When DEAN AND BRITTA played here last year (covered in an old Top 10 list here), I liked the show, but in the comparatively sterile (though quite nice) environment of World Cafe Live, something was missing. Now neither of Dean Wareham’s old bands (LUNA and GALAXIE 500, respectively) were particularly rockin’ save for the occasional guitar jam, but with their own records, Wareham and his wife BRITTA PHILLIPS stray even further towards the quieter side, channeling their inner LEE HAZELWOOD and NANCY SINATRA. So I was pleasantly surprised at how energetic last Thursday’s set at Johnny Brenda’s was, especially considering that they were nearing the end of a three-week tour and Dean announced from the stage that they were looking forward to sleeping in their own bed once they returned home to New York after the show. Was it the atmosphere of Johnny Brenda’s? Something else? I’m not sure but even though the setlist was very similar to last year’s show, spanning solo material from both their debut_L’Aventura_ and last year’s The Back Numbers and including some Luna material as well (specifically “Moon Palace” from 1995’s amazing Penthouse and their perennial closer, a cover of SERGE GAINSBOURG’s “Bonnie and Clyde”). The only drawback was that perhaps due to their exhaustion, the set was notably shorter than the one they played last year. Thus, we didn’t get any Galaxie 500 material and only a few Luna songs were played. Nevertheless, the energy and enthusiasm made up for it.
For a singer who’s a star in her native France, KEREN ANN came on as unassuming as you could get, playing guitar, decked out in blue jeans and backed by a bassist and drummer as if she was just the leader of any local indie-rock band here. This was no diva showcase or anything remotely like that. Instead, she just did her job, which was to warm the crowd up for Dean and Britta, quite well. Yes, her music is tasteful, but it’s never bland. There are enough twists and turns to keep a listener engaged, especially on her more recent, slightly louder and more dream-pop influenced records . She concentrated primarily on her three most recent albums (including last year’s self-titled gem). Furthermore, her set just sounded exquisite, the most memorable song perhaps being the title track from her 2003 album Not Going Anywhere, her last collaboration with fellow French star BENJAMIN BIOLAY.
I should also mention that a few weeks before the show, Johnny Brenda’s expanded the dining area on their first level. The food and beer, as always, were excellent, which is yet another reason why I love going there for shows!
