BOWERY BALLROOM, NYC, NY 8/10/02


My girlfriend and I flew from New Jersey to California to see Arthur at the
Knitting Factory since it was the only show scheduled for the US at that
point in time. Based on how incredible Arthur and band were at that show, I
was really excited to hear about the Bowery shows in New York. The place was
great, it had a nice dimly lit bar (not too crowed either) downstairs with
$5 import beers which is as inexpensive as it gets in NYC. The ballroom was
located up a flight of stairs and was small (500 capacity). I love seeing
bands at the smallest places possible. I also don't try to get as close to
the stage as possible since I really don't like being smushed into a pack of
bodies. It also makes it hard to get a beer and use the bathroom. There were
small balcony areas up top which I think were reserved for people. Unlike
the Knitting Factory, which appeared to be a newer building, the Bowery
Ballroom was an old building.

Saturday night Arthur came on at approximately 10:15 wearing a tan/white
cowboy hat, under which was a red, white and blue bandana, the black shirt
with sequins and playing cards on the chest, and blue jeans. Arthur
explained that he had a slight case of laryngitis before the opener of My
Little Red Book. Despite the fact that it could be said that he sounded
slightly better at the Knitting Factory, he sounded great, and there was no
loss overall in his performace as a result. The most obvious thing about the
music was that the band has improved a lot. Baby Lemonade was incredible in
L.A. in May, but they were tighter and more gelled than before. Mike Randle,
who explained to me after the show that he hadn't been playing for two (2)
years prior to the Knitting Factory gig, was more than exceptional as was
Dave Chapel's bass. Dave had that awesome bass sound down that you hear on
the bass solo on "My Flash on You" on the first album. People were really
into the show and Arthur was smiling and very animated. He would act out the
words with his hands to many of the lines he was singing, pointing to
someone "sitting on the couch" in the balcony and making machine gun
gestures at "I recognize your artillery" during Red Telephone". I also
think he was crossing his eyes when he sang "look in my eyes!" He had the
whole room shouting "Freedom!" at the end of the song as well, which was
very fun and powerful. The only thing that wasn't totally positive about
the performance (and not really Arthur's fault) was at one point, near the
third-quarter of the show, Arthur got very upset at someone who was
apparently videotaping his performance. He angrily told the people "don't
try to steal my shit!" and then said "you know what, you two leave, get
out!" as he stood in front of them, his long arms waved upwards towards the
back of the room. It was a scene that threw off the good vibes for a moment.
The two didn't leave however and Arthur sang a couple of dedicated lines to
them with a sarcastic smile. August was unexpected, appreciated, and it
shook the rafters with Randle peircing the night with splintering solos
throughout. The new blues song was a true mississippi-type blues song that
appears to be an original. Hope it appears on the new album! Overall, a very
exciting and memorable performance. After the show Arthur did not emerge to
sign autographs. When Mr. Lee did finaly try to exit the bar quietly around
12:45, one guy managed to acquire an autograph from a tired-looking Lee, who
was quickly excorted out by Manager Gene Kraut. After the performance he
gave, I feel, Arthur's responsibilites are complete.

Sunday sold out as well. I ordered a beer from the bar and talked with a
gentleman about our connections to Love music. This guy got into Love in
1974, but tonight would be his first show. I told him I wish I was him
tonight! There was a guy wearing a sleeveless "Fastway" T-shirt at the
bar! I felt like asking him if he knew where he was. The Sunday show as not
quite as good as the previous night. I think the crowd was a lot more
subdued and the energy demand wasn't as great. I stood next to some
deadbeats for a good part of the show who just stared. I met a guy later
named Damian and he and his girlfriend were totally into it and I enjoyed
the last couple of songs with them. The night produced the best "You Set The
Scene" I have heard so far and Arthur's harmonica on "Signed D.C." was
absolutely mesmerizing. The band brought the music to powerful moments at
several times during the show and Mike Randle was forging the furnace as he
was the night before. August and Singing Cowboy were perfect with Arthur
pointing at varying people in the audience..."am I coming through to you?",
replied by fans singing "yoo-hoo!". Again, Arthur pointed someone out saying
"I like the way this guy looks at me, I've gotta' hand it to him". "I can't
tell if you like me or if you think I suck"..or someting close to that. I
guess the guy then gave him a thumbs up because Arthur said "Oh" with a nod
as he repeated the gesture back. You can see the tough side of Arthur
sometimes during his performance and it should be expected since we must
remeber that he DID spend six years in jail and hasn't exactly had an easy
life. I would like to see him not getting upset during the shows, but it
really reminds you that he is a human and a passionate one at that. Thanks
Arthur for two (2) great shows. Come back soon!

Thomas Adams