Hallo,

I think this would fit so much better to the "related bands" part of the forum, I'll move it there, OK?

Silke

I bought Ed Harcourt�s CD before the show. Some of the songs are quite good but, I like the CD more than I liked him live (I was at the Portland show).

I think he played too many of his obscure/unusual sounding songs and not enough poppy/happy songs. If he had played his more accessible, snappy songs, the crowd may have warmed up a bit more.

Also, he seemed a little arrogant to me and he didn�t try to connect with the audience at all (even though we were polite and thankfully no one booed him or anything like that). I�m sure this tainted my impression of him...

I liked Ed Harcourt but I do agree that the songs he played were really mellow/obscure. In Chicago he started with an especially mellow song. I think it made people more restless. It would have been better if he would have had a full band the whole time but maybe financially he couldn't swing it. I did like him enough though to order his CD so I can't wait to hear what it sounds like. I really was impressed that he had a trumpet player, I really like jazz trumpet playing especially and Jerry was very good! (I thought he was sexy too but I digress... )
This is just a theory cause I really don't know but maybe he didn't connect well with the audience because he had a little stage fright? It sounded like he had to drink to even get on the stage from other stories I've heard. And he is only 23 so it could be his age and inexperience too, who knows?
Everyone has different tastes though, if you didn't like him, I can understand.

Well,again..my friends and I really dug Ed,but I respect everyone else's opinion.
As for Dave Dobbyn...I just don't see it.I mean,granted the only thing I have with him on it is the Cd and video of Finn,Runga,Dobbyn..but still.The man's voice grates my nerves,and I don't find him to be that talented of a songwriter.Hmmm..am I getting off topic?Okay..well,I really enjoyed EH and will definately be picking up his Cd in the near future.

Brandi

I think the reason EH didn't have a full band was because of the "one tour bus" thing.

I didn't care for his music..it/he reminded me too much of other performers and his attitude felt contrived. Could be his age too.
(It did touch me that he felt Neil was his mentor and he knows he's got a lot to learn..he earned 1 1/2 points for that!)

Maybe he should drop the alcohol..doesn't help the energy level of the show!
Thank God Neil was able to replenish the room with great vibes!

I was only able to catch 4 of the shows, Philly through Boston, and I admit I wasn't overpowered by Ed at the first show, but after repeated exposure I came around to the point where I bought his CD and am searching for more. It is tough to be an opening act, especially for someone such as Neil. While I truly enjoy meeting the other fans at the various shows, I think, no insult intended, that most of the fans would just as soon there not be an opening act. So any opening act for Neil is playing to a tough crowd, simply because it is not Neil.

Also, the *I piss on you* statement Ed made in Philly was intended for the bartenders that had refused to serve him before the show.

Additionally, I find it fascinating that so many of Neil's fans are so hard on Ed, especially in light of the fact that Neil personally asked Ed to be the opening act for his tour. I guess Neil either sees, or more appropriately hears, something in Ed's music that some in the audience are missing, or Neil has terrible taste in music. Hmmm...I wonder which it is .

Oh my god, you people are ridiculous! Just because Ed Harcourt isn't Neil Finn doesn't mean he's not amazingly talented. I was at the Washington DC show last week and that man put on a hell of an opening show! I've never even heard of him before, but the talent he displayed on that stage was incredible enough to make myself and my two friends run out and buy everything he's recorded that we could get our greedy hands on. What is wrong with you people? Don't get me wrong, I love Split Enz and ALL of their spinoff bands as much as the next person, but that doesn't mean I can't recognize other amazing talent and incredible entertainment when it's smack dab in front of me. For people who claim to dig open-minded musicians like Neil and Tim Finn, you people are the most closed-minded fans I've ever seen. It's funny. You're the type of fans who would drop to the floor and do or say anything if Neil would just glance your way, but have you stopped to think that he CHOSE Ed Harcourt as his opening act because he LIKES him? He's obviously a fan of Ed Harcourt himself is he's willing to have Ed and his band join him on his own songs. I'm happy to say that I was so impressed at Ed Harcourt's live show that I've become a big fan of one of the same musicians that Neil enjoys listening to. I'm assuming you people also hated Richard Thompson who opened for Crowded House... or how about Sheryl Crow... or even Schnell Fenster? It sickens me to see fans who are ONLY fans of the main act and can't open their minds enough to enjoy whoever is onstage. I hate to inform you that Neil has obviously been an opening act at some point in his life. I guess that means you would've hated him at that point, too. Only an opening act? Must be untalented. God, I can't imagine being that feeble-minded.

prplmeanie,

Wow. Please don't take it personally. I don't think it's that we're all close-minded, and it's not that Ed isn't Neil or anything either. We're just commenting on the individual live performances we each saw, and his first impression on us. Maybe he played a different set in DC?

I was already a Sheryl Crow fan and was happy to see her open for CH back in 94. Before that? Oh yes, Richard Thompson did tear my head off with his musical talent when he opened.

Like I said before - people told me after the show that Ed's cd is pretty good. I even went out at lunch today and picked up the 'Here Be Monsters' cd. On first listen I can tell you there's a LOT more emotion and energy on the cd than when I saw him live. It'll take me couple of listens to get in to, but I'll give it a few spins. I did like Shanghai right away-- he didn't play that though. Obviously when an artist opens for someone they have a short time to communicate what their music is about. My own personal opinion is that in Philly, he didn't use that time to showcase the talent I hear on his recorded material.

I was open-minded enough to give him a second shot.

I saw the July 22nd show at Irving Plaza. I didn't think Ed was bad at all. However, the sound mix SUCKED. I have to wonder if his sound engineer was a.) deaf b.) wasted c.) incompetent or d.) not even present or just didn't care. When the trumpet came in on one of the songs is was so high up in the mix it was almost painful. They mics were way too low. He wasn't mumbling, he was just drowned out.

When Neil came on later, It was so refreshing to be able to hear him, I turned to my boyfriend and said, "What a difference an engineer makes!"

BTW, that was my first Neil show and all I can say is WOW! It won't be my last.

L.

Prplmeanie, there is nothing wrong with us people just because we don't have the same opinion as you. We're still wonderful human beings and so are you! And based on what people (including me) are posting, I don't think that the people who didn't like Ed found that his problem was that he wasn't Neil. Nor are they rejecting him because he's an opening act and not a headliner.

I'm really picky about music I like. People are sickened by my personal music philosophy. Ed doesn't fit into it, and it wouldn't matter WHERE or HOW I heard him. I don't like him, and he just not somebody I'm going to connect with. That's not his fault nor am I closed-minded. I listened to him while he played, and I didn't enjoy it. I hope he finds success, and I certainly wouldn't stand in his way (nor would I be given the opportunity ).

I'm allowed to not enjoy it, and I'm allowed to express that opinion here. You are just as welcome to disagree. None of us would put you down as ask what is wrong with you for liking him. I can only ask that you give us the same consideration!! It's the spirit of the frenz forum. I can't think of a good reason to indict all of us as mindless Neil slave-fans who only like Neil-esque people who are headliners just because we didn't like something that you liked. It's all a matter of taste and yours is different - no better or worse - just different, and I respect and appreciate that!

- Deb

Dear losers,

I can't speak for Ed Harcourt's performances outside of D.C., but would like to note he gave an amazing performance at the 9:30 Club and was in fact the best opening act I've ever seen.

It truly was depressing to see all of the people who ostensibly love quality music gawk up at the footlights waiting for Ed to leave so Neil could commence his set, but COME ON, people, the opening act has the right to fret its hour upon the stage no matter what your limited musical tastes accept as "good."

Since Neil has had a direct hand choosing his opening acts since the early '90s, I don't know why so many people would go out of their way to lambast Ed Harcourt since his music is obviously good enough for Neil Finn. With the obvious similarities in musical style and song construction, perhaps they were just worried Ed would outshine Neil's performance.

I'm sure going to buy Ed Harcourt's album and wear out my CD player listening to it.

Dear Deb-

Touche'!

And now I am taking my limited musical taste (& knowledge) and running off to play!

This topic is closed. I can't believe after all this time on the forum, our rules, and the community I thought we had that people are writing "dear losers" and "what's wrong with you people." I can't believe people are making huge, negative blanket assumptions because someone else sees things another way - simple as that.

Maybe some new people didn't read the rules when they signed up or they don't know that this forum is serious when we request mutual respect, but I can't believe the displays of lack of respect here. Ed's either crappy or great, but is he really worth insulting your fellow fans... putting people down, people you don't even know or are just starting to know? I can't think of a good reason to ever insult your fellow forum members, especially over something that's an opinion or preference. That's just not what we do here, though I know it's welcome on pretty much every forum and mailing list in the WORLD.

If you want to discuss Ed further, please start another topic in this forum. Otherwise, I think this may be too hot to continue right now. I'll allow every opinion you can think of about Ed, but I'll not allow people insulting each other because they don't feel the same way about something. You are welcome to love or hate Ed - I'm happy with both - but you're not welcome to flame each other.

If you want to discuss frenz rules and intentions, please post to the General Frenz forum.

Thank you all.