Keller Williams, the WMD'S, Nelson Ledges 08/17

show was announced recently, apparently a show scheduled for dayton was moved north. when we saw keller as part of the gratefulfest two weeks ago, we got the lowdown -- two sets with the wmds on a wednesday night in september. it was a given.

headed up to garrettsville with lou for the show, about five miles from where i went to college. got there at about five for an eight show, set up the tent, met up with mr. johnson and hmfc. walked over to the stage, wandering about where no more than twenty wannabe hipsters. this was looking good. as sissie showed up, i could count all of the people there for the show using piano keys.

the show started at eight on the dot. lins and i lingered about ten feet from the stage for about three minutes, we lurched forward at the first sign of someone stepping in front of our invisible horizontal. that is where we stayed for the first hour and a half, the first set. took a bluegrass acoustic sideline for about four songs. a brilliant set. mr. stage-hand gave me the setlist for the first set, which varies only slightly from what was actually played.

looked behind us, about two hundred or so kids now. sat up by the stage for the set break. second set started and it was truly amazing. keller was hilarious, cracking the band up, and gibb droll was on fire. another hour and a half, including the encore.

highlights below:

kiwi and the apricot, first set. i love this beautiful love song.

bob rules, with a high time center piece, first set. instead of the normal dream sequence for the price is right backstage, keller decides to take the 84 corvette with the t-tops for a ride down the 5, rockets off into space, runs into a tie-dyed space pod that held none other than jerry garcia, and jam it out before getting back to bob.

brave captain, first set.

keller called it poser bluegrass, i loved the four song piece featuring mandolin, banjo, and porta pottie, first set.

pepper, second set. a true crowd sing-a-long to that song from my youth.

gallivanting, second set. a jazzy song to learn your keys by. keller did a few riffs from other songs to keep it going for a bit. my favorite is the G, the "people's key."

once in a lifetime, second set. you've got me going with any talking heads song, for all of those that wish to serenade me.

breathe -> temple -> breathe, encore. the song breathe is just beautiful with a band, but the true highlight was the nepalese temple balls. although i know nothing about hash, i do love that song...