The opening act, Alexi Murdoch was outstanding, as well as extremely humble. When he walked on stage, I thought he was a sound-guy, or a roadie. He proceeded to setup his equipment, plug in, and begin his melodies. He thanked the crowd over and over again for ‘listening’. “Usually there is allot of chatter”. He was very good, and fit well with Alanis, along with providing some contrast.

We really enjoyed Alanis’ performance, although it seemed very rushed. She banged through each song without hesitation. She didn’t stop, other than to take a drink of water (and the obligitory pre-encore breaks). This gave us more music, but hurts some of the intimacy. Also, she was visible tired, you could see it on her face. She was exhausted, and it affected her performance. One look at her tour schedule tells the story. A new show nearly every night, in a new city. When there is a gap between shows, it appears that it’s only because the bus can’t go fast enough.

The concert was amazing. I’d do it again if I could. She put on a great show performance as always, even in her sleep. This is how she should always perform; in small intimate theaters where her true fans can enjoy it. The only damper on the night happened afterwards.

My wife and I waited by the backstage door (first time we’ve ever done that) for her to exit. When we got there, about 10 other people were also waiting. We waited for over hour with the other fans, obeying the strict orders of the security guards to stay behind a certain point. Then, a group of teenagers and their mother walked up and stood in front of our group. The security guard attempted to move them back, but they complained, and the guard drew a “new” line. They were in front of us now. Many complained, but the maturity level of the “mom” in question was dwarfed by the surrounding young people. About 10 minutes later, Alanis came out and none of us who were waiting the hour got to see her.

That brings me to another question. How do you get to go backstage? Just before Alanis came on stage, about 12 people came out of the door, sat down (not all near the front). They were backstage. How do you get to go backstage? I know how it works at rock concerts, and it usually involves having your wife dress un-motherly, but what about at an Alanis concert? Curious.

There are just too many versions of this album. If I want to own all the tracks in this album, I have to purchase a “deluxe” edition, an “iTunes pre-order” and the single for “Underneath”. Then, and only then, do I get all the tracks. Some of them twice, and even three times. Why are fans treated this way? How do they expect to get new fans with practices like this?

I bought the “Deluxe Edition”. First I have to say that it is a beautiful album. Most of the songs display Alanis’ Eastern influences. This is definitely not “So Called Chaos” with its potential for single-hits, but a complete album full of poetic verse and mesmerizing melodies. Because of this, there are few songs that ‘catch you’ right away, but still you are again given a look into Alanis’ soul, and feel the words as they are sung.

Both my wife and I absolutely love Alanis and her music. My wife a singer, and myself a musician, I tend to judge an album by how many songs we’d like to perform together for fun. Sadly, this album has few of those. Both “Incomplete” and the deluxe only “On the Tequila” have that melodic, well sung quality that we look for. That isn’t saying that the album is poor, it’s just not perfect. I consider “Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie” the perfect Alanis album. It contains the perfect balance of the Alanis styles that I love.

I believe that as time goes on, I will come to love this album more and more. In repeated listening, there is not one song I will skip. Again, Alanis provides her fans with a wonderful set of songs to love and cherish…too bad I can’t hear them all.

Here is Alanis performing on David Letterman last night:

Alanis Yahoo! Live Sets Performance

Alanis recently filmed a special acoustic performance for Yahoo! Music’s Live Sets. Click HERE to watch the show and a special Q&A session with fans.

ENJOY!!!!

This is the environment I’ve always wanted to see Alanis. A small, intimate setting that fits her music and style so well. The concert is amazing, and I would pay enormous amounts of money to be there. I really wish she would do an entire tour like this.

Go over and watch the entire show, it’ll be worth the time. Also, there are some questions and answers with fans….lucky fans. Below is the first song, “You Learn”.

Also, photos of the event are available Flickr.

The song is enjoyable, and very much a classic Alanis song. The lyrics are beautiful, and the music is enchanting, but the song is somewhat forgettable. I believe only core Alanis fans will love this song, and that new or casual fans will feel “eh”.

I would have liked to have something with a more mainstream appeal (ala “Eight Easy Steps”) because I believe Alanis deserves more popularity than she has. Her genius songwriting skills, and hypnotic voice could be appreciated by more people. The problem is most her her name and can’t see her a that angry girl from the 90s and haven’t gone back since.

I simply want a chance to see her more. As a non-Matchbox Twenty fan, I absolutely hated having to see her with them. I want an Alanis concert at least once a year, and her to be a headliner.

What I’d like her to do is a small venue tour. Similar to what she did for “Jagged Little Pill Acoustic”, but even smaller. The tickets would be much more expensive, but well worth the price. She only does this in L.A., but it would be awesome.

Of course, the video has been posted to YouTube, and you can pre-order the album, “Flavors of Entanglement”, coming in June.

Without a new album to promote, Morissette is using the tour to set the stage for her next release, Flavors of Entanglement, which is due for release in April or May. After that, she’ll think about hitting the road as a headliner in the fall.

“It’s a way to promote a record while having the cushioned support of touring with an established band,” said Morissette from her Los Angeles home.

“That’s a luxury because there’s no pressure on me to have to fill huge venues, plus I get to have fun communally while I’m out there, which is rare. Usually, the promotional side of this business is the most arduous part.”

You know, she doesn’t “have to fill huge venues”. Her music is best enjoyed in a theater setting, not in a stadium. I really wish she would do more intimate venues. Even smaller than the Acoustic tour.

Below is a video from her official site.

Although I have really been hoping for a small venue tour, any chance to see her live is great. I really wish more artists like Alanis would consider doing smaller venue tours, as their music fits more with that atmosphere than with the large amphitheaters.

See you Feb 3rd!

Alanis is playing Sylvia, “a woman who shows up in the vision of a record label executive named Nick (Scarfe) as a glamorous singer.” But there’s a twist — she’s actually “an ordinary woman in unexpected remission from lymphoma who, after appearing in Nick’s visions, gets a job as his secretary.” Through shared visions and spirituality, they become soul mates. Basically, the typical, funky Alanis fare. I mean, she has been the top holy dog, after all. Morissette says: “I am a big fan of Philip K. Dick’s poetic and expansively imaginative books. I feel blessed to portray Sylvia, and to be part of this story being told in film.”

Like I said, I don’t know anything about the book, and honestly I’m not that familiar with Philip K. Dick, but any chance to see Alanis on the screen is welcome.