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Words by Brian Bavosa :: Images by Adam George
Beck :: 10.18.06 :: Theater at MSG :: New York, NY
Beck :: 10.14.06 |
Beck Hansen, more commonly referred to as just Beck, has been making a name all his own over the past decade or so in the music world. An eclectic musician who blends rock, hip-hop, alt-country, and whatever else he feels like, it is hard to mistake how versatile — and impressive — an artist he is. His October 18th performance at New York City's Theater at Madison Square Garden not only solidified these accolades, but also cemented him as a one-of-a-kind "puppeteer" with an imagination unlike any other.
The band proved to be as energetic and musically skilled as Beck himself. Numerous times throughout the evening, each member would swap instruments with a fellow band mate showcasing their versatility. As the lights dropped, the sounds of "Loser," off 1994's album Mellow Gold, echoed through the Garden. The band was nowhere to be seen, but the focus was on a giant projection screen behind the center of the stage. A puppet troupe, with each figure dressed exactly as the band was, would lead the song. Welcome to the world of Beck, a fairy tale candy land for hipsters, hip-hoppers, and everyone in between.
Beck :: 10.14.06 |
When the band finally did come out, the synchronicity of the puppet show was impressive. Attempting to figure out just how this stage show was being pulled off, it was when the crowd realized that this was not a computer program but a group of individuals controlling the mini-Beck and band that led to gasps from fans. "Black Tambourine" followed, and we were off on what turned out to be about an hour-and-a-half of non-stop, action-packed, sensory overload.
Beck managed to mix in songs from his new album, The Information, including "Think I'm In Love," with some of his old favorites. Other highlights came when Beck slowed things down and offered a few acoustic numbers. A brief, but powerful version of The Flaming Lips' "Do You Realize?" had the audience singing along, while a country song that Beck "just learned in Nashville" served as a drunken sort of comic relief, especially when he sang the refrain but substituted "I don't know the words" with the infectious, quirky, enigmatic smile and persona for which Beck has become known. Beck is most certainly part LA, part NYC, with just the right amount of Nashville and Texas sprinkled on top. What does that add up to? 100 percent Badass - the definition of cool. Yup, that's Beck.
Beck :: 10.14.06 |
While Beck played these tunes, it was nice to see that he had retained favorable parts of his past shows in the current repertoire. At one point, the band sat down at the dinner table, was served real spaghetti, and proceeded to drum and chime along to "Clap Hands." Silverware was banging, glasses were clinking, and the beat was funky.
The set-closer brought the house down with a dirty, rocking version of "Where It's At." Real Beck and puppet Beck even switched spots on the stage, with puppet Beck leading the band out front and real Beck leading the puppets in the back. What else can this guy come up with?
Beck :: 10.14.06 |
The answer during the encore break was a video of the puppet troupe and their adventures both backstage and around the Big Apple. (Perhaps being dubbed "The Puppets Take Manhattan.") It not only showed the characters riding the subway, walking the streets, surveying the menu at one of NYC's fine gentlemen clubs, but culminated in the oldest tradition rock & roll has to offer: trashing the dressing room. Chairs were broken, alcohol was consumed at ungodly rates, and it appeared that someone was even nailed in the grill by a flying piece of fruit.
Hot on the heels of that scene, the band returned with a few members in full bear suits, and one almost in his birthday suit. "E-Pro" was the second tune of the encore and managed to leave all in attendance rocking out as they filtered into the New York City night.
Overall, like his records, Beck's shows are flat-out fun. Part circus antics, part LSD-laced theater, and all music, this was a show in the truest sense of the word. Beck is a loveable, geeky, mad genius, Napoleon-Dynamite-meets-hip-LA-DJ-meets break-dancer, with an imagination like none other. Lately, you may want to add puppeteer to that list. After all, on this night, he definitely pulled all the right strings.
JamBase | NYC
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