July 4, 2000 -

Reviews by...
Matt
Soraya
Kristin
Scot
PHaley

Just got back from the show today at Grant Park. Here's a mostly complete set list, though the order is likely off a bit. Please correct and forgive me if I omitted any songs. For once, a moderately cool 4th of July in Chicago, with little sun. And though it wasn't too crowded to begin with, after the Tragically Hip fans filed out, it was even less so when Cracker played. Guess the lesson here is, don't believe the hype about Taste.

      1.Mr. Wrong 
      2.7 Days (LP on backup vox) 
      3.How Can I Live Without You 
      4.Eurotrash Girl 
      5.Cinderella (LP) 
      6.Sweet Thistle Pie (LP again on backup vox) 
      7.Teen Angst (WTWNN) 
      8.Wedding Day (Johnny and Brandy duet, David on bass, as they have been doing) 
      9.Big Dipper 
     10.Be My Love 
     11.This Is Cracker Soul 
     12.Pictures of Matchstick Men 
     13.Low (yet another string broken by David) 
     14.Perfect (LP) 
 

Yes, the pleasant surprise of this show was the appearance of LP. Wow. I haven't had a chance to catch up on the reviews from this weekend, so I don't know if her appearance was a freak thing or what. Either way, she took the show over on her songs. Even my friends and my wife, who are vaguely familiar with Cracker but had no idea who LP was, were mightily impressed with her performance. I dug the hidden track on GB and the mp3's I've heard, but I don't think any recording does justice to her vocals; she MUST be heard live.

Also impressive was their decision to skip the encore crap and play straight through, as they've done in Chicago before. Very smart since they were given only an hour and a half to play, even though they were the last band up there. As a result, they finished at a ridiculously early 7:30. Perhaps the organizers were trying to beat the rain that appeared to be coming, though it only sprinkled.

Anyone else on the list at the show? I thought the security was extemely polite, even though they were pretty strict in keeping people out of the aisles. One even danced with a couple of the fans.

Johnny took a moment to thank Chicago for supporting Cracker from the beginning. That was sweet, and it's good to hear his mother is out of the hospital.

Anyway, the show was, as always, a splendid waste of time.

--Matt

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Matthew--thanks SO much for taking down the Chicago set list--I flaked.

This year's Taste was indeed, all about Girl Power. This is the first time I have heard Brandy featured like she was in Wedding Day, her very rich vocals a great complement to Johnny's. She came through strong and beautiful--and her body language is really starting to come out--this sort of black-clad old school rock and roll diva thing, very bass player, very about the groove. And LP ... my GOD ... I've never seen her perform live before--I've heard all of these things, and yet you can't believe her until you see her--the rapport she has with Cracker is just amazing--from the "woman power" moments where she and Brandy grooved side by side, to her singing into mikes with both David and Johnny--she's this curly-haired powerhouse that slinks like a lynx, into these explosive vocal outbursts that just blow your mind.

WOW! What a show. I never like the sound on outdoor shows, but this one was a real exception. A great set list, too.

Not to discount the excellence of the guys this time--they, of course, rocked the house--Big Dipper was just amazing. David tapped into something there that seemed almost too perfect--a tough vibe to create in such a festival setting, but he did it. Johnny was great in some shiny pajamas--although obviously missing his wireless, which was not working that day. He still got plenty of mobility in though, much to the delight of those of us down in front.

It's too bad the crowd was so weak--strange that the overcast skies sent people home--what, did they WANT 105-degree heat? It's like a tradition in Chicago, I think. Anyway, great show. Chicago will have them back soon enough, anyway.

--sfr

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Matt..you got the setlist mostly correct. :) I taped the XRT broadcast and already converted it to cd. If anyone wants a copy, feel free to e-mail me.

      1.Mr. Wrong 
      2.Seven Days 
      3.How Can I Live Without You 
      4.Euro-Trash Girl 
      5.Teen Angst 
      6.Be My Love 
      7.Wedding Day 
      8.Cinderella 
      9.Sweet Thistle Pie 
     10.Take Me Down to the Infirmary 
     11.This is Cracker Soul 
     12.Big Dipper 
     13.Pictures of Matchstick Men 
     14.Low 
     15.Perfect (LP song) 
 

~Kristin :)

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The 4th of July show was my first Cracker show. It was a blast. I was so happy to hear "Big Dipper" and "How Can I Live Without You" which are two of my favorites. It's a shame they had a time limit, so they had to cut it short. However, they are coming back to town on July 30, so I'll be there. In terms of opening songs, I enjoyed "Mr. Wrong" into "Seven Days" at the show. "Seven Days" has such strong driving beat. Those two songs provide a good intro to the band.
Scot

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I was in Chicago visiting a friend and as a bonus I got to see Cracker for the second time on the Garage D'Tour. The first was in Boston (you're my home). The sets were similar but, hell, who cares? Cracker is my favorite existing band (with the demise of the placemats.) I suffered through The Tragically Dull but it was worth it. The real bonus was seeing L.P. This woman has a stage presence reminiscent of Janis Joplin. She makes love to the microphone and her voice is extraordinary! It was a great thrill to see her live after having heard her on GBlues and the mp3's on the Cracker page. I made a my girlfriend a convert to the religion of Cracker. Johnny's green suit (pajamas?) was cool.

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