Chris Knight

[spen640]

Anybody else on this thing going to be at CK's show on March 25 at Club Passim in Cambridge?

The place is absolutely tiny, I can't wait to see him there. According to the venue tickets will go on sale on Feb. 17.

Anyways, just figured I'd see if there were any New England fans planning to be at this one, I know I'll be bringing along a few friends and relatives.

[admin]

Everyone bring a friend, as the promoter doesn't think Chris has the strength to headline. This is an important show for a town with such a rich songwriter history.
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CK MySpace

[Btarka]

I'm going if I can get tickets...Their website states that members get first dibs! I've been watching for them. Kinda confused on how the date switched. Kinda threw a wrench in the works but I definately want to make every effort to make it.

What's this place like? What's the atmosphere? I'm guessing it's not a club or bar right? So do I BYOB? Any advice is appreciated!!
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If this rig will hold out one more day...

[spen640]

Yeah, I've been calling on and off since the date originally showed up on CK's site but not theirs, I was assured I could purchase tickets over the phone tomorrow (the 17th) sometime last week, so I plan on doing that.

I've seen the place set up two ways for shows.

One is that they have a few different tables with some chairs around them and then an assortment of other chairs (I think the idea being that if you sit at a table you will order food from "Veggie Planet" the restaurant that shares the building.)

The other is just a bunch of rows of wooden chairs (I think it was set up for Khaki King this way but it was a long time ago and I imagine it will be for CK) along with less tables. I think the amount of tables might depend on how many seats they sell, not sure though.

The atmosphere definitely varies by artist because of the crowd complexion but the room is down a few steps from the street with a few small windows on the top of the wall to the right. The stage is small and usually not more than a leg-stretch away from the first row or table.

Since I have been there last they have added beer and wine to their offerings but it doesn't look like they have much of a selection (http://www.veggieplanet.net/menu/bar.pdf).

It is in an excellent location which provides plenty of nearby establishments to grab really good food and drink before or after the show.

This should give you an idea of how big (or small) the room is: http://cache.boston.com/bonzai-fba/Globe_Photo/2008/03/19/1205950202_9139.jpg

Bottom line is that this place is tiny and has a really intimate atmosphere, It's probably the closest most of us will ever come to having Chris come over and play in our living rooms while we hang out and enjoy a beer.

[martyc85]

That looks like a great place to see a Chris show! It looks like one of those place where people go to LISTEN to the show...
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Guitars, Tiki Bars, and a whole lot of love!

[Btarka]

Thanks Spen!

Actually, from the picture it looks bigger than the last 2 places I've seen Chris play! If you can believe that! I'll definately be calling Wed. for the tickets.

Any recomendations for grub before the show? I'm not much on veggies and prefer a little substance in my meal with some red meat.
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If this rig will hold out one more day...

[spen640]

I think that picture makes the place look big too.

But yeah, I got 4 tickets (or 1 table) today no problem.

I'd recommend Mr. Bartley's on Mass. Ave. for a place for grub before the show. At least that's where I will be. They have awesome burgers, onion rings, frappes, lime rickeys, and I believe a few bottled beers, though I have only been for lunch. (Btarka, I pm'd you a couple others as well). I haven't much explored the bars in the area though.

On another note, for those wondering, I was able to pick up four tickets (or one table) today from the venue. I can't believe I'm finally going to a CK show after 4-ish years of waiting and 3 missed trips to NE because of schedule conflicts... I even looked at flying somewhere a couple times.

Hell yeah.

[br54knight]

That's awesome spen640! Glad you're gonna make it out to a show.

I've got a few friends in MA & RI that I'm gonna tell about the show. Not sure if CK's really what they're into but I'll see what I can do.

Y'all make sure to report back & let us know how it goes. And don't forget to thank the club for having Chris in! That's always helps too.
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...they make me feel like I'm somebody, number one

[fastcar]

Chris sure as hell can fill up the Ashland Coffe & Tea House!
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"I always wanted to be somebody, but I should have been more specific" - Lily Tomlin.

[Btarka]

Got my tickets reserved. I think there is only 1 table that has any seats left. Hope to see it full!
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If this rig will hold out one more day...

[spen640]

Still seems way too far away. I can't wait for this. Saw Justin Townes Earle the other night which helped curb my live music fix, but still.

[CRHITCH8]

I just looked at plane tickets between Dallas or Boston to decide which show to go to.

That would mean Chris drew a fan from 800 miles away!

[Btarka]

So it's the morning after and I must say I had a GREAT time at the concert last night. First and foremost the sound in the place was EXCELLENT! Except for once in North Dakota he seemed to miss a fret on the guitar which threw him off and towards the end of the night he slipped up during another song it would of been a great duo recording. The place was packed like a sardine can and the crowd knew his songs!!! It was shorter than I'd of liked but then again it always is. Just glad I got the chance as did others that were there. Chris commented it had been 12 years since he played in Boston and the crowd joked with him "Please come back to Boston". Cambridge as a town seemed to close up around 10 pm and that's about the time the club turned the lights on, but at their IPAs we pretty damn good and my wife said the food was fantastic! I had the pizza...it was good...but there was no meat.

Spen640, it was a pleasure meeting you!

Set List

Rural Route
Becky's Bible
Enough Rope
Another Dollar (this one is still ringing in my head this morning)
Heart of Stone
Hell Ain't Half Full
Crooked Road
House and 90 Acres (When Chris Clark opened up this song on the harmonica it really brought the place to life!)
North Dakota
If I were You
Love and a .45
Oil Patch Town
Old Man
Down the River
It Ain't Easy Being Me
Blame Me
Framed
(Encore)
A Train Not Running
The Hammer Going Down
To Get Back Home

Nothing new and I did mention that to Chris after the show and inquired about any studio work. He told me he's been in the studio but he said with a smile, "I'm not tired of playing these songs I already got." So as a venue, it was nice and quaint but they shut off the AC just after the start of the show. Granted the AC was a little on the noisy side and hardly any one spoke while Chris sang (except for the one guy in the back who thought it was a karaoke night at the club!), but with the AC off and about 100 people in that small little room you can imagine it got warm in there. I wouldn't want to endure a hot summer night in there with the AC off. So overall it was a good time and a great listen. Personally, the ambiance of the club is not what you would picture at a CK show but it worked. The crowd was a melting pot of ages and people which was good also. The couple we sat with, it was there first time there as well as it was ours. I would say I would definitely go there again and actually will keep an eye on there calendar to check up on future shows.

I did pick up a new copy of "Heart of Stone" since mine broke. I also picked up a copy for my brother along with the license plate t-shirt and a camo koozie. And from what I saw, CK should of done pretty well in the merch. dept because there were plenty of people waiting to get either a CD or t-shirt signed which was really great to see. I heard from a few people that were buying them that they didn't have any of his CDs. Always good to hear that his fan base is spreading. Ok, I rambled enough.
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If this rig will hold out one more day...

[martyc85]

Thanks for the review! Sounds like you had a good time!
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Guitars, Tiki Bars, and a whole lot of love!

[spen640]

I think Btarka nailed it with the review, pretty much everything I would have commented on. It was cool getting to finally see and meet Chris after listening for so long. I know it was mentioned here that the club was a little skeptical about Chris headlining so I hope the good showing quells any of those thoughts and puts the Boston area on the destination map for some more shows in the future.