There was magic in the air last night in Fresno. Although the theatre
was only 2/3 full, and the city was really, really, really hot, spirits
were high from the moment Maceo took the stage until after Ani's encore.
Most of us on the sides of the theatre didn't even last two minutes into
Maceo's set before we got up and started groovin' like mad. The folks in
the middle, however (except in the back), seemed allergic to dancing or
something. Whatever. To those of you who were there, and were dancing:
good for you! Ani joined Maceo & Co. for one of their songs, and she
obviously got as big a kick out of being onstage with them as we did
watching her. Her appearance during their set was a shining example of
just how brilliant the Ani/Maceo teaming was.
Then it was time for The Folksinger to work her stuff. She opened with
"Virtue" and it was surprisingly lackluster compared with the energy it
had on last year's tour. But three great songs from LPC (the title song,
a very fun "Fuel", and a powerful "Two Little Girls") later, and things
were splendid as usual. "Here's a romantic song", Ani said as she
introduced the newly-funky "Untouchable Face", to which the crowd went
apeshit. Ani hardly even bothered with the "fuck-yous", we were singing
them so loud. "Coming Up" preceeded "Gravel", and then came the one I'd
been waiting for: "You Had Time". Playing tremelo electric guitar, Ani
gave a perfect, achingly beautiful performance of the already-stunning
ballad. Obviously, I couldn't stop the tears from coming down. "Letter
To A John" came next, and although I love the song, the arrangement is
kind of losing it's spark now. Ani broke out the electric again and
rocked out "My I.Q." b-girl style. "Come Away From It" was haunting and
epic, "Angry Anymore" was a highlight as always (thanks to Julie), and
Ani's solo performance of "Both Hands" was unexpected and marvelous (Ani
explained that since she'd never played Fresno before, she thought it
would be cool to go 'all the way back'). Darren came out with a dumbek
and Ani joined him on a bongo for "Not So Soft", which kicked ass.
Everything from this point on was simply transcendent. Greg Boyer
(Maceo's trombone player) came out and joined in on a reggae-style
"Anticipate" and the ever-changing "The Diner", which also included an
appearance by Maceo's son Corey, who dropped some fierce hip-hop verse.
Ani & the band jammed on this one for at least 10 minutes or so before
Ani introduced Darren, Jason and Julie (all of them excellent, of
course), then suddenly busted out with "Pulse". That one segued into
"Jukebox", which rocks harder every time I hear it. As if the show
couldn't be anymore perfect, Maceo came out and joined Ani for the
encore, "Joyful Girl", which was slowed down and turned into a lovely
R&B ballad. I swear, the woman can do no wrong.
The only frustrating thing is that Ani didn't play any of the new songs
she's been debuting on this tour. I was particularly dissapointed not to
have heard "To The Teeth". But oh well, I've got no right to complain-
both bands were tight, the crowd (with a few snotty exceptions, as
usual- to any of you who have a problem with people dancing and cheering
a lot at concerts: don't go to anymore Ani shows, ok?) was awesome, and
the Warnor's Theatre is beautiful and very intimate.
Ani rocked my world again and I love her for it.
Robert McCloskey