My first introduction to Straight No Chaser had been their tracks on Hillary Bebko’s great Secret Santa mixed CD many years ago. I listened to them more when I found out Hark was a big fan who wanted to go to one of their shows. Once Kevin and Lisa Allgeier were on board to join us, I listened to more. All that prep paid off, as I knew most of the songs we heard live.
The first three songs, “Happy,” “Marvin Gaye,” and “Shut Up and Dance,” were just okay – fairly straightforward covers of pop songs. Things improved with “Take Me to Church.” It was less overplayed, more dramatic, and featured a better solo. “Big Girls Don’t Cry” continued the upward trend. It was a quirky throwback song in general and included a strong intro.
In between songs, the group showed genuine comedic chops, ‘firing’ one member for missing the show on account of having a baby. There was also this deadpan exchange with a fan:
Straight No Chaser: “Where are you from, JT?”
Fan: “Buffalo, NY.”
SNC: “Are you *lost*? We do perform in places closer to Buffalo.”
Some other quick hits:
--- Rainbow spotlights into the audience enhanced the “Rainbow” / “I'm Yours” mashup.
--- “Creep”!!! Wonderfully restrained, arranged, everything. An Idol-esque MOMENT.
--- Lol at the bouncing, brow wiping, and break dancing during "In The Jungle." Memories of our honeymoon in Soweto, where the song originated!
--- Hark, accurately: "It gets better each song!"
--- They play a "Bodyguard" theme. Somewhere, Nadine Curley Verbesey swoons.
--- How do people in the audience not know Saturday Night Fever?
--- Movie theme songs!! The multiple “Chariots of Fire” slow runs and one fast run are great.
--- Funny “let's all go to the lobby” animation leads out of intermission.
--- Hee at the mini tree lit at the end of “New Old Fashion Way.”
--- Awesome quiet whistling section of “Merry Christmas.”
--- Heh at the group becoming reindeers during “Merry Christmas St. Nick.”
--- “Carol of the Bells”: like Trans-Siberian orchestra, minus 1000 flames.
--- “Hey Santa”: jazzy, fine.
--- “On the Road Again”!!! This song was deeply moving because it was the song my dad would play every time the Verbesey minivan (finally) pulled out of our driveway for a family trip. The group’s descriptions of the changes in their lives since they first met each other at Indiana University made it even more meaningful. The one ingredient that had been missing from the show had been sincerity/substance. Now they had that too!
--- Gah, couldn’t keep up with all the quality jokes that led into "All About that Bass." Take my word for it though: they were quality. The actual bass in the song was as well!!
--- “Uptown Funk” / “Thriller” mashup was a cool concept, but not hot enough for a finale.
--- The “12 Days of Christmas Can Can” / “Africa” mashup was totally worthy!!
--- The hushed, Guster-like “Warm Embrace” left everyone with chills!!! Perfect coda.
Grade: A+
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One of my absolute favorite concerts we've been to!!!
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