Andrew Bird Tour... Catch it While You Can!

I am still haunted by the sound of Andrew Bird singing live, only 15 feet from where I stood. But he wasn't just singing... he was playing, not to mention plucking the violin, strumming the guitar, hitting a xylaphone, and whistling. All at the same time. Or so it seemed. I cannot think of a one word to describe this musical genius, so I came up with three. Ninja Music Wizard. The picture I took of him waving his violin and bow in the air as if he were casting a spell on the audience seems to prove my analysis beyond a reasonable doubt.

A typical song would start with Andrew playing a few beautiful notes on the violin. It felt like I was in a classical concert hall listening to a world famous violinist, only I have a sneaking suspician that he was just making most of if up on the spot, or at least improvising as the impulses hit him. Then, he'd use a loop to keep the classical violin sound going as he turned the violin around like a banjo and began to pluck the violin, which makes a sound nothing like anything I have ever heard live before. Just when I thought it couldn't get any better, his whistle would begin, on tone with vibrato so beautiful it sounded more like a fine instrument than sound that comes from air blowing through a human mouth. The only thing I have heard come out of a human mouth that sounded better was when he began singing. He would loop the different instruments and whistles so that when he started singing, it was hard to believe that all the sounds I was hearing were produced directly in front of me, by one man alone, in a matter of minutes. My mouth was open in awe as were those around me. I had goosebumps. All this... for fifteen dollars!!! I would have paid much more.

I really don't think I have ever been this impressed by a live show, and I have gone to a lot of shows in my day. Normally I am happy when the band I go see sounds as good as they do on the album. Then there are the bands that are fun to watch, but not as polished when they play live. There are rare bands that you can count on to play around with their songs a little to make it interesting. Andrew Bird was on a whole different level. Different instruments would fly in and out of his hands so quickly throughout each song it seemed as though they were either a part of his body, or had minds of their own. He is an artist that seems to truly enjoy what he does. It didn't look like he was up there trying to get paid. It was more like a dance that he couldn't contain if he tried. Every song was different from how I have heard it on albums, and the melodies and harmonies he added in were so unique an unrepetative that they just seemed to flow from a different plane of existence.

I would highly recommend going to see Andrew Bird if he comes to your town. If you haven't listened to it yet, you should definitely check it out!