I was very excited when I first heard that Howard Jones was bringing his VH1 sponsored acoustic show to Shank Hall in Milwaukee! For one, it's a fantastically intimate venue. Second, I hadn't seen Howard live since 1987 at Poplar Creek (Illinois). There were thousands at that show and we could barely see HJ behind his keyboard. However, tonight I got to sit maybe 20 feet from him in this tiny venue.
If you saw how many notes I took at this show you'd laugh. I think I literally wrote down everything. So, this review will be detailed but keep in mind that I actually left a lot out!
Before the live performance they played all Howard Jones music. Honestly, I can’t recall that happening at any of the shows I have been to before – and there are countless of them. Although at first I thought it was odd to play the same artist I ended up liking it. They played the latest studio album, ‘Revolution Of The Heart.’ I hadn’t heard it yet and now I have... and may I add that it’s a solid album! So, I'm thrilled they introduced it to me.
David, the witty (but seemingly insincere) manager, came on stage to introduce the fellas. He mentioned that their vehicle got towed away in Chicago last night and that he was sure that wouldn’t have happened here in Milwaukee! Poor guys. He also said that the last time Howard played Wisconsin was in 1999 at the State Fair. He then presented the cds available for purchase and explained a little about each one. At one point David said, “He’s returning to his electronic roots.”
David asked for a warm Milwaukee welcome. The crowd cheered quite enthusiastically as Howard and Robin Boult (guitar) came out. Howard was wearing a black dress shirt, thin grayish-silver tie, slim black slacks and a long black jacket. I was quickly distracted, however, by Robin's melon-sized diamond earring stud. “Well, well. It’s a fantastic pleasure to be here tonight. You’re looking good,” said Howard.
Song #1
'Someone You Need' - HJ talked about how he wrote this song with Duncan Sheik at Mr. Copeland’s (record exec.?) chateau in France. It sounds like a bunch of musicians went there and collaborated with each other over a weekend, a songwriting event of sorts. Anyway, Howard said that you’d get paired up with someone and in the morning you’d write a song, in the afternoon you’d rehearse it and at night you’d perform it. Can you imagine being a guest at one of these events?
Song #2
'Like To Get To Know You Well' - He told a funny story about how he wanted to translate the song into many languages. One of the translations made was in Japanese. He received a frantic phone call in the middle of the night from Tokyo. The man on the phone was upset as he warned Howard, “Cannot release! Cannot release! Ruin Career.” Well, it turned out that they accidentally translated the title to mean “I’d Like To Force Myself Upon You."
Having the great personality Howard does, he snuck that mistranslation in mid-song for fun.
Song #3
'Love’s Never Wasted' - An unreleased song that Howard plans on recording later this year. He said that the song means that love will come back to you and in the strangest ways sometimes. He stated, “I’ve got a daughter who will be 18 on Monday.” He explained that it had just occurred to him that “love’s never wasted” may be something he’ll say to her after her first horrible experience (with love).
Song #4
‘Pearl In The Shell’ – off of his first album. He finished the song in a way that was a tribute to Prince. He praised Prince and said he’s seen him live many times, including the last one at Wembley. He stated that Prince wore see-through trousers at that show. “I decided not to be influenced by that. I don’t wear trousers at all,” Howard joked. The audience roared.
Song #5
'Straight Ahead' - A song somewhat inspired by Rodgers and Hammerstein's 'You'll Never Walk Alone.'
Song #6
'Don’t Always Look At The Rain' – another song from the first album.
HJ said that his son Joseph is 30 years old now and recently married. So, he wanted to give the song a bit of a face-lift. I think the original version of the song mentions a very young Joseph. Howard & Robin said that the updated version has a Dave Brubeck and Van Morrison feel to it. I love the new version! HJ also snuck in the line “it’s a wonderful night for a moondance.”
Song #7
‘The Prisoner’ – Howard said it’s a song about a person who goes around taking pictures of someone without them knowing. “Why did I write a song about a stalker? I’ve never had a stalker. Maybe that’s why," he joked. He warned the audience that this is not the most appropriate song to do an acoustic version of, being that it’s a bit “heavy metal” in HJ terms. It turned out marvelously!!!
Song #8
'Say It Like You Mean It' - HJ laughed as he said that many people have told him, in regards to the title of this song, “that’s what my girlfriend keeps telling me.”
Song #9
'Everlasting Love' - Upon the first few keys being played the crowd started to go absolutely nuts! Nearly everyone in the audience sang along with the chorus - including all the 20, 30, and 40 year old men! It was nice to see everyone having such a great time.
Howard and Robin (aka The Itch) left the stage and David returned to inform the audience of a 20 to 25 minute break before the 2nd half... and here I thought it was almost over! I took the opportunity to listen to what people around me were saying about the show. All I heard was praise like: "Gosh they sound great," "Howard looks exactly the same," "This is amazing, dude," "I just talked to David, he's so cool," "This is the best gig I have ever seen," "Acoustic? It's like there's 5 guys up there (not 2),"...
Song #10
Howard and Robin returned to the stage after a very short time (seemed less than 20 minutes). What professionals! Howard even had time to completely change - into another black outfit. Robin did a seriously fantastic guitar intro to the song ‘Dreamin’ On.’
Song #11
‘Tomorrow Is Now’ – a song HJ wrote with Jane Wiedlin
(Go-Go’s). He stated that this was written, "under duress," at the Copeland Chateau discussed earlier. He added that they don’t perform this song live very often. Lucky us! Unfortunately, Howard made a uncomplimentary comment at Jane's expense. It did get a laugh, but I felt it was a bit cruel... and not very professional.
Song #12
‘Exodus’ - This song went into 'Come Together' by The Beatles. Someone in the audience asked which “Beatle” Howard was. I must have gotten it wrong because I swear he said “a Butter Beatle.” Yeah, I must be incorrect. Actually, maybe he said "a better Beatle." I didn't really care for this version BUT everything else has been amazing so far! I haven't really said that yet have I? It has... it's been a magnificent show thus far. They sound great!!!
Song #13
‘Dream Into Action’ - HJ said that originally his record company told him there were no hits on this album. Hah?! In a state of panic, and trying to write a hit record over Christmas, he wrote ‘Life In One Day.’ He certainly showed them didn't he?
Song #14
'Life In One Day' - The guys had fun getting the audience to participate. Howard gave us some much needed vocal training to set us up for chorus greatness.
Song #15
'No One Is To Blame' - HJ told us about the time he had lunch in San Francisco with a record company exec. The exec asked Howard what he thought about all the amazing looking women in CA. Howard acknowledged the fact but said "I got my Jan and am very happy." The exec replied, "You can look at the menu but you just can't eat." Howard told us that hadn't heard that term before and assumed it was a common American saying. He then added, something to the effect, that despite having one special person in your life the fact remains that you "dig" lots of people. "It's a truth no one discusses."
Song #16
'What Is Love?' - After a marvelous performance of this song they leave the stage. The audience immediately starts to beg for an encore... and all I can think is how amazing these two musicians are. This has been a consistently
brilliant show! At this point I got out of my seat and found a wall to lean on.
Song #17
'Things Can Only Get Better' - HJ jokes about some similarities between this song and a certain Spice Girls hit. If you require clarification, the Spice Girls came second. He then asked how we felt about "Beck and Posh" moving to the U.S. The audience could clearly give a darn. Howard and Robin giggled at our response, or lack of.
I found myself pondering AGAIN why I follow rules... flash photography was restricted and clearly posted as such. So, I didn't take pictures for the review. However, flashes were going off all over the place throughout the entire show and without consequence. Perhaps I will learn from this and take them regardless.
Song #18
'New Song' - Robin and Howard spoke of Radio 1's comparisons made to Peter Gabriel's 'Salisbury Hill'. They played bits of each song in attempt to prove that they are very different from one another. It was very interesting and I'm not sure where I stand on that one!
So, my money was very well spent. I mean 18 songs were played & many great stories went along with them. Despite Howard coming off as a bit egotistical once in awhile, it was a Storytellers show afterall... and he sounded amazing! If they're on their way to you, get tix now!!!
Links:
Official Howard Jones
Official HJ MySpace
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