Grizzly Bear @ New York Society For Ethical Culture, NYC 11/3/07
Grizzly Bear were simply phenomenal Saturday night. The Wordless Music folks -- they of the series "that pairs rock and electronic musicians in an intimate setting with more traditionally understood classical and chamber performers" -- invited the band to play the NY Society For Ethical Cutlure building, a cozy, seated space with a church-like vibe up on 64th and Central Park West. "Thanks for coming. This is our first headlining seated gig in NYC," they said a few songs in. Guess that made it their first headlining standing ovation in NYC, too.
As mentioned, Grizzly's taking a well deserved year off from playing; this was to be their last proper show, with an appearance with backing choir set for Conan for tonight. Unfortunately, the O'Brien slot's been canceled due to the Writers Guild strike -- but really they couldn't have gone out on a better note. Before the show word got out that Paul Simon was introducing himself to the band backstage; during the show, Dan and Chris Bear encored with their singular take on "Graceland." Earlier, Paul told 'em he was soon curating a two-week music series at BAM featuring artists covering Simon songs. Good timing.
The NY Marathon was the next morning, so the surrounding streets were crackling with global tourists' excitement, fireworks in the sky, police keeping the peace, all of which made the reverent hush and awe of the SFEC building's that much more apparent and immediate, and Grizzly filled the space gorgeously. The awesome Friend EP was celebrated (check the quilt draped in back), the band opening with "Alligator (Choir Version)" without the choir or the brass fanfare, performing "Deep Blue Sea," and otherwise delivering a stunning set of Yellow House tunes. We've seen GB too many times to count this year; the first times you see 'em live after Yellow House leave a mark, but this was the most magical yet. They encored with a Beatles-y new song (set for the next album). "One of our best NYC shows," Ed later said. "So happy: sold out, great space and crowd, PAUL SIMON!" Nobody got Grizzly Simon pic, but pretty sure everybody'll remember it, even without one.
Few more notes: Not on the schedule yet, but the Wordless Music folks announced David Byrne would be back in that space for a WM show in February (keep your eye on the schedule). See the summer in Grizzly touring through Ed's eyes via his behind-the-scenes pics and commentary from the road at Harp and the Grizzly blog. Stream the excellent Friend EP in full at MySpace. NYT and Ryan Schrieber love it, understandably. And expect this one to place high on Stereogum's Favorite Live Gigs of '07. Jump for more pics.
Posted at 10:38 AM in Concert
Tags: Grizzly Bear | Paul Simon
they were stunning on saturday. stunning
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Why do I have to live in the UK... I mean, why?
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show of the year, band of the year. with their blog-friendliness and the amount of press they get, it's easy to lose sight of the fact that this is the best band, making the biggest leaps, creating the most original and moving music, out there.
i'm a big fan of the acts we have out there these days, the ones we can call "ours," but there aren't many we'll be talking about in ten years, twenty years, thirty years time.
grizzly bear is a band for the ages.
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couldn't have said it better francis bean, I think this band has big time longevity.
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ny society for ethical culture? seriously?
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You took the words out of my mouth, francis bean. You say ten years, twenty years, thirty years... but perhaps Grizzly Bear is the greatest rock and roll band of a generation. Only time will tell, but this blogger wouldn't bet against it.
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I think they're okay on record, but I saw them open for the Books and they were blown off the stage. By a band that plays along to pre-recorded tracks and videos. A band that never moves once. I'm sorry, but the band of a generation? A generation?! That's like 15-20 years. So no, say, Radiohead or the Lips or even Low (similar but better?) or, hell, I could keep naming names here. The greatest rock and roll band of a generation. Huh.
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big gray--u need to see them again that shit was ages ago
the books suck
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The Books are amazing
Grizzly Bear are also sweet, but don't bash The Books, they are doing things that no one has ever done before and kicking ass at the same time!
-Jaco
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you mean kareoke?
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I saw a very good review of it
http://megauploadfiles.com/
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