July 28, 2001 -

Reviews by...
Joe Dimaria
Jimmy Warburton
mfkeohan

Here's the set list in order:

Eurotrash Girl
Ain't That Strange
Teen Angst
Wedding Day (David on bass)
Pictures of Matchstick Men
Sweet Thistle Pie (LP singing backup)
LP solo song
Been Around the World
Get Off This (LP singing backup, fuck the pie rap, everyone improvising)
Lonesome Johnny Blues
Low (encore, broken string)
Heaven Knows I'm Lonely (encore)

This was a radio station sponsored free outdoor show, so it's difficult to estimate how many people were there. Maybe 1,000, probably much more actually, but I really have no idea. It's also tough to tell how many people were there to see Cracker, but I'd say the majority were, or if not, at least they were well behaved so it wasn't obvious if they didn't give a damn.

The band sounded great, but this was a short set. I forgot that they played at the Kharma Club, I think early last year. It was the time before that at the WBCN show on Lansdowne Street where David got all pissed off at the guy in the audience who was either talking during the songs or laughing or something. David was calling him "the fat guy", asking him what he was saying, and basically made a total ass out of this guy by proving him a complete moron. However from that point on, I felt that David was like a time bomb waiting to explode and that he couldn't wait to get out of there. I was standing right in front of the crowd barrier so I could hear him saying things, and in one of the last songs, he was singing something like "you're all losers" away from the microphone and was no longer talking to the crowd between songs. It was pretty bad. Anyhow, because that whole night made such an impression on me, I couldn't believe it tonight when he was saying how Boston is a great city and they need to play here more. Maybe the Kharma Club show last year helped to heal the wounds!

Anyway, every time I've seen them they've been great, so it's hard to compare. Tonight was a good time, it was just way too short, but there was nothing they could do. David actually said at the end something like "we can't really do ourselves justice only playing for an hour and 15 minutes, there's just no way we can express ourselves. Come see us at a club when we can play for three hours."

I'd like to do that soon.

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Cracker rocked the plaza tonite in Boston! Opening with a crowd assisted,inspired Euro Trash Girl,Rolling thru a set consisting of Pictures of matchstick Men,Teen Angst,Get off This,Lonesome Johnny Blues,Low,and many more gems,David ,Johnny, Kenny,LP,and Frank with Daves cousin on Bass...drove the crowd to a frenzy...I never stopped dancing! This was my first live show with Cracker,but I've been listening for 10 years.....before that I knew of Camper Van B. So I knew the songs,and a great selection it was , for this half show. David's throat was visably strained,but never let the crowd down pouring his soul into the bulk of the vocal work,Johnny stepped to the edge of the stage numerous times to challenge the audience with his guitar slinging....Kenny added a nice touch with the acordian on many of the songs,LP was fantastic!.....the band was tight! ....I'll say it again...THATS A GOOD CRACKER!......Jimmy Warburton,Jerusalem,RI

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I just wanted to thank the band for appearing. I know this is long overdue, but the show was like a fresh breeze from the ocean. Before work (I was working as a security guard at the time), waiting to start an overnight shift I caught the show. The promotional nature of the concert made it appear that we waited around for a long time and had a lot of PayDay candy bars they were handing out. PayDay Candy Bars. I have my souvenir. Went with a friend and I can't remember hearing "Pictures of Matchstickmen" I thought I would because on Garage D'Or it appears and I like it. Some of the highlights when they opened with Euro Trash Girl. Teen Angst when the whole show connected to the audience with everyone getting into the Chorus of Nah Nah's.I was up on the stairs facing the stage for a while and we decided to try to get to the sides, it was a free concert so it was packed in front. People asked who is this band playing and they sound good. City Hall Plaza is across the street from Fanueil Hall Marketplace so people who had not fled to the Cape and stayed in town for the weekend. (I used to do that when I was broke.) could see Cracker and then go to a Bar or Bars down there. The concert was timed right I think the Band should be congratulated for appearing. I don't know how these radio shows work but the expense involved must have cost somebody. Thank You People not necessarily club goers miss out, unless it is free or out doors how many people would get to see the show. The idea that a rock band can play at City Hall for everyone without merchandising and having to park cars all over the asphalt and the place is easy to get to by subway was beneficial to fans. Three stations within a block. You have State-Haymarket-Government Center. Park Street Station is only Five minutes on foot. So we are talking Ecological and Humanitarian (Anyone in the City on a Summer Evening deserves a Medal) The Concrete radiates heat! The Weather was seasonably comfortable no heat wave but still the gesture is appreciated. I know I'm a Fan and so are some friends, we are going to the show at the Paradise on March 9. I have the new album and I like it a lot. Shine is a great Song my favorite is Brides of Neptune. Reminds me of the short song on Garage D'or called (Something)Mary or Mary (Something). I like Sick of Good-byes because it reminds me of leaving the Corps de la Paix and losing track of other volunteers, that was the first Album I bought (Gentlemen's Blues) I hope the band likes Beantown because they are true originals and a city warms to those who cast off pretension and sing the truth.

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