Like a merry troubadour, John Vanderslice jumped down into the crowd during a history-making show Friday night at CL Space. He instructed the audience to form a circle around him and his guest players, creating a cozy scene that provided the perfect complement to the singer-songwriter's uniquely descriptive and intimate narratives.
The renowned indie sound guru and singer-songwriter played a powerhouse solo show, charming fans with his amusing stories about Twitter confrontations, his non-helicopter-parent childhood in Gainesville and a host of other random topics.
He even got the audience in on a phone conversation with his mom via speakerphone and invited locals Susie Ulrey (Rec Center) and Alexander and the Grapes to perform on (and off) stage.
The acoustics were pitch-perfect (if we say so ourselves). Sound man Mark Bustin captured each note with amazing clarity (for which Vanderslice gave him hearty props) and brought to the fore Vanderslice's resonant vocals and sparkly strums.
Check out the slideshow to the right, and to see more of Nicole Kibert's photos of Vanderslice's set and Alexander and the Grapes' opening performance.
Vanderslice's setlist included tunes from his 2011 release, White Wilderness (Dead Oceans) and older tunes from Cellar Door and Time Travel Is Lonely, et al. Songs included:
I'll Never Live Up to You
Trance Manual
Pale Horse
Sunken Union Boat
Overcoat
Song from Moon Colony Bloodbath
Numbered Lithograph
Too Much Time
Dear Sarah Shu
Promising Actress
White Plains
After It Ends
Lucifer Rising
D.I.A.L.O.
Keep the Dream Alive
White Dove
Time to Go
This article appears in Sep 1-7, 2011.