Carnegie Hall must keep things interesting. The show was presented in three parts: Andrew Bird and special guests; Andrew Bird with Bob Dorough, famed musical director and songwriter for Schoolhouse Rock, who also happened to be celebrating his 93rd birthday; and Andrew Bird with his band.
The eclectic audience — hipsters, seasoned Carnegie Hall patrons, music lovers — was reverential. Not a comment whispered, a cough muffled, nor a pin dropped during the music, and a two-second silence passed before applause at the end of every song. Perhaps it was the formality of the setting, but the artistry and passion emanating from the stage should be credited.
Not surprisingly, the most enrapturing moments were when Bird was alone on stage creating swirling depths with looped layers of his violin and inimitable voice. But the theme of the night was fun and camaraderie. His rotating guests brought sparks to each song, although the most pure joy for the musicians and audience alike was the surprise of Bob Dorough, introduced by Bird as his hero. Along with the band, he played three Schoolhouse Rock classics with the energy of a man one-third his age.
Surrounded by friends, Bird was talkative and in very good cheer. He introduced nearly every song, and told stories throughout the night. He discussed politics during “Capital Crimes” and “Sic of Elephants” (“I wrote [‘Sic of Elephants’] the day George W. Bush was elected president, and I adapted it a bit to the current situation”), and spoke of how “Saints Preservus” was originally written with Quentin Tarantino’s “Django Unchained” in mind, but instead led to his work on the FX show “Baskets.”
As enjoyable as any Andrew Bird show is, it would be hard to beat one performed with friends and musical heroes, and attended by an audience of devotees such as it was at Carnegie Hall.
Setlist
Andrew Bird solo intro
Capital Crimes (w. Gabriel Kahane)
Sic of Elephants (w. Gabriel Kahane)
Saints Preservus (w. Gabriel Kahane and Chris Thile)
Trials Troubles and Tribulations (w. Chris Thile)
Chemical Switches (w. Chris Thile)
My Sister’s Tiny Hands (w. Chris Thile and Steve Elliott)
3 is a Magic Number (w. Bob Dorough, Chris Thile, and band)
Figure 8 (w. Bob Dorough, Chris Thile, and band)
My Hero, Zero (w. Bob Dorough, Chris Thile, and band)
Journey to Satchidananda (w. band)
Capsized (w. band)
A Nervous Tic Motion of the Head to the Left (w. band)
Are You Serious (w. band)
Heretics (w. band)
Truth Lies Low (w. band)
Puma (w. band)
Roma Fade
Why (w. Shilpa Ray and band)
Lusitania (w. Shilpa Ray and band)
Left-Handed Kisses (w. Shilpa Ray and band)
Three White Horses
Plasticities
Scythian Empires
Encore
Give It Away (w. Chris Thile and band)
Pulaski (w. Chris Thile and band)
Weather Systems (Andrew Bird solo)
Second Encore
Harvest (Neil Young cover) (Andrew Bird, band, and guests)
Band:
Andrew Bird, Vocals, Whistling, Violin, Guitar, Glockenspiel
Steven Elliot, Guitar
Alan Hampton, Bass, Vocals
Ted Poor, Drums
Special Guests:
Bob Dorough, Vocals, Piano
Gabriel Kahane, Piano
Shilpa Ray, Vocals
Chris Thile, Mandolin
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