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This show was the 4th night in their annual Hanukkah residency at Maxwells and it just so happened that this show was on Christmas Eve. For those unfamiliar with what YO LA TENGO do almost ever year for Hanukkah, every night’s proceeds are donated to a different charity, a special opening act (usually unannounced) is selected for every night and an additional special guest often comes out during the encore. Furthermore, songs by Jewish singer-songwriters are covered and a mix cd-r (compiled by a different artist each night) is sold each night with the proceeds also going to that night’s charity. And furthermore, it’s a complete blast each and every time.
We didn’t know who the opener was gonna be on this night and when I found out that it was gonna be JENNIFER O’CONNOR, I was a little disappointed. Don’t get me wrong here. I’ve enjoyed what I’d heard of her on record and she was fine as an opener for WILCO back in August in Wilmington (review here). However, on this night it was a completely different experience. Perhaps the smaller venue brings out her strengths much more, but I found myself really enjoying her set a lot. Playing a 45-minute set after being stuck in 3 hours of Holland Tunnel traffic, she stuck to mostly her originals, but included a winsome, beautiful cover of “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow” (co-written by CAROLE KING, first popularized by THE SHIRELLES in 1961 and later recorded by King herself and many others including BRYAN FERRY).
After O’Connor’s set, comedian JON BENJAMIN (posing as someone named MARK LEVINSKY) entertained the audience during the break before Yo La Tengo went on and oddly, most of his routine revolved around the heartburn/acid reflux drug Prilosec. He even dispensed free samples out to the audience. As a user of said drug, I found it pretty funny. Another comedian, JON GLASSNER (perhaps another one of Benjamin’s alter-egos though I’m not sure), was supposed to take the stage instead and got sick. Thus, Benjamin read a funny, misanthropic note from Glassner directed towards the audience.
Then it was time for Yo La Tengo and as always, they were absolutely terrific. They opened with the “slow” version of “Big Day Coming” and a few songs later, we got a phenomenal “Pass the Hatchet, I Think I’m Goodkind”, the stomping, over 10-minute long drone that opens their 2006 album I Am Not Afraid of You and I Will Beat Your Ass. They also played several other songs from that album, including “The Weakest Part,” “Mr. Tough” and “Beanbag Chair”. Other highlights included an incredible “Blue Line Swinger”, a cover of THE VELVET UNDERGROUND classic “I Heard Her Call My Name” (which they also played a few years ago here in Philly) and a cover of the SPARKS classic “Angst in My Pants”, played as a tribute to RUSSELL MAEL, the curator of that evening’s mix cd-r.
For the encore, the songs included ”(I Gotta) Dream On” by HERMAN’S HERMITS and JAN TERRI’s RAMONES-like “Rock and Roll Santa”. Perhaps because it was Christmas Eve, we didn’t get any special guests, unlike virtually other night of this 8-night stand at Maxwells. However, “Rock and Roll Santa” (originally released as a giveaway 7” and CD single back in 2002 during their Hanukkah run that year) was magnificent and the perfect way to close off a great holiday show!
The full setlist can be found here.
