Jolie Holland/ Ball-Point Birds
Sweedish American Hall
May 14, 2004

Review by Jake Thomas

this was my first time to the Swedish American Hall – let me say up-front that it’s the perfect place for a mellow, seated, intimate show that I’ve been to in the city. And now that Café du Nord seem to be booking more shows there, the future looks bright for seeing more good stuff there.

On this night, Ball Point Birds was opening for Jolie Holland. We got there early so we would have good seats, and caught their whole set (these Birds are in actuality a couple of the dudes from the Mother Hips). For the most part, it was very Simon & Garfunkel influenced, with a bit of Flying Burrito Brothers/Byrds/Beachwood Sparks-style California-twang pop thrown in. both guys had nice, pleasing voices, and everyone in my crew that had joined me for the show seemed to enjoy them a lot. Having never been a huge fan of the Hips (don’t hate them either, just very “whatever” about their music), I can say without question that I enjoyed this quite a bit more.

It wasn’t that long ago that I was complaining (see the Low/Jolie Holland review from Noise Pop 2004) about how seeing Jolie in a rock club wasn’t really the correct setting. With this venue, I really got my wish – a seated show, full of folks actually there to enjoy her music and not talk to their friends. She played a great set, backed by a full band (including trumpet on most songs, and Jolie breaking out the fiddle from time to time), and hearing her voice in the nice, quiet hall really made me happy. During the course of her set, she invited a couple of guest stars up on stage to perform with her – local great Sean Hayes as well as David Garza, who she noted as being a major influence on her growing up. Both songs they played were great, with Jolie and company playing as the backing band.the crowd, as well as my personal company, seemed to enjoy the show very much. The downside is that it makes me not even want to see her in a rock club anymore, as it will never live up to seeing her here. Hopefully the du Nord will bring her back again to this great venue in the near future for all to enjoy.

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Check out our previous Jolie Holland reviews:
February 26, 2004 @ Great American Music Hall
December 10, 2003 @ Café Du Nord

August 17, 2003 @ Make-Out Room



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