Duncan Sheik
The Triple Door - Seattle, WA
April 26, 2007
with Holly Brook


 
The opening act for the night was Holly Brook, who was new to me. There's a sweetness in her sound that reminded me of Chantal Kreviazuk meets Anna Nalick. She played a variety of instruments throughout her set. Some of the songs she was accompanied by Duncan's drummer Doug Yowell. She was entertaining as well and made the audience laugh. One moment in particular when she wanted to play a new song for us, but had trouble tuning her guitar since she apparently learned without really the knowledge of chords or anything. Audience members tried to help her out. I thought this was a bit funny since Duncan is a "fine tuner" to the point where I probably couldn't tell the difference. All in practice. She also did a Joni Mitchell cover and pretty much it was after that where I thought I should really check out some more of her music. Can I say that I feel she's the happiest person to sing depressing songs?

When it was Duncan's turn to come out he made his way to one of the 5 chairs set up at the front of the stage. Holly also returned to play piano (also supplying backup vocals) and Doug of course on drums. The newest addition that had me excited was to see the stringed quartet. Anyways, Duncan opened the show mentioning that he broke his toe and how the other night he was receiving an award for his musical Spring Awakening. He wore a suit, but flip flops so there was a joke that with the check he received that night he should go buy some shoes. It wasn't that big of a check though. Haha.



Set List:
- "White Limousine"
- "Memento" - There was a false start in the beginning and was the beginning of the numerous times where Duncan mentioned that things were disorganized. Day 2 of the tour and all. This is one of my all time favorite Duncan songs so I was excited to hear it. With the strings live and the kick in of the drums. Wow. 
- "Fantastic Toys & Corduroys" - Which he of course mentioned was for his mom. Awww. This also had a stunning string intro. 
- "The Lover From Hell" - This song is from the play "Nero (Another Golden Rome)" in that he mentioned he did with Steven Sater. Afterwards he asked the audience if they ever had a lover from hell. 
- "Star-Field On Red Lines" 
- Duncan introduced the band and the "pretty stringed quartet." Then he talked about his really good tea made with grapes. 
- "I Wouldn't Mind"
- Duncan then said "I'm playing all of these sweet songs. I don't know what my problem is." Then an audience member asked about Phantom Moon, to which his answer was they were working on getting it together so perhaps later on in the tour you'd get to hear some of those songs. 
- "For You" - *sigh*
- Then came the trio of Spring Awakening songs. It was cute when Duncan said how Holly would sing the first song by herself.
Holly: What? (audience laughs)
Duncan: Something else was funny...
Holly: (pause) What was funny?
Duncan: Something else. 
- "Mama Who Bore Me" - Holly solo vocally
- Explaining to the audience for those who weren't "theatre geeks" Duncan said the first song was about sex, the next song was about fantasizing about sex, and the third is where they all commit suicide. LOL.
- "Touch Me" - duet with Holly.
- "Don't Do Sadness" - another duet with Holly. Very rockin courtesy of the jutting of the cello and drums.
- "Hey Casanova"
- "The Dawn's Request"
Encore:
- Mmm. Earl Grape Tea. Funny.
- "Nothing Fades" - Duncan and Doug only. I love this song. My favorite off White Limousine.
- The rest of the band came out and to which Holly encouraged us all to toast Duncan's broken toe. Duncan replied "My toe is not in as bad a shape as my heart." Awww. "I just gave you a shot"
toast to Duncan's toe from Holly. my toe is not in as bad a shape as my heart.
- "Such Reveries" - Never sounded richer.

After the show I got Holly's cd. Her mom was at the show handling her merch. Duncan actually came out pretty quickly and was meeting with everyone. I had him sign my Brighter / Later cd and a postcard for my brother. One of the many he took for me while he was cd shopping. Heehee. He asked how I liked the show and I of course had to say how much I loved the quartet. I kind of went brain dead after that and forgot to mention how nice it was to have Holly as a complement to his vocals.

 Duncan was so very sweet as always. Love him!
 

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