Review: m Ward @ Cafe Montmarte in Madison, WI
Posted: Fri Apr 22, 2005 5:37 pm
Such a big fan of m Ward that I am, and broke as hell to boot, I still bought an extra ticket for my friend Jack Chiefton so he could experience m live.
I saw m Ward about four times when I lived in Los Angeles a couple years ago. I was introduced to him when he gladly lent his song "Carolina" to a terrible short film I was sound editing for. When we asked him if he had seen the film yet (6 months) after it was sent to him, he apologized and said "no, I don't have a DVD player." The director said "Oh you gotta get one, everybody's got one." m replied,"yeah, it's just that I feel like I have too many electronics in my house already."
m Ward truly is a throwback. If you haven't heard him yet I can only do my best to describe his music as an eerie, 30's radio broadcast that comes to you from very far away. From a place you can only imagine is much more beautiful and meaningful than the world we live in today. Okay that being said I was stoked.
m hid out in a bar down the street before his was on, drinking Anchor Steams and enjoying the anonymity that the brilliance of his music won't afford him anymore. He came on silently, head bowed for over a minute while the crowd made a joke of shhhshing eachother. He opened with his phenomenal cover of Bowie's "Let's Dance." It pretty much knocked me off my feet. The first time I saw him in L.A., he played the song and me and my wife at the time danced alone in the center of the floor. One of my best memories from my time in L.A. When we were done he had remarked, "If I knew people were going to dance, I would have brought a drummer."
His last couple albums "Transfiguration of Vincent" and "Transister Radio" have shown his composing growth and now most of his songs require a band. He still doesn't have a dedicated band though. Instead he is able to adapt and incorporate what ever band he is opening for, or now, whatever band is opening for him. Whether it be "Bright Eyes" or "My Morning Jacket," he is able to seamlessly perform his songs with new musicians. This is because he is such a talented musician. Enough cannot be said for his guitar playing. The things he does, like playing the piano and guitar parts when there is no piano around, are remarkable.
After a very reflective, acoustic first set, he brought out musicians from the two opening acts and really let loose, tearing it up with "Big Boat" and "Flaming Heart." Unlike the Iron & Wine show I saw the night earlier, when someone shouted out a song, he quickly changed plans and tunings and met the request.
m Ward is still quite unkown but slowly that is changing. He's selling out every venue with limited promotion and lot's of word of mouth. His crackly ageless voice brings to mind Tom Waits and Louis Armstrong but with even more sincerity.
Obviously I recommend seeing him when he comes to your town. Here are his remaining tour dates for the spring.
http://www.mergerecords.com/band.php?to ... &band_id=8
I saw m Ward about four times when I lived in Los Angeles a couple years ago. I was introduced to him when he gladly lent his song "Carolina" to a terrible short film I was sound editing for. When we asked him if he had seen the film yet (6 months) after it was sent to him, he apologized and said "no, I don't have a DVD player." The director said "Oh you gotta get one, everybody's got one." m replied,"yeah, it's just that I feel like I have too many electronics in my house already."
m Ward truly is a throwback. If you haven't heard him yet I can only do my best to describe his music as an eerie, 30's radio broadcast that comes to you from very far away. From a place you can only imagine is much more beautiful and meaningful than the world we live in today. Okay that being said I was stoked.
m hid out in a bar down the street before his was on, drinking Anchor Steams and enjoying the anonymity that the brilliance of his music won't afford him anymore. He came on silently, head bowed for over a minute while the crowd made a joke of shhhshing eachother. He opened with his phenomenal cover of Bowie's "Let's Dance." It pretty much knocked me off my feet. The first time I saw him in L.A., he played the song and me and my wife at the time danced alone in the center of the floor. One of my best memories from my time in L.A. When we were done he had remarked, "If I knew people were going to dance, I would have brought a drummer."
His last couple albums "Transfiguration of Vincent" and "Transister Radio" have shown his composing growth and now most of his songs require a band. He still doesn't have a dedicated band though. Instead he is able to adapt and incorporate what ever band he is opening for, or now, whatever band is opening for him. Whether it be "Bright Eyes" or "My Morning Jacket," he is able to seamlessly perform his songs with new musicians. This is because he is such a talented musician. Enough cannot be said for his guitar playing. The things he does, like playing the piano and guitar parts when there is no piano around, are remarkable.
After a very reflective, acoustic first set, he brought out musicians from the two opening acts and really let loose, tearing it up with "Big Boat" and "Flaming Heart." Unlike the Iron & Wine show I saw the night earlier, when someone shouted out a song, he quickly changed plans and tunings and met the request.
m Ward is still quite unkown but slowly that is changing. He's selling out every venue with limited promotion and lot's of word of mouth. His crackly ageless voice brings to mind Tom Waits and Louis Armstrong but with even more sincerity.
Obviously I recommend seeing him when he comes to your town. Here are his remaining tour dates for the spring.
http://www.mergerecords.com/band.php?to ... &band_id=8