This Tornado Loves You

It's official. I've now seen Neko Case in four cities, a personal record for any band.

I'd been looking forward to this show for ages. I had an entire day in Charlottesville planned around it. It was going to be spectacular and include all the elements I love.

But if you read the previous post, you know today got away from me. Today got the upper hand.

As it was I had just enough time to pick up my car, get cleaned up and make it to Charlottesville two songs into opener Doug Paisley's set.

As I walked into the Jefferson Theater for the first time, he was telling a story about mailing a package and being asked if it was perishable.

No, he said it was ephemeral and attributed being in a college town to both he and the clerk knowing the relationship between the two words.

His sad songs had a dreamy quality and his smart lyrics reflected a guy with a lot going on in his head. He closed with a stunner, "Come Here, My Love."

He suggested folks find him at the merch table after the show and compare accents (he's Canadian). He looked sad there, too.

Although the box office had signs up saying the show was sold out, it was obvious sold out has a different meaning at the Jefferson than at the National.

The place was full, but not anywhere near uncomfortably so.

Interestingly enough, the first place that filled up was the seated balcony. I saw a lot of people try to go upstairs, only to return and have to "settle" for standing.

I was right in front of the sound booth, as usual, and since the room is much smaller (I'd guess it holds about 600), it had a much more intimate feel than the National.

Neko Case came out, red hair aflame and looking lovely, and began things with "That Teenage Feeling" ("I don't care if forever never comes cause I'm holding out for that teenage feeling").

She had a four-piece band (upright bass, drums, guitar and pedal steel/banjo) and her regular backup singer, Hogan.

She chatted a lot with the audience (a talkative one unfortunately) about her band mates, about Kiss songs with flute parts ("That should never happen") and about her 1929 guitar.

Putting her electric guitar down, she said, "If you guys knew how dirty that guitar was, you'd be grossed out."

A fan yelled out a compliment about her toned arms, to which she replied, "Aw, shucks," before explaining the band's pre-show ritual.

"That's what we say to each other after we get dressed for a show: How do I look? Would you tap this?" she said to great laughter. "Then we say I would tap that with the light on."

There probably weren't many guys (and no doubt more than a few women) in the audience who wouldn't jump at the chance to tap Neko Case.

Her set rolled through so many beautiful songs (including the sad ones she said make her cry in rehearsal); she got big reactions to "Don't Forget Me," "Porchlight" and "Hold On," saving "Favorite" for part of the encore.

She must be a favorite of mine considering how many places and times I've seen her (and that doesn't even count with the New Pornographers).

I attribute it to that absolutely unique voice (which was in fine form tonight) and her repertoire of lost love songs.

She makes the perfect music to listen to when you want to wallow in what you don't have.

And if Neko Case is still working on getting it right, no wonder it's not falling in my lap.

Tap-worthy or not.