live4music
09/29/08, 01:10 PM
City and Colour is the namesake of Dallas Green’s solo endeavors when he is not busy with his rock outfit, Alexisonfire, playing guitar and singing. Every person who is a true fan of music has an artist or group that they feel should be much more popular and can’t understand why the band/artist isn’t. Well, City and Colour is mine. Granted, Mr. Green is from Canada and doesn’t have the same amount of exposure. Nonetheless, anyone that takes the time to check out what he has to offer will soon discover an amazing talent. If you take the asshole and pretentiousness out of Ryan Adams, City and Colour is what you are left with. Even though I compare him to Ryan Adams, it does not mean that City and Colour is lacking in originality. His songs bring about a passion and honesty that I have not heard in a voice since Dylan. When I picture Dallas Green, I think of a singer/songwriter in the purest sense. I can see him living in the country sitting on his porch writing and playing his songs. You can easily tell that music is his life. He is not doing it because he wants money, drugs, girls, or anything else. The man just lives and breathes music.
I had the pleasure to see City and Colour at the House of Blues in Dallas on the much smaller stage to a sold-out crowd (and what I believe was only his third headlining show in the U.S.). Dallas Green looks like a punk version of Bill Gates: heavily tattooed including a hand grenade across his trachea and huge wire-rimmed glasses. In keeping with his nonchalant attitude he stands stage right rather than center. He was backed by a group of friends as his musicians who were all adorn with typical western garb (even though Green, himself, didn’t fit this mold). He began the set with the opener of his new album, “Forgive Me.” Green’s calm, smooth voice could not have sounded better. He was captivating and mesmerizing to watch. When you see him play, you truly believe that he is reliving his lyrics. The banter in between songs was always interesting. After people repeatedly shouting songs for him to play, he told a nice story. He said that one time his keyboardist asked the crowd, “When you are at the movies do you shout at the screen what to play?” He then said that he would feel like he cheated the crowd if he played what they wanted to hear, rather than playing what songs he felt passionate about lately.
Green then played a few older tunes that he had revamped, because he said they would be boring to play if he didn’t. This added so much more excitement to the show. I got to hear several old songs in a new light; bootlegs of which don’t exist in good form. This makes a City and Colour show a one-of-a-kind experience for a fan. The new live version of “Sometimes” was breathtaking. The harmony at the end of the song was pitch-perfect and had every attendee’s attention with complete silence. Next, Green asked for crowd participation at the end of “Constant Knot” and he got it from every fan in the room.
Green’s backing band left for awhile for him to play some songs solo. When someone in the crowd shouted, “This is where it gets good,” Green retorted, “It’s probably not a idea to say that after already playing nine songs. Don’t do that.” Before breaking into “Body in a Box” Green stated, “This song is about being at a funeral and feeling really uncomfortable.” With his harmonica strapped on, Green gave a great soulful performance. Next, he played an amazing rendition of the Motown classic, “Love Don’t Live Here Anymore.” He frequently plays the cover tune and every time does it great justice.
Green then brought his bandmates out for one last song before ending the night. Green was very humble and thanked everyone for being there, especially since he is still rather new to the U.S. as a solo act. They then performed my personal favorite, “As Much As I Ever Could,” which bears the title of their newest album, “Bring Me Your Love,” in its lyrics. As Dallas left the stage I realized I had just seen a true performer and musician; someone who is already legendary in my book. Go introduce yourself to the music of City and Colour… I think you’ll like it.
I had the pleasure to see City and Colour at the House of Blues in Dallas on the much smaller stage to a sold-out crowd (and what I believe was only his third headlining show in the U.S.). Dallas Green looks like a punk version of Bill Gates: heavily tattooed including a hand grenade across his trachea and huge wire-rimmed glasses. In keeping with his nonchalant attitude he stands stage right rather than center. He was backed by a group of friends as his musicians who were all adorn with typical western garb (even though Green, himself, didn’t fit this mold). He began the set with the opener of his new album, “Forgive Me.” Green’s calm, smooth voice could not have sounded better. He was captivating and mesmerizing to watch. When you see him play, you truly believe that he is reliving his lyrics. The banter in between songs was always interesting. After people repeatedly shouting songs for him to play, he told a nice story. He said that one time his keyboardist asked the crowd, “When you are at the movies do you shout at the screen what to play?” He then said that he would feel like he cheated the crowd if he played what they wanted to hear, rather than playing what songs he felt passionate about lately.
Green then played a few older tunes that he had revamped, because he said they would be boring to play if he didn’t. This added so much more excitement to the show. I got to hear several old songs in a new light; bootlegs of which don’t exist in good form. This makes a City and Colour show a one-of-a-kind experience for a fan. The new live version of “Sometimes” was breathtaking. The harmony at the end of the song was pitch-perfect and had every attendee’s attention with complete silence. Next, Green asked for crowd participation at the end of “Constant Knot” and he got it from every fan in the room.
Green’s backing band left for awhile for him to play some songs solo. When someone in the crowd shouted, “This is where it gets good,” Green retorted, “It’s probably not a idea to say that after already playing nine songs. Don’t do that.” Before breaking into “Body in a Box” Green stated, “This song is about being at a funeral and feeling really uncomfortable.” With his harmonica strapped on, Green gave a great soulful performance. Next, he played an amazing rendition of the Motown classic, “Love Don’t Live Here Anymore.” He frequently plays the cover tune and every time does it great justice.
Green then brought his bandmates out for one last song before ending the night. Green was very humble and thanked everyone for being there, especially since he is still rather new to the U.S. as a solo act. They then performed my personal favorite, “As Much As I Ever Could,” which bears the title of their newest album, “Bring Me Your Love,” in its lyrics. As Dallas left the stage I realized I had just seen a true performer and musician; someone who is already legendary in my book. Go introduce yourself to the music of City and Colour… I think you’ll like it.