BoDeans
2006.11.24 Potawatomi Casino • Milwaukee, WI

Sam Llanas, Kurt Neumann, Bukka Allen, Eric Holden, Noah Levy

Friday November 24, 2006
Northern Lights Theater, Potawatomi Casino - Milwaukee, WI

For the third night in a row, we were off to the Casino for a night filled with great music, great friends, and more than a few laughs mixed in. We arrived a bit earlier and this time were actually early enough to hear bits and pieces of the sound check from the lobby. Couldn't make out much other than lots of bass and lots of drums. But the few things we could make out were Me Again, Crazy & Jenny Rae.

Before we knew it, we once again found ourselves front and center in anticipation for a rocking good time which progressed like this:

1. Makes U - Sam changes things up a bit and throws in the usual bellissimo.
2. Strangest Kind - with Sam whispering a drawn out version of the line "like a whisper" Believe me, it was enough to give me chills.
3. Good Work w/Batman - and the oh so beloved reprise ending.
4. Misery - Eric singing along with the crowd's "misery" line, Bukka really getting into it on the keyboard and sounding fantastic too. And Sam messing up the lyrics once again. He should have been going into the third verse but was starting to sing the second verse instead "well, I remember.......wait a minute........maybe I don't remember" It takes him a few moments before he finds his place and comes in with the "well I don't know, what your thinking, and I don't really give a damn...."
5. You Don't Get Much - once again, Noah was very impressive on this. Maybe Kenny was giving him pointers when they were in Boulder together.
6. True Devotion - and the stars come out once again as Sam lays it all out there with that voice of his.
7. Idaho - once again Kurt quickly tells the beginning of the Manhattan Montana story, but instead of "what the hell is that" he said that the locals "thought we were pretty".
8. Texas Ride Song - As Noah began laying down the beat, a *few* of us start jumping. But Kurt readily informs us "As you know this is NOT a jumping song. I don't want to see anyone jumping!"
When the first big jumping moment comes, Kurt yells out "DON'T YOU DARE!!!" As if that could stop us! Sam and Eric were in back jumping as were much of the crowd. But Kurt just walks out in front with a stern expression on his face and keeps repeating 'No! Stop! No jumping! I said no jumping!' as he first points to me and then towards Kathy and then to other jumpers in the crowd.
Eric's solo was smokin' as always and Kurt made sure to make the proper introduction. And just like so many times before, Kurt makes his way back by Eric to come in with his own electric part. But this time Kurt was mimicking Eric and making faces at him. It was absolutely hilarious!
When they finished and we were all applauding, Kurt was yelling out "it's crazy!" and then added quietly, "I forgive you for jumping on that last one"
9. Still The Night w/Sedated - Kurt begins by telling us that back when he wrote this song, Sam was studying law and said that possession is only nine tenths of the law so there was no harm when Sam took the song from Kurt and later returned laying claim to the song.
10. Crazy - did this ever make my day! Definitely one of my favorites off of Resolution and the few times I've heard it live have always been a real treat....and this time was no different! Besides, who doesn't like singing about cottage cheese on the ceiling? :)
11. Pick Up the Pieces - again just too much fun, you can't help but dance....and dance Kurt did....the jig that is!
12. Brand New - no new arrangements this time. It was all sounding fantastic to me!
13. Nobody Luvs Me - No Sammy's dance, but near the end when Sam sings.... "nobody...nobody....nobody loves me." twice through - 'wow' is about the only way to describe it.
14. Fadeaway w/Bed's Too Big - In the very beginning Kurt was acting like his silly self and was making faces, putting his hand up to his forehead and looking lost in despair. First off to the right, then off to the left and back to the right. It was just too damn funny! Once he finally got into the song, it was sounding absolutely fantastic. Love how they sort of ease you into the solo in the middle and then bring the intensity up to a near frenzy, then slow it back down. And to top it all off they then go into Bed's Too Big. And then there's Kurt looking lost in despair again. Hand to forehead, looking off way in the distance.
Once they finished the song, Kurt commented "oooh....just like the opera......" So I'm curious, what opera has he been going too? Because I've never seen an opera like that! Whew!
15. Naked - Sam said "this is for you guys" and they proceeded to have everyone swaying to this one. I have to admit I was completely lost in the music and suddenly it was time for our echos!
16. Closer To Free - We danced, we sang, the lady next to me held up three fingers (I could only shake my head). Kurt introduced the band like always, except he threw in a "and I'm Kurtis!" Somewhere in the middle Noah suddenly came back with vengeance! Lots of energy coming from him and you couldn't help but notice.
- encore- Kurt, Sam & Bukka come out alone once again
17. Forever Young - Funny how you can hear a song 5 previous times in about a week's span, yet it had to be the last one that brought me to tears.
Eric & Noah return
18. Sleep - Exactly what I did the whole drive home!! :)
19. Good Things - One last time, Kurt told us "This is not a sing-a-long song! I don't want you singing along to this!" and later "Don't sing it out loud! Don't sing it one more time!" At the end, Kurt was again wandering each and every way on stage. First one way, then another and then back again. As if he had spun around to fast and was now trying to walk straight.

When it was all said and done, we left there with lots of fun memories, a few musical treats mixed in, and last but not least, great big smiles on our faces. Even after three acoustic shows, and three electric shows, I would turn around and do it all over again if I could. I can't thank the guys enough for the unbelievable shows the past week and a half. So many great moments that it's hard to choose a favorite. So, with that said....let's meet again next month, shall we?