setlist

• Optimistic (Radiohead): pro forma introduction at this point. I loved this song instantly and continue to appreciate "If you try the best you can The best you can is good enough" . . . it's the rebuttal to "Strong Enough to Break." The conversation of these two opening numbers holds symmetrical beauty.
• Dancin' in the Wind: I was slightly afraid that this second song would unravel even more my friend's curiosity in a concert where she was expecting MMMBop-like songs. Am I wrong to draw a connection between this title and Chicago's nickname? (c; Honestly, I missed Zac's headbanging. But as the consummate professional--if he had a raging headache, the stomach flu, a sinus infection . . . whatever . . . the fact that he was pounding on anything for over an hour is a physical feat beyond my comprehension. Get well, Zac!
• A Minute without You: A sentimental favorite that opens the floodgates to "1440 is the number of minutes in a day"; to the cheesy intro, "You know we can't live . . . "; to the Live from Albertane "Oh oh oh oooh"s . . . This song rocks!
• Thinking of You: This song felt like a special gift. For years, I've loved its soulful texture in concert. Coupled with the sentimental, "we composed it when we were supposed to be doing chores" history, the sweet memory lane factor is astronomical. And the 3 beats in the bridge = concert fun!
• Love Somebody to Know: Bubblicious! (cliche but true)
• If Only: the harmonica, the harmonica!
• Look at You: Hanson's love for this song continues to charm the shoes off their listeners . . .
• Being Me: I whispered to my friend during this Isaac solo, "Isaac has been through a lot of heartbreak." It's his burden. For some reason, this song makes me think of Kermit on a swampy log in a Muppet Movie.
• Love Me (Elvis): Taylor introduced his solo by saying something like (I couldn't hear clearly because the acoustics were questionable with a lot of reverberation): "This one is by The King. Be Kind." A reference to "Don't Be Cruel"? I grinned.
• Underneath: My evening became even sweeter when Taylor seemed to make a conscious effort to pause before the crucial lyric, "skin" (This sounds so neurotic, but the line "the fear of losing you beneath my skin" seemed rushed when I heard it in New York).
• Hand in Hand: What more can I say about Isaac's love for this song, except endearing. I'm still holding out--waiting for the breakthrough when my distaste for this song is overcome by Isaac's ardent emotion.
• Dream Girl: Originally, I did not recognize this song although it felt familiar. A possible cover? A version of Feelin' Alright? Back at home, I replayed the hanson.net DVD 2.1 and heard the mellow and charming notes, making the connection. Just extremely pleasant as the cool night air and the white tent of the Skyline Stage combined to make it feel like the summer outdoor concert that it was.
• Where's the Love: This song was recognizable to my friend, but she did not participate in the "round and round" arm motions . . . why? ::smile::
• Gimme Some Lovin': The Blues Brothers came home--this seemed like an homage to Chicago, with grapevine tribute to one of the band's favorite movies.
• Crazy Beautiful: The introduction feels like your blood starting to bubble as it prepares to froth up, in anticipation of a Hanson concert.
  
  As you've probably heard, at this point, Zac steps down to tap Taylor. Taylor then signals two fingers to Isaac and announces, "Boys and girls, we would like to play all night for you, but the next song is going to have to be our last" (something along these lines).
  
  
• Lost without Each Other: Before the show, the adorable girls next to us told me that the song they were hoping to hear was, "Well, we don't know the name, but it's track #6" and they held up an open hand and a thumb. When the band launched the unmistakable opening beats of this song, I tapped them and grinning, we all held up the same five fingers and thumb. They were ecstatic. Despite the concert being cut short, I was so happy that Hanson managed to squeeze this one in for these fans.
  Note: I told the girls, the song I wanted to hear was "Every Word I Say" which they were not aware of. After our conversation they were resolved to go out and purchase the "Penny and Me" single very soon.
  
  Encore
• In The City: I was secretly hoping for "MMMBop." Hanson, in their collective wisdom, came up with a better idea. The explosive energy of this song (not played in NYC, it feels more celebratory than framed with knowing glances) included pogo jumping along with Taylor. His leap off the piano was the only trace of the writhing New York power. Although it sprung loose in the finale, he had seemed less frenetic. In New York, the frequent body contact with the stage appeared stunning to someone from the Midwest.
  

This setlist unfolded like the pieces of a giant puzzle coming together for me. Isaac instructed in a recent FUTY that we check off the songs we hear at each tour stop in our tour book* (see below for more thoughts on this purchase). But I prefer to make lists of my own . . . this way I experience more half full than half empty.

dancin' in the wind
To this Chicago concert, I took a friend who only knew Hanson for "MMMBop." She just simply loves going to concerts (Jimmy Buffet, Madonna, No Doubt, The Indigo Girls, Sarah MacLachlan, etc.). Ironically, this is the only show I've ever attended where the signature song was not played (due to a curfew restriction and/or Zac not feeling up to par? ::shrug::).

My friend was not disappointed. After the show, she walked away with two things: 1) an autographed copy of Michael Tolcher's album--"Lesa, So original, I hope you dig this-Michael" (a true entertainer with a voice like Toad the Wet Sprocket) and 2) her comment, "I have never been to a concert where the people loved the band so much!" She agreed that Hanson had put on a "good show." She noted that when songs began, she kept thinking it was a cover because they sounded so familiar . . .

After the show, she speculated about what Zac might have said to Taylor that cut the concert short (I had mentioned to Lesa that in a recent interview this past week, Zac confessed he was sick), "Do you think Zac said, 'I'm about to puke. I think we should end this?'" ::grin:: Even non-fans can't resist the drama.

Lesa was also amused that, pen and paper in hand, I kept track of the setlist. She's considering doing the same at her next concert. I'm so happy she not only hung in there with me, but considers the experience "a highlight of the summer" since this setlist is clearly composed for the devoted fan.

twelve nights since you ran away
When it comes to Hanson, I feel like I'm in a tumultuous relationship. After I got back from NYC, I had a heart-to-heart with several friends about the level of my Hanson devotion and a need to reign things in. Excerpt from email to Carrie:

I know this sounds strange, but my stomach was kind of turned after the New York show regarding being such a devoted concert goer. I feel almost like the carnival surrounding the concerts changes me into someone who is never satisfied. The music is definitely awesome, but the pursuit has changed me in ways that make me feel like a stranger to myself. It's an internal battle that I've experienced from the beginning of my fanhood . . . sometimes caving in and sometimes making resolutions to be stronger. This is not a judgment on other fans--it's an understanding I came to while in New York. I'm not completely sure why.

don't go telling me you're alright
In an odd twist of fate that set the Hanson fan planets in line again, I happened to sit behind the woman I saw at the House of Blues whose binoculars had been borrowed by a young Hanson sibling. When I recognized her, we chatted for awhile and she acknowledged that she indeed had been among the people in the 21+ section that night last November. Sans magnifying lenses at this concert, this woman who could easily be a member of the purple hat society, swayed with her hands above her head to just about every song. Long live fan diversity!

And of course, I ran into Jenn who knows why the Pontiac concert last summer remains my favorite show. She will also be at my last show this tour. Kalamazoo is only an hour away from my home--the closest Hanson has come to where I live in Michigan. It hardly seems possible.

there's no room for getting uptight
The "pop" and "fffzzzzz crackle . . . bang!" of colorful explosives greeted us as we poured out from the venue into the Venetian Festival. All around us people were gathering for a ferris wheel, funnel cake, fireworks . . . a real carnival. Old boats were decorated in Broadway themes. A Hanson concert was not the only party in the universe. It was liberating.

When Hanson ended the show by saying, "See you at the House of Blues!"--for a split second, I regretted resisting the temptation to attend this show.

"Thought that I had figured it out at last . . . "

Is my Hanson-love actually those darn ganja boys or that plastic vial?

"I've got something to say."

Or was tonight the perfect summer evening--simply rock and roll on a navy pier in Chicago?

"There are still rules to break and this music is a place to hide. Isn't it just a game we play? Feels just like . . . "

pictures
click on images to see larger version

the underneath tour book
I sold my tickets to the Detroit show to stunt the flow of the madness--the complete madness of the Hanson tour frenzy. So "I'm a fool, and that's okay" cuts both ways . . . I'm a fool either way, is what I mean. Anyway, I forgot to mention what I think of the Hanson Tour book that sells for $20. The predictable response would be that it's probably worth a lot less . .. $5 maybe? I broke out the Albertane Tour book just to compare--to drive the point home. But the glossiness of that era and all that early fanaticism represented by the clever "han[d]son" cover (the guys hands are on the cover of the first tour book) doesn't equal any of the raw, independent feeling of a lonely street in any given town (the guys wandering the street is the cover picture of this tour book).

The real comparison, what's a poster? What was I expecting from the tour book? A personal dedication, a listing of the backup musicians, critical acclaim (for Underneath) one-liners? One for 3, not too shabby? (c;

My favorite part was the section that listed the possible songs you might hear on the tour. I told Laura, "It's like the promise of free crack samples at Hanson tour stops for drug addicts." Laura, mostly Laura, and I gave this list of song titles an editorial review and found basic spellcheck lacking, which equals pure entertainment: "Gimmie" and "Gimme" listed in 2 different places each with a unique spelling, "Optomistic" and "Cn't Alwys Get what U Wnt" (priceless). Oh the fanciful allure of a Hanson tour book! The fact that we heard "Signed Sealed Delivered, I'm Yours" and it wasn't even listed in The Book?!! Proof that Hanson still knows how to break the rules, as we are all too aware. (c;

The book also contains some contemplative (my favorite kind) black and white pictures of each band member with bold red painted name identifiers. It felt like a throwback to an early hidden life splash page. A totally cliche concept in early webpages, rivaled only by the black background and neon green text. (c; But in the tour book, it looks retro-inspired. I like it.

Next to each picture is a couriar fonted quote by each band member below a listing of the instruments they play during the shows . . . It punctuates what Laura has termed, "the raising of the bar as far as the musicianship goes on this tour." I couldn't agree more. We all knew it before, but "notice served" to those who have not yet joined the fold marked, "believers!"

What I had really wished for the tour book was a re-print of the article that appeared in the Playbill for the band's Carnegie Hall concert. It was an insightful perspective of Hanson's evolving place in the industry, as well as a comment on their parallel introduction with the rise of online activity. There's a graduate thesis in this social phenomenon.

I've heard part of the cost of the tour book goes to the Clear Channel moguls, so I guess I can forgive a portion of the $20. I still find it telling and amusing that someone observed that a person working the merchandise table wouldn't allow her to page through the Tour Book before handing over the cash. But you decide. I obviously found at least a few words to throw the way of the Underneath Tour book.

At the Chicago Tour, I purchased a brown ringer concert t-shirt that actually fits. Yay! If only it identified the Underneath Tour 2004 and / or included tour locations and dates--am I ever satisifed? With the fast growing nature of the tour dates, the second half of this request is probably out of the question. D*** you, Hanson for your sense of fair play and your enticing music! ::shaking fist:: No, really . . . that's what I love about you . . . ::contrite grin::

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