After telling everyone I know the virtues of Okkervil River for several months, I was able to see them live. Cafe Du Nord was a great venue to see the bands, and what a show it was. Last of the Blacksmiths and Band of Horses opened. I had heard Last of the Blacksmiths was a great live band, but this was my first chance to see them, and the expectations I had were easily met. They were far exceeded really. I wish I knew the songs by name, but I don't, and I won't fake it, but I won't hesitate to see these guys again. Fantastic vocals, and a wide array of sounds underneath the songs, harmonies, and a sharp lyrical edge make them a great San Francisco band. They also performed a song with lyrics from one of the members grandfather's poems in a more traditional sounding folk style, which seemed to be a perfect fit. I wish I had heard more of Band of Horses, but we had walked back to the bar and they came on stage suprisingly fast, and apparently if you aren't relatively close up at Cafe Du Nord you can't hear so well, lot's of talking in the background and a somewhat low volume for the band itself made it difficult to judge. What I heard sounded good, but it was hard to hear, I can only say the singer looked like the happiest guy in the world when he sang his songs, and he did so with such sincerity that I felt I had to like them, if only because he was putting everything he had into his performance. Judging by the other bands, and the conviction and heartfelt singing of the band, I would definitely check them out and give them a fair listen, and if I saw them playing again in the bay area, I would go. Now to the main act.
Okkervil River, which I found I had been mis-pronouncing (it's AH-kkervil River, not OH-kkervil), was amazing. First of all, like the title states, Will Sheff is an iron man. They just came off a European tour with 22 shows in 22 days. He said when they got back he was saying how he couldn't believe he hadn't lost his voice, and as he was saying that, he did in fact lose his voice. He goes to the doctor and finds that he has strep throat, and is told not to use his voice. Of course he's starting the U.S. tour, so he says he must use his voice. The doctor prescribed steroids and antibiotics. Which raises the question, was Okkervil River good before steroids, or is it just the steroids making them hit home runs..? Seriously though, the guy isn't in good shape, he's on antibiotics and steroids for his voice and he knows what else and he came out and played a fantastic show. He only mentioned the strep throat after playing several songs, after you could hear some strain in his voice. He asked for lemons because they apparently help your vocal chords, but before they could be brought he went into another song. He promised to play the set or until his voice gave out completely. There were times when it sounded like he might lose it, at points where lyrics were yelled out on the record, he yelled them out live, you could hear the strain, but the words still came out, and it was somehow beautiful. Strange, that the strain on vocal chords could sound that way, but he fought through it, and the songs sounded even better live than on record. When a glass of lemon was handed to him, he grabbed a couple and turned from the audience, fortunately, as I was right up at the front, I was able to catch a glimpse of him devouring the lemon slices, and I have to say it was like magic. Those were some super-powered lemons. His voice came back strong on the next song, though you could here the strain, see the fight, it all came out right. They played a full set, even did the encore. It was fantastic, the first show I had seen where it seemed such a struggle for the singer, and I have to say he still played a lot of very demanding songs as far as vocals go. The instuments were amazing. I mean incredible. Mandolin has never been used so well in a indie band. Steel guitar and trumpet with the bass, guitar, and drums. It had to be seen. "Westfall" was a standout, as was "Red", "For Real", and "Black". The final song, "Okkervil River Song" was also classic, played right after Sheff told the audience how very happy he was to be here, how it was the only thing in his life, and again, how truly happy he was to be here. It wasn't the first time during the show that he expressed how happy he was to be "here", he told a lot of stories for a man with strep, he talked about his first San Francisco show which was also (he thought) at Cafe Du Nord. He went on about this for a while, mostly arguing with himself, with people in the audience occasionally yelling out venues, but it seemed he settled on Cafe Du Nord as the first venue in the city. If he had not had strep, I would have said this was a great show and told you all how it only increased my love for the band, but seeing the struggle, seeing the real love for the music, the earnest desire to perform, the happiness of it all, I have to say this show was incredible, one of a kind. I'm not sure where I rank it in my live shows, definitely in the top ten, probably in the top five, but I have to think on this. Let it sink in. Truly incredible. Unfortunately, I left my camera in my car, so the press pic was the best I could do. If you are unfamiliar with this band, I strongly recommend going to jound.com and check them out. If you listen to "Westfall" and somehow don't love it, well, I don't know what to say. I would be at a loss for words. I suggest you not tell me. The Mandolin was just amazing in person. The song gives you a good idea. Long Live Okkervil River and the Vocal Chords of Will Sheff!
