Iron and Wine in Los Angeles

Wednesday, Novemeber 28th, 2007 – Los Angeles – The Orpheum Theater

Sam Beam might be the nicest man on earth. As it should already be clear, Iron and Wine released not only their best album to date, but arguably the best album of the year. Needless to say I was excited to see how this new album would translate into a live performance. The band nonchalantly took the stage, Sam Beam smiling like he knows something that everyone else just doesn’t. Looking at Sam feels what I imagine looking at the Dalai Lama might feel like. You can actually see kindness and peace, and a tenderness that radiates forth.

My Wife and I were again, lucky enough to have great seats for this performance. Fifth row at the Orpheum is no joke. It might even be better than first row since you can see everyone in the band all at once. The Orpheum is such a beautiful venue by the way, simply outstanding. Even if it is in downtown Los Angeles.

Sam Beam doesn’t need a band to back him up. Don’t get me wrong, they did a great job backing him. But Sam is just that amazing and talented. I think it’s important that Sam is always exploring and expanding his craft. That is why “The Shepherd’s Dog” is such a powerful album. I’m sure that Sam needs to keep himself interested and since he has mastered singing and playing acoustic guitar solo, this was the next logical step.

Listening the new album played live is almost like hearing it for the first time. It has even more of a reggae vibe than it already does. Which I seriously loved. It definitely takes on a more natural quality when performed live, kind of the way that a Radiohead song does when played live.

Iron and Wine played every song that I wanted to hear, except “Burn that Broken Bed”. Every song they played was captivating and beyond my expectations. My favorites that night were “Wolves”, “Carousel” and “Woman King”. But it was the last song, “Trapeze Swinger” which Sam played solo that quite literally brought the audience to tears. I’m not sure if any other artist has ever brought actual tears out of me. I have posted a live performance of “Trapeze Swinger” down below which was played in Edinburgh a month earlier.

What an inspiring performance! So happy to have seen Sam beam and his band of merry musicians perform. I will see them anytime they are playing nearby. You should check them out if you ever get the chance.

~ by mughead on November 28, 2007.