Review: Shooter Jennings

Crossroads KC's 2012 season opened with a defiant twang Saturday. The first event of the year at the open-air venue behind Grinders featured three country-tinged bands. Cody Canada & The Departed, Shooter Jennings & The Triple Crown and Uncle Lucius entertained an audience of about 500 at the rain-shortened concert.

Co-headlined by Canada and Jennings, The Magical Misdemeanor Tour served as a forum for musicians who position themselves as authentic alternatives to the country music establishment. Both men are at pivotal junctures in their frustratingly erratic careers. Canada's previous band, Cross Canadian Ragweed, disbanded just as it was on the verge of achieving widespread popularity. The band was at the vanguard of the red dirt country movement, a spirited and unprocessed genre that originated in Oklahoma.

Loyal fans expecting to hear Canada faithfully replicate that gritty version of country might have been disappointed by his new approach. For every country shuffle he and his four-piece band performed, Canada played a bracing rock song. The loud material bore a curious resemblance to the early '70s output of the classic rock band REO Speedwagon. That material contained an energy that was lacking in country songs like "’The Ballad of Rosalie."

The band seemed to acquire a heightened sense of urgency when ominous lightning caused much of the audience to flee around 11 p.m. Only a few dozen fans remained after a light drizzle became a downpour. Even so, Canada and his band refused to heed the frantic exhortations of stagehands who were imploring the band to curtail a rain-soaked blues stomp on "Face On Mars." The band finally conceded to the elements forty minutes into its performance.

That reckless intensity was largely absent during Jennings' amiable hour-long set. While everything he played seemed heartfelt and honest, it didn't leave much of an impression. Jennings concentrated on material from his aptly-titled new album Family Man. Many of its songs focus on his devotion to his wife, actress Drea de Matteo, and to the rebellious legacy of his father, the late Waylon Jennings.

Unfortunately, Jennings didn't inherit his father's thick bass drawl. He's handicapped by a thin voice. Even so, Jennings successfully sold his current single "The Deed and the Dollar," a wry love song in the tradition of John Prine. Jennings' blasphemous demand that Jesus "turn my water into wine" on "Manifesto No. 4" resonated with the party-minded audience. A rendition of "Some Rowdy Women" was similarly suitable to the tenor of the evening. Jennings was most animated while delivering material that railed against the mainstream music that originates in Nashville. "Outlaw You," for instance, defended his father's reputation and decried the pop elements that dominate the contemporary country scene.

"Hey, pretty boy in the baseball hat," Jennings sneered during the angry song. "You couldn't hit country with a baseball bat."

Jennings wasn't referring to any of the five men in Uncle Lucius. The Austin-based act offered 30 minutes of refreshing roots rock in its opening set. Featuring sturdy material and two soulful vocalists, Uncle Lucius is squarely in the tradition of The Band. While Saturday's concert revealed that neither has fulfilled his full potential, Canada and Jennings may one day inspire similarly flattering comparisons among accomplished artists.

| Bll Brownlee, Special to The Star

Comments

[Bob]

Nobody is going to say a word, eh?
Fine, I will.

There is no legit reason (other than helping the money grubbing, cheap ass, promoters using an inexpensive barnyard to rake in as much money as possible, while spending nothing) for this show to be held outside, subjecting fans to rain and lightening and shortening the concert.

There are plenty of quality venues in this town. There IS NO GOOD REASON TO HAVE CONCERTS AT THIS DUMP!!!

How many times does it have to said? The promoter only cares about money, they dont give a shit about the concert goers.

It is bad enough that the promoters ruined a pototentially fun/good show.... but serious is they are messing with fan saftey.

Is it going to take someone being killed when struck by lightening to stop this nonsense.

The facts are out.
When IT happens, when someone dies, there will be no saying "we didnt know the danger"
YES THEY DID/DO, they choose to ignore it in the name of more profit.

[Sandy]

I hate to agree with you, but I am starting to agree with you.

[Ellen K.]

There's a very good reason to have shows outside, at outdoor venues. People enjoy being outside, and going to shows at outdoor venues. It's that simple.

Now, dislike of this particular outdoor venue is a separate issue.

[pellboy]

I agree, Ellen K. Summertime is made for seeing some outdoor shows, from a free gig in some park all the way up to some mega-act at a ballpark. As you said, the plus/minuses of the outdoor venues will vary but it's silly for Bob to bring weather into the equation. Why not just live in a domed city then so that's never a concern? Fact is, more acts tour during the summer months and the outdoor venues serve a logistical purpose as well as providing an al fresco setting.

[Bob]

It is obvious you two were at home, under your domes, not at this show, or you might feel differently about a show being cut down to 40 minutes.

Then if it doesnt affect you, then why should you care, right?

If you had been there would you be so quick to say a 40 minute set by the headliners is acceptable?

Had this show been at the Uptown, weather would not have affected it.

How many shows is this now that shows have been cut short at the barnyard?

[JG]

Tickets for outdoor shows say "rain or shine" Bob. Sometimes it rains.

[Bob]

and JG, Tickets to the Uptown and midland NEVER say that.

At REAL venues like those two, I know I will pay my money and get a full show, unlike the crap shoot down in the barnyard, where rain shortened shows happen all too often. Plus I get to have running water, HVAC, a real floor, etc etc.

[Mojo Nixon]

There was no toilet paper in the "restroom" at the BEGINNING of the show. Not cool.

[Jennifer]

But Bob, you don't even go to shows so what does it matter to you?

[pellboy]

I'm pretty sure that most of the regular posters on this board have suffered thru a rain-shortened or cancelled show and yet still attend other outdoor shows. When conditions are right as was the case with last summer's Steely Dan show @ Starlight, there truly is no better experience than seeing a show like that under the stars with perfect evening temperatures, so I'm willing to take my chances with nature.

My suggestion to Bob, avoid the outdoor shows and just wait and catch the acts that you want to see when they play indoors which they ALL will do at some point. Let the rest of us who can handle such traumatic events as a shortened/cancelled show or some damp clothes, deal with the elements.

[onthemark]

Well said pellboy. Off the top of my head, here are some weather related concert memories:

Summer Jam 77 or 78, Bob Seger headlined. At Arrowhead, had an afternoon summer squall pass thru and drench the stadium. Lot of people took cover but a lot of concert goers stayed out on the field too. Show went on, great time!

A few years ago saw Brian Capps and The True Liars at the outdoor patio at Harry’s Country Club in the River Market. We could see a storm approaching, and when it hit everyone went inside and waited it out for about 15 minutes. Show went on afterwards, great evening.

Went to Sandstone for one of those ‘Dream Concerts’. Big storms all around, rain off and on throughout the evening. The cool thing about that was the headliner was a Pink Floyd tribute band and when they played, they had a laser light show that looked really cool through the raindrops that were falling.

Sheryl Crow at Starlight a few years ago. A huge storm threatened the entire evening, lots of lightning flashes and wind gusts, but fortunately she finished up before the rain hit. Fans who left that show and headed west drove right into the teeth of the storm!

Santana at Starlight on the 4th of July a couple of years ago. Steve Winwood opened, superb performance. The minute Santana hit the stage the rain began and it rained throughout his entire set. The minute he finished his encore, the rain stopped and the fireworks display began. We sat thru the entire rain filled evening and enjoyed every minute of it!

So yeah, I have some experience dealing with the elements at outdoor shows. Weather happens, just got to deal with it!

[Bob]

""I'm pretty sure that most of the regular posters on this board have suffered thru a rain-shortened or cancelled show and yet still attend other outdoor shows.""

Yeah son, and I have probably attended more than you, but that is the reason I even post about this.

If the venue was a beautiful place like Starlight, it is one thing. But CrossroadsKC is a crappile. It is a dump. It is a barnyard. It is ugly. Take a look. Is this really a place you want repping KC to traveling groups? REALLY?

It IS NOT OUTDOORS so you can enjoy the weather, IT IS OUT DOORS BECAUSE THEY ARE TOO CHEAP TO MAKE IT INDOORS. THEY DONT HAVE FLOOR BECASUE THEY ARE TOO CHEAP!!! THEY DONT HAVE REALL BATHRROM BECAUSE THEY ARE TOO CHEAP!!

Ddi you even read the cooment-
""They started the show with no toilet paper"" in the smelly porta potties because they are too cheap.

They run that place as cheaply to maximize promoter promoter at the expense of fans, IT HAS NOTHING TO DO with having out door shows.

[Bob]

Is CrossroadsKC really a place you want repping KC to traveling groups? REALLY?

Have you no civic pride?

You whine and cry if they say the city name wrong, but you dont mind if this craphole is the face of KC for the night?

[Rex]

What do you think bands say about KC after playing the dump?

Cody Canada / Shootewr Jennings-
"Oh yeah I remember Kansas City, that city is a joke. We had to shorten our set because they made us play outside in a torrential downpour"

Elvis Costello-
"Kansas City is one of the most disgusting places we have ever played, and we sweated our asses off because they cant afford air conditioning there. We were happy to be in St Louis the next night, at least they have real venues like the Pageant.

[long tall sally]

CARE FOR SOME CHEESE TO GO WITH YOUR WHINE THERE BOB, I MEAN REX? LOLOLOLOLOLOL

[pellboy]

Or what about this quote from somebody who visits this site...

"Can you believe this Rex guy? I sure hope he's not representative of KC as they must have some really shitty music fans. Even though NOBODY cares or listens to him, he continues to rant and rave in EVERY thread on this site about some outdoor venue called The Crossroads. The only thing I can gather from all his screaming is that the place doesn't have a roof, performers sweat alot and you might want to check the TP dispensor before deciding to take a crap there. Hate to think everybody in your town is such a pussy, but tell him I'll buy him a beer anyway at the Weir, Robinson, Greene show if he would just shut up. Enjoy your summer, KC!"

[NEW]

"It is obvious you two were at home, under your domes, not at this show, or you might feel differently about a show being cut down to 40 minutes."

What the hell, I'm having a slow afternoon. Might as well chime in.

You weren't at the show either, Bob/DT so why are you chiding others for not being there? In fact, It does not seem like you get out much at all. Nothing wrong with that but it certainly makes other poeple question your 1,500 + concert claim I would think that someone who has been to that many shows would still get out once in a while or would have seen shows at equally miserable venues outside the KC area at some point. Hell, I've been going to shows for 35 years and spent a few years followed bands up and down the East Coast for a few years and 1,500 shows is a stretch for me!.

We get it. You hate Crossroads. That's understandable. It leaves much to be desired. But don't target promoters as irresponsible because the show is outdoors. Do you avoid shows at Red Rocks, the Greek in Berkeley, The Gorge in Vancouver or Telluride Town Park because they are outside. I am sure someone who has logged in 1,500+ shows must have certainly caught a show or 2 at those places.

[onthemark]

Good points by both NEW and pellboy. Keep in mind the dump troll posted one of his rants on the Levon Helm eulogy thread. While I have never cared much one way or another about his rants, that was pretty despicable for even his already low standards.

So trying to make sense out of anything he posts is truly an excercise in futility. Let him air his grievances while shaking his fist at the air. The end result is the same for both, nothing will change. Just ignore him.

[Rex]

Yeah, I knew that was you posting under a different name that day offthemark, lol. At least I dont tell lies.

===========================
"Even though NOBODY cares or listens to him..."

nope... nobody... oh well, maybe someday.

[Rex]

btw- just curious, when pellboy, NEW and offthemark(and offthemark's other names) all start cirlcejerking do you.... ah nevermind.

[Paul M]

Bob you are not the only one who hates CrossroadsKC. You are just the only who cares enough to write about it.

[Paul M]

"At least I dont tell lies."

Says the troll who changes his name on every post.

[onthemark]

Ok, I admit it, I change my name when I am going to insult people whose opinions I disagree with. I am sorry I am liar.

[onthemark]

What do you know, the dump troll is again using my handle on his posts. Seeing how he is the troll who shat all over the eulogy for Levon Helm I guess I shouldn't be surprised. Despicable, no other way to describe him.

[DT is just sad]

DT has pulled that crap on me, also. What a sad life he must lead. He already has several hundred monikers he uses to troll with. Why steal ours?

[onthemark]

I am sorry for being a liar. Even though I said I did not, I actually do post under different names, while bashing others for doing the same, so not only am I a liar I am also a hypocrite.

[NEW]

Even though I find DTs posts very entertaining and would miss him, shouldn't he at least be banned for posting under someone elses handle? That shouldn't be allowed, should it Tim?

[Randall]

If you are going to ban posters for stealing names, then onthemark will be banned too, so be careful what you want/wish for. onthemark is as out of line as anyone here, actually he worse, he is devious.

[NEW]

Agreed Randall/DT. But seeing as the OTMs comments are typically rational, informative and quite cordial, your comment is nothing short of delusional. I mean, how the heck would you even know that? Do you have access to the IP address of every entry? Do tell.

[DT is just sad]

Sorry, NEW, but most rational folks here won't miss DT at all and don't find him entertaining at all. It's like reading the rants of a mentally disturbed person that is in need of serious help. I'd feel sorry for him if he weren't such an pointless, abrasive windbag. His utter loneliness is palpable. Tim must know DT because why he hasn't been tossed off here remains a mystery. Toppling every thread isn't fun or entertaining. It's annoying and frustrating. So.....who else went to see Shooter Jennings?

[Sammy]

wha wha wha.... pooorwitle offthemark, who is off the mark, as usual.

I rarley get thrown off any message boards, because I do not say anything that is not true.

The powers that be here, there and everywhere see what devious little pukes like offthemark do. Posters like him are devious while I am straight forward. You may not not like what I say but I have no hidden agenda. I am NOT trying to get people thrown off any boards, I say the more the merrier. I simply post my opinions and I only go after people who come after me first.

I am fair, unlike witleprissy boys like offthemark, such dainty sensitive witle things. awww, so cute when they eat cheese and whine

[Sammy]

Wishing everyone, including offthemark, a fun and music filled weekend, time to go getem...
HAVE AT IT BOYS!!