Willard Grant Conspiracy - The Pilgrim Tour

Two chandeliers are hanging from the ceiling of the Nouveau Casino concert hall (Paris); Howe Gelb focused his attention on them while trying to connect in French with the Parisian audience… later on Willard Grant Conspiracy like a chamber orchestra filled the stage.
Leaky Sparrow’s friend Chris Eckman was in town last Monday with Willard Grant Conspiracy and was kind enough to put me on the guest list. Years ago, the Nouveau Casino should have been packed, unfortunately WGC and Howe Gelb, who played a fine and funny support act, didn’t filled the room this time.
I already saw Howe Gelb, also as a support act, during a PJ Harvey tour in 2001 but I have never seen the Boston-based music group Willard Grant Conspiracy. Captain Robert Fisher, lead singer, and his team, eleven on stage, Chris Eckman included on the left, are now meeting European listeners to promote their latest album Pilgrim Road (May 5). Paris was one of their main stops. It was an intimate show where every note from each member of the band could be heard clearly. I was quite surprised by the intimacy of the set, I was expecting for a music lets say more dynamic, my knowledge of the group consists only on one song, Soft Hand, who in my opinion was one of the best songs from 2003. Fortunately, Robert Fisher and his friends came back for an encore with... Soft Hand. A very enjoyable ending for an elegant show. I was sorry for those who stayed home.

Web: willardgrantconspiracy.com
MySpace: myspace.com/willardgrantconspiracy

Willard Grant Conspiracy - Crush .mp3
Willard Grant Conspiracy - Dance With Me .mp3
Willard Grant Conspiracy - Lady Of The Snowline .mp3

Howe Gelb - Nail In The Sky .mp3

Photo: Katy - Willard Grant Conspiracy - Nouveau Casino, Paris - May 19, 2008