just saw the innocence mission on saturday at club
cafe live in pittsburgh, and the show was AMAZING!
this was the second time i've seen them in concert
(the first was as an opening act for natalie merchant
back in '95 or '96), and now i remember why i needed
to see them again - definitely one of the best
concerts i've ever attended.

what really struck me is karen's "live" voice - it is
literally clear as a bell; strong or subtle, depending
on the need at the moment; and just a wonder to hear.
beautiful... don's guitar work is just awesome, and
mike's bass/background vocals are the perfect final
element.

the set was a nice mix of new and older - following is
a rough set list. this isn't in order, and i'm
relatively sure that i got every song (but forgive me
if i didn't):

Tomorrow On The Runway
I Never Knew You From The Sun
Beautiful Change
One For Sorrow, Two For Joy
Sweep Down Early
Today
Where Does The Time Go?
The Lakes Of Canada
You Are The Light
I Haven't Seen This Day Before
Going Away
Keeping Awake
Bright As Yellow
Brave

i was hoping for "when mac was swimming" - one of my
favorites from "befriended." but i was just happy to
hear that some "glow" and "birds" songs made the cut!


the setting was very intimate - i was probably 20 feet
away from the band, and the maximum distance was maybe
120 feet. karen's stage presence exuded kindness,
humility, and great happiness - a lot of smiling and
occasional "shy" banter. kind of like the anti-pop
star, which i love!

i only wish that the band could have played longer!
(they played about an hour, including one encore - i'm
hoping that i didn't miss a second encore, as we left
when the house lights came up and the club's stereo
started playing.)

my recommendation? if it's at all possible for you to
see the innocence mission live, DO IT. it seems like
the opportunity is getting more and more rare, so now
that they're doing a mini-tour (and i do mean mini),
you really don't want to miss them.

take care,

jason

p.s. would love to read other views/reactions...


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