a singer and a guitar live

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Who can pull off an interesting show solo with just a guitar? I saw Smog last night and I have say that he cannot. It was pretty boring.

― Mark (MarkR), Thursday, 15 April 2004 12:00 (twenty-two years ago)

Bob Dylan is kinda useful in this area...

― mark grout (mark grout), Thursday, 15 April 2004 12:00 (twenty-two years ago)

Richard Thompson

― Dadaismus (Dada), Thursday, 15 April 2004 12:01 (twenty-two years ago)

Kevin Coyne

― Dadaismus (Dada), Thursday, 15 April 2004 12:01 (twenty-two years ago)

Kevin Coyne

...are you still denying it? ;-)

― Jez (Jez), Thursday, 15 April 2004 12:04 (twenty-two years ago)

I caught Adam Green just solo, he was pretty interesting.

*duck*

― the impossible shortest special path! (the impossible shortest specia), Thursday, 15 April 2004 12:05 (twenty-two years ago)

Robyn Hitchcock

― Buster (mokey), Thursday, 15 April 2004 12:18 (twenty-two years ago)

Richard Thompson
Bob Mould
Adam Franklin
Todd Rundgren

― Rocco, Thursday, 15 April 2004 12:22 (twenty-two years ago)

TV Smith

― Stewart Osborne (Stewart Osborne), Thursday, 15 April 2004 12:24 (twenty-two years ago)

Gary Lucas

― Stewart Osborne (Stewart Osborne), Thursday, 15 April 2004 12:25 (twenty-two years ago)

Martin Carthy!!!!

Dick Gaughan!!!!!!!

― Dadaismus (Dada), Thursday, 15 April 2004 12:25 (twenty-two years ago)

Kristin Hersh.

― mike a, Thursday, 15 April 2004 12:27 (twenty-two years ago)

Ed Hamell

― dave225 (Dave225), Thursday, 15 April 2004 12:28 (twenty-two years ago)

Bob Mould definately !!!
I have seem him at least 10 times w/ just him and his acoustic. He ususally pulls out the electric for a few songs towards the end.

― sej, Thursday, 15 April 2004 12:40 (twenty-two years ago)

somebody mentions me with a quickness or I'm throwin' a tantrum

― J0hn Darn1elle (J0hn Darn1elle), Thursday, 15 April 2004 12:41 (twenty-two years ago)

(also, I saw (smog) the other night and found him quite compelling)

― J0hn Darn1elle (J0hn Darn1elle), Thursday, 15 April 2004 12:41 (twenty-two years ago)

"somebody mentions me with a quickness or I'm throwin' a tantrum"

Not seen you live but heard a record of yours last weekend and thoroughly enjoyed it if that helps.

― the impossible shortest special path! (the impossible shortest specia), Thursday, 15 April 2004 12:46 (twenty-two years ago)

Will Oldham
Evan Dando

― hmmm (hmmm), Thursday, 15 April 2004 12:47 (twenty-two years ago)

ben chasny

― el sabor de gene (yournullfame), Thursday, 15 April 2004 12:47 (twenty-two years ago)

my freestyles are legendary

― J0hn Darn1elle (J0hn Darn1elle), Thursday, 15 April 2004 12:55 (twenty-two years ago)

J0hn, I'd totally big pimp you, no problem, had I actually seen you in concert (like one of the multiple times you played Wesleyan U back in "the day" AND I DIDN'T KNOW) (oh the pain) (oh to hear you perform "The Vapors").

Oh, but the thread:
- Kristin Hersh (no doubt! - CIF OTM)
- Ted Leo
- Joe Henry
- Franklin Bruno
- Lois!

And (note the segregation!) the one time I saw Dave Matthews perform solo (w/ Tim Reynolds, natch) (circa _Under The Table..._), it was quite enjoyable. Yes, most definitely.

― David R. (popshots75`), Thursday, 15 April 2004 13:04 (twenty-two years ago)

Jeff Mangum's solo shows were incredible.

― mike a, Thursday, 15 April 2004 13:07 (twenty-two years ago)

BOB LOG!

― nickalicious (nickalicious), Thursday, 15 April 2004 13:09 (twenty-two years ago)

Roddy Frame

― Stewart Osborne (Stewart Osborne), Thursday, 15 April 2004 13:18 (twenty-two years ago)

m0untain g0ats!!!
jonathan richman
robyn hitchcock seconded in a huge way

― fact checking cuz (fcc), Thursday, 15 April 2004 13:19 (twenty-two years ago)

jonathan richman
mojo nixon

xpost

― kephm, Thursday, 15 April 2004 13:20 (twenty-two years ago)

Joni Mitchell, probably. And Prince, probably.

― Jordan (Jordan), Thursday, 15 April 2004 13:20 (twenty-two years ago)

(bonus points to jonathan richman on account of the fact that last time i saw him, shortly after 9/11 in nyc, he performed his first song not only without a band but also without a microphone or a p.a., in a fairly big club, and pulled it off quite fantastically.)

― fact checking cuz (fcc), Thursday, 15 April 2004 13:21 (twenty-two years ago)

One time I saw Jonathan he had a microphone set up at one side of the stage, at foot level, where he did a bit a of tap dancing

― Dadaismus (Dada), Thursday, 15 April 2004 13:27 (twenty-two years ago)

(also, although he does not know me, i was standing next to matos at that show. he had pad and paper, i asked him whom he was padding and papering for, he introduced himself, we blah-blah-blah'd about jonathan for a short bit, and then went back to our separate lives.)

― fact checking cuz (fcc), Thursday, 15 April 2004 13:27 (twenty-two years ago)

(he had a pen, too, i believe! and the pad and paper were one and the same.)

― fact checking cuz (fcc), Thursday, 15 April 2004 13:28 (twenty-two years ago)

Based on performers I have seen live:

Leo Kotke
John Hammond Jr.
Jonathan Richmond
Yank Rachell -- The guy was amazing for being in his mid 80s, mind you he was playing mandolin not guitar.

Other than the Modern Lovers CD, I don't have an album of any of them, but I enjoyed seeing them live.

I know Will Oldham has probably improved his live playing skills, since it has been a few years, but he was pretty bad the time I saw Palace.

I'd say Richard Thompson, but the time I saw him live he was touring with Danny Thompson on bass as a duo.

― earlnash, Thursday, 15 April 2004 14:00 (twenty-two years ago)

- Richard Thompson, again
- I saw Jamie Xiu Xiu and Devendra Banhart on a double bill - both were great
- Mirah
- Mirah's sister, the Weeds
- The Mountain Goats, natch
- There are a good share of local kids I don't mind watching

― Sonny A. (Keiko), Thursday, 15 April 2004 14:05 (twenty-two years ago)

somebody corrects my grammar and I'm throwin' a tantrum

― Sonny A. (Keiko), Thursday, 15 April 2004 14:06 (twenty-two years ago)

Jeffrey Lewis & Kimya Dawson are both pretty great, the latter is the only performer to make me cry in recent years

― J0hn Darn1elle (J0hn Darn1elle), Thursday, 15 April 2004 14:09 (twenty-two years ago)

I've seen the Mountain Goats both with and without bass player, and was both awed and mesmerized. Hell, at one show (Ames, sometime last Spring), John was momentarily sans guitar, and wowed us with an a capella version of "I Wonder Where Our Love Has Gone." It was amazing.

― Salmon Pink (Salmon Pink), Thursday, 15 April 2004 14:10 (twenty-two years ago)

to return to (smog), though, I was downright jealous of how he got over on pure presence: just walked on stage, plugged an electric into a very small amp, stood there and started singing "I Was A Stranger" - utterly mesmerizing. About three remarks to the audience, total - and he didn't seem rude or anything, just kinda focused. Also, instead of an encore, he just looked up at one point and said "Well - that was all I'd planned on playing tonight. Is there anything else anybody wants to hear?"

― J0hn Darn1elle (J0hn Darn1elle), Thursday, 15 April 2004 14:21 (twenty-two years ago)

Mark Kozelek was great solo.

― Chris 'The Velvet Bingo' V (Chris V), Thursday, 15 April 2004 14:23 (twenty-two years ago)

The smog show sounds great. I would love to see him. Would also have loved to see Jeff Mangum live (and regret speaking of him in the past tense.) Does he even perform anymore? The "Live at Jittery Joe's" CD is very nice; wish I'd been there.

― Salmon Pink (Salmon Pink), Thursday, 15 April 2004 14:32 (twenty-two years ago)

and, i forgot to mention before, evan dando was recently pretty great solo, motoring steadily and playfully through what seemed like a million two-minute songs in D in a row on his acoustic guitar.

neil young can be pretty great at this game, too. as i think everybody already knows.

fountains of wayne were brilliant doing the acoustic thing in nyc last summer, but that was two guys with two guitars. does that count?

stephin merritt is capable of completely flooring me singing a cappella, no band, no guitar.

all of the above have in common that their songs tend to be three- and four-chord ditties played in open positions. which probably helps a lot.

robyn hitchcock, who i and someone else mentioned above, makes it work with much more intricate playing. as does marshall crenshaw when he chooses to do so.

― fact checking cuz (fcc), Thursday, 15 April 2004 14:37 (twenty-two years ago)

I saw Doug Martsch solo last year and was expecting to be bored when it fact he was really mesmerizing.

And of course, the best: Elliott Smith...

― mcd (mcd), Thursday, 15 April 2004 14:39 (twenty-two years ago)

Would also have loved to see Jeff Mangum live (and regret speaking of him in the past tense.)

I wouldn't be entirely sure we've seen the last of JM, who is real great live.

― J0hn Darn1elle (J0hn Darn1elle), Thursday, 15 April 2004 14:42 (twenty-two years ago)

pete bellchamber aka ingo star cruiser. i prefer his full band shows. but damn with just a guitar the man is still great fun. love him.

― mark e (mark e), Thursday, 15 April 2004 14:45 (twenty-two years ago)

Paul Henty

― Jarlr'mai (jarlrmai), Thursday, 15 April 2004 14:48 (twenty-two years ago)

Hersh, Thompson and On Trial all seconded here. And Jansch, although I did find it waned after about the first hour

― DJ Mencap (DJ Mencap), Thursday, 15 April 2004 14:50 (twenty-two years ago)

John Martyn

Never actually seen him, but he has that certain kinda repuation.

― Trever Booth (xjzico), Thursday, 15 April 2004 15:10 (twenty-two years ago)

Neil Young
Brother JT

― Hurlothrumbo (hurlothrumbo), Thursday, 15 April 2004 15:12 (twenty-two years ago)

Julie Doiron

― Sean M (Sean M), Thursday, 15 April 2004 15:16 (twenty-two years ago)

John's description of (smog) was quite close to the show I saw, but I guess one man's "focused" is another's "aloof." I just didn't feel any connection with him as a performer. I had been standing for a while, that may have been part of the problem. I enjoy stuff like that more when I am sitting down.

― Mark (MarkR), Thursday, 15 April 2004 15:16 (twenty-two years ago)

yeah but speaking as a guy with a guitar, when people sit down I feel like they're saying "no way you could actually rock, since you're not a proper band"

― J0hn Darn1elle (J0hn Darn1elle), Thursday, 15 April 2004 15:45 (twenty-two years ago)

I was really charmed and amazed and impressed with Thanksgiving, which is this young kind from Portland, OR. I saw him in New York on his Greyhound Bus American tour. He has a strong voice and improvised words in a witty way, but could aslo sing devastatingly pretty songs.

― Magic City (ano ano), Thursday, 15 April 2004 15:52 (twenty-two years ago)

Almost forgot - MIA DOI TODD!

I saw her open for Ms. Hersh in Cambridge, and was mesmerized - she got up on stage with the crowd milling around & chatting blah blah, and instead of getting everyone's attention by speaking into the mike, she used a singing bowl. (See - http://catgen.com/esewanepal/EN/100000941.html) Everyone gradually quieted down as the sound of the bowl made its way through the crowd, and when she had everyone's attention, she demurely thanked them (us), and then sang this song (to the left of the globe - http://www.midheaven.com/communion/mia_lyrics6.html) acapella. And after she finished, the crowd went wild (with applause, that is).

― David R. (popshots75`), Thursday, 15 April 2004 15:56 (twenty-two years ago)

Also, Panda Bear's solo shows a year or two ago were pretty amazing. I don't know if everyone thought so. I'm biased.

― Magic City (ano ano), Thursday, 15 April 2004 15:59 (twenty-two years ago)

Mark Eitzel

― Aaron W (Aaron W), Thursday, 15 April 2004 16:00 (twenty-two years ago)

Mark Eitzel

has put me to sleep several times.

― fact checking cuz (fcc), Thursday, 15 April 2004 16:05 (twenty-two years ago)

Mark Eitzel is a swell guy but I'm with Fact Checkin' Cuz here - I think how much you dig Eitzel depends on how excited you were to be seeing him live (NB this probably applies to, ahem, some other guy-with-an-instrument performers one might name)

― J0hn Darn1elle (J0hn Darn1elle), Thursday, 15 April 2004 16:26 (twenty-two years ago)

Whatshisname from Iron and Wine! Nobody said a fucking WORD, the audience was in total stunned silence.

― nickalicious (nickalicious), Thursday, 15 April 2004 16:32 (twenty-two years ago)

Oh yeah, and Ani D is a total audience master doing her solo thing. She's way more charismatic in person than any of her recordings let on.

― nickalicious (nickalicious), Thursday, 15 April 2004 16:33 (twenty-two years ago)

PAUL WESTERBERG

― KiKi_dummy_of_reason, Thursday, 15 April 2004 16:55 (twenty-two years ago)

Martin Stephenson!!!!

― Donna Brown (Donna Brown), Thursday, 15 April 2004 17:00 (twenty-two years ago)

Sam Beam

― Chris 'The Velvet Bingo' V (Chris V), Thursday, 15 April 2004 17:01 (twenty-two years ago)

Dick Gaughan seconded. Hersh also.
Back in the day (when there were unions and students all belonged to one): Billy Bragg natch.

― zebedee (zebedee), Thursday, 15 April 2004 17:04 (twenty-two years ago)

The Blow. Some shows I've seen of Khaela's have been brilliant, some have been intolerably self-indulgent, but she's always a unique live experience.

And oh yeah, let me mention the Mountain Goats.

― mike a, Thursday, 15 April 2004 17:05 (twenty-two years ago)

Jackie Leven is an excellent one man band and a great storyteller.

I'd big up John D but when I saw him last week he was ably assisted by his bass playing compadre Peter and he was the one who did most of the rocking ;-)

― Billy Dods (Billy Dods), Thursday, 15 April 2004 17:13 (twenty-two years ago)

yeah I know I think I gotta get a guitar strap or something

― J0hn Darn1elle (J0hn Darn1elle), Thursday, 15 April 2004 17:14 (twenty-two years ago)

Sell out!

― David R. (popshots75`), Thursday, 15 April 2004 17:17 (twenty-two years ago)

Jeff Buckley.

― George Cruikshank, Thursday, 15 April 2004 17:21 (twenty-two years ago)

I dunno, probably Fred Frith?

― Clarke B. (Clarke B.), Thursday, 15 April 2004 21:08 (twenty-two years ago)

Billy Bragg

Bounty Hunter, but he uses a drum machine and samples himself while playing, so it might not count.

― Sasha (sgh), Friday, 16 April 2004 01:28 (twenty-two years ago)

I have to disagree with the Neil-love. I find that his acoustic
material can get tedious, samey.

― Squirrel_Police (Squirrel_Police), Friday, 16 April 2004 01:33 (twenty-two years ago)

I saw Billy Childish solo, and he nearly made me cry.

― Kate Silver (Kate Silver), Friday, 16 April 2004 02:19 (twenty-two years ago)

Thank you, Rocco, for mentioning todd Rundgren as a guitar player. You just don't hear that often enough.

Others I have enjoyed solo:

Jonathan Edwards
Tom Rush
Gordon Lightfoot
Dave Davies

― jim wentworth (wench), Friday, 16 April 2004 02:36 (twenty-two years ago)

Rickie Lee Jones; Vic Chesnutt; wouldn't bet against Joe Pernice....

― Evanston Wade (EWW), Friday, 16 April 2004 02:49 (twenty-two years ago)

I don't know if he could do a whole set and hold my attention, but I saw Thurston Moore do a three song encore circa EJTNS at an awful Free Kitchen show that was a pretty amazing sounding racket. Great in between song banter btw.

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Friday, 16 April 2004 02:54 (twenty-two years ago)

Nina Nastasia. Actually she might have had a band when I saw her but I'm going to let that slide

― DJ Mencap (DJ Mencap), Friday, 16 April 2004 08:04 (twenty-two years ago)

Chris T-T

Kimya Dawson seconded

Bob Mould thirded

― Ben Dot (1977), Friday, 16 April 2004 16:33 (twenty-two years ago)

eitzel by himself can be wonderful or awful. it's been a few years since I've seen him do a solo set that was really joyous and fun (he's been playing with bands now for a couple of years though), but his sets used to be great, he can be really funny. unlike kozelek, who can really be boring by himself more often than not.

seconded elliot smith, if you never saw him solo, you never saw him properly.

― anthony kyle monday (akmonday), Friday, 16 April 2004 16:41 (twenty-two years ago)

i have to agree with elliot smith, mark kozelek, mark eitzel. thing is, i've seen an avergae,mistake ridden show and a perfect show from all three of them

― kephm, Friday, 16 April 2004 17:07 (twenty-two years ago)

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