house of blues
chicago, illinois
september 29, 2007

walking to the walk
We had the best seat I've ever had at a Hanson concert at Chicago #1 (Saturday, September 29), but the irony was not lost on me, that the timing was wrong. It was the first time that a Hanson concert felt perfunctory--in a good, even pleasant way--but perfunctory all the same.

After waiting 1 1/2 hours in line, we were rewarded with a table in the 21+ balcony area. There, a kind-hearted security guard found us 2 stools. The view of the stage was superb and the sound was amazing (it was the House of Blues, after all)--not muffled by blaring amps up close. This hard-earned nugget of experience was also part of letting go.

I ran into an old friend in line. We had intelligent, sweet conversation with 2 sisters that turned to talk while we all waited for the doors to open. Our table-mates included an adorable young lady and her dad whose most memorable observation during a Hanson cover was, "This isn't the Hanson I remembered." It felt Hanson sorority at its finest.

The band's level of energy felt a tad muted, but that matched my own seasoned concert-going maturity. And, as we all later learned, might have foreshadowed what was in store for Isaac in 3 days.

The next day, I turned on the radio at the exact moment on NPR's "Weekend Edition Sunday" when the segment on Hanson was just beginning with the familiar strains of "MMMBop." The whole weekend felt like an adorable "best of" all-Hanson all-the-time:

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=14809006

Only, I was the one who actually opted out of just how truly "all the time" the weekend was since I had sold my ticket to the Sunday show in order to get back to my second graders by Monday, instead of taking a personal day for Hanson. I have minimal regrets. Here's the list, an asterisk *indicates my regret at having missed this song on Sunday:

Setlist: Saturday vs. Sunday (Thank you to hanson.net for the Chicago #2 list)

  1. Great Divide vs. Great Divide
  2. Hey vs. Where's the Love
  3. Can't Stop: It's a fun, random song that felt more like a statement about Hanson's love of performing, rather than the lovesick teen passion of its genesis. THE concert song from this album is actually "Runaway Run" with the breathless, acapella intro vs. Been There Before
  4. Been There Before vs. Can't Stop
  5. Georgia : Gorgeous vs. Crazy Beautiful
  6. Crazy Beautiful vs. Hole in My Life
  7. Hole in my Life (Police): As a fan of "The Office" I kept thinking, "Scrantonicity." (c; vs. Every Day (Isaac Solo)
  8. Being Me (Isaac solo): My non-Hanson friend, Susan, who was with me found this song a tad, hmmm, interesting. I think "self absorbed" might have come up. vs. When You're Gone*
  9. I've Been Down: I feel privileged that I heard this one. Looks like it wasn't on the list for #2. (acoustic) vs. Go
  10. Go (acoustic) vs. MMMBop
  11. MMMBop: Susan is a huge U2 fan and the most compelling argument to join me at this concert was the first line of Hanson's h.net bio in which Bono calls the music "genius." She was happy to hear this, the band's most defining song. (acoustic) vs. Yearbook*
  12. Strong Enough to Break (acoustic): Nostalgia at its best vs. Got a Hold on Me***
  13. Every Word I Say: Why you go to concerts! vs. Blue Sky
  14. Blue Sky vs. If Only
  15. If Only vs. A Minute Without You
  16. A Minute Without You: My 2nd favorite "old school Hanson"--I always anticipate "Thinking of You" in concert, but like a rare bird--it's a bit elusive. vs. Penny and Me
  17. Oh Darling (Beatles): Awesome! vs. Running Man
  18. Penny and Me vs. Hey
  19. Running Man vs. Lost Without Each Other
  20. Let Love Rule: Wow! A sweet thematic choice to go with the band's new-found public display of their specific acts of charity. Including The Walks--a defining YouTube moment has to be the one where an enthusiastic fan wonders if Zac enjoyed the t-shirt she made him . . . wonders if it fits him properly . . . when he'll wear it . . . etc.
  21. This Time Around: It has begun to lose some of its gravitas.
  22. Lost Without Each Other: Infectious, as always.

Encore:

  • Something Going Round: Inevitable and satisfying! (Why didn't Hanson give the Sunday crowd this crowd-pleaser?!) vs. The Ugly Truth
  • Great Divide (acapella): Susan wondered why the band didn't include more acapella in the show. She felt it was their strength. I concur! Wholeheartedly!

Relieved to hear about Isaac's recovery. I sent out unsolicited emails to colleagues updating them on his condition, along with the link to the NPR story. The music teacher commented on the band's amazing harmonies.

P.S. The most endearing moment of the evening came before the band hit the stage. From the VIP box seats, the parents of the opening band were leaning over the edge, pointing to the band members with such middle-aged enthusiasm--you felt like bursting with pride just witnessing their display. The dad, in particular, sang along, at the top of his voice to every lyric. They seemed to enjoy Hanson, but did not appear to be familiar with any song on the setlist. The loyalty. It felt personal, even reminiscent.

Breaking up
This whole weekend was unexpectedly made more significant by an unanticipated encounter with that person--you have one too--whom you will never get over. At one point, I turned to Susan and said, "It's like my two life passions collided in one weekend! And I can't believe I've just spent another 45 minutes of my life analyzing D____." I stumbled on the quintessential commentary on this lingering, unrequited passion from "This American Life." You won't be disappointed:

http://www.thisamericanlife.org/Radio_Episode.aspx?episode=339


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