Voice guitar and fan bells

Just so you know, the title of this entry was very nearly "I love Nels Cline" - because I do. Anyway! Sunday night was Glenn Kotche and Nels Cline's last show on their brief "Alone/Together" tour, at the Black Orchid in Chicago. It also served as Glenn's sort-of-official album release show, since he said it was the first proper hometown show he'd played since Mobile came out. Apparently the album had sold so well on tour that this album release show had a whopping four available for sale.

Although we were the fourth or fifth group seated, Lou and I were led to a two-seat table up against the stage. We were practically in Nels and Glenn's (collective?) lap. I'm not complaining, but it was a bit startling at first. When Nels broke a string during his set and it hung down from the guitar, I could have reached up from my chair and grabbed it. (I didn't.)

Sunday's show was very similar to the first show Nels and Glenn played together in Milwaukee, although nobody shaved onstage this time. Nels played a fascinating set to open, though it seemed a little on the short side. His playing ranged from melodic to shrieking and crashing, screaming into the guitar, manipulating pedals, coaxing an AC/DC-esque riff without actually touching the guitar. Glenn was up next, playing his standard(ly awesome) solo set - no "Taisho" this time, but the Monkey Chant was played along with a short Monkey Chant film for, Glenn said, only the third time. Nels came back out to join Glenn for "Karen Koltrane" and a Nels original, "Caved-in Heart Blues". I can't wait for that song to be released on something I can own.