Vintage Porn: The New Pornographers- August 18, 2002

Art By Greg Oakes

Last week I saw the New Pornographers for the sixth time, five of those shows in Winnipeg and one in Calgary. Just to clarify, when I saw them in Calgary, on that particular tour they did not stop in Winnipeg (cancelled due to a scheduling conflict), so in fact last week's show was the first time the complete band played Winnipeg.

The first time I saw the band it was back in the summer of 2002 and it remains one of my favourite concerts of all time. This show appeared on dimeadozen years ago, it was my recording, but I didn't post it. I did trade this show at least once, so it must have been passed around, but I doubt many people have heard this recording and would be of special interest for anyone in Winnipeg that was at the show. It was an early recording with my trusty mini-disc recorder with my old mics, so the sound isn't perfect, as the volume is on the verge of peaking, but it's a lively recording and I love it!

Highlights:

• At the time, Mass Romantic was their only release, though they did play a couple songs that would be included on Electric Version. So if you're a fan of the early stuff you'll enjoy this.
• The venue, smaller and more intimate at the West End Cultural Centre. This was a Mint records tour, so the crowd wasn't huge, maybe 300-ish?
  
• Track #9, the band attempts some Heart covers. Good example how the band can be loose and have a good time. Funny stuff, Neko was game to do the "whole" songs!
• The real highlight for me has to be the final four songs in the set (the last three were encores). Letter From an Occupant is always amazing, but their covers of Nick Lowe's, Cruel to Be Kind, The Sweet's, Action and Send Me A Postcard by Shocking Blue were incredible! More recently they do ELO and Fleetwood Mac covers, what's up with that?
  

THE NEW PORNOGRAPHERS
West End Cultural Centre
Winnipeg, MB
August 18, 2002
Audience recording

1. Slow Decent Into Alcoholism
2. The Mary Martin Show
3. The Electric Version
4. Jackie
5. The Fake Headlines
6. The Laws Have Changed
7. Mystery Hours / Execution Day
8. The New Face Of Zero And One
9. Barracuda/Crazy On You/Dreams (teasers)
10. Mass Romantic
11. The End Of Medicine
12. Testament To Youth In Verse
13. talking (Back in Black)
14. The Body Says No
15. To Wild Homes
16. From Blown Speakers
17. Breakin' The Law
18. Letter From An Occupant
19. Cruel To Be Kind
20. Action
21. Send Me A Postcard

THE NEW PORNOGRAPHERS- 08-18-02 part 1. rar (tracks 1-12)
THE NEW PORNOGRAPHERS- 08-18-02 part 2. rar (tracks 13-21)