REVIEW

Concert Review: Smashing Pumpkins - Orpheum Theater, Oct. 15, 2007

Written by Charlie Doherty
Published October 27, 2007
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"Bring The Light," one of the highlights from the Pumpkins' new album Zeitgeist allowed Schroeder to show off his guitar chops and shred along with Corgan during the solo section. Its extended ending, complete with another guitar solo from Billy and Harriton's warm synths underneath made the song even better than the album version. In fact, I wish a version like this made the album instead of the chorus of Corgan voices that ends the studio recording.

Speaking of light, the triangle-based, multi-colored lights that shone above the band could have fooled you into thinking Pink Floyd was playing below. It was different, and very cool to watch as the night went on.

"Neverlost," another new one and "Lucky 13 (from the Internet-only <i>Machina II</i> album) got respectable applause, and then it was Harriton's turn in the spotlight, as she played a pretty and short piano intro to "Tonight, Tonight," one of the band's biggest hits and videos.

Later, Corgan took a minute to tell us he spent some time at Boston Common earlier in the day and ran into some SP fans from Quebec - fans that didn't get a chance to see SP "in the old days" but came to the show tonight.

The crowd initially booed when he said they were from Quebec, at which point the Chicago native shot back (pardon the pun) that unlike America, at least in Quebec he knows he is less likely to be vulnerable to gun violence. But the boos turned to cheers when Corgan thanked the fans for making the trek to tonight's show.

In perhaps the coolest moment of the show and a moment I'll never forget, Jimmy Chamberlin came out from behind his enormous drum kit and all alone with Corgan played tambourine while the crowd clapped along to a perfect rendition of the Adore favorite, "Perfect."

Like many fans of a great band, I live for the times when a band plays a song or two so rare that your friends (who weren't there) are envious of your luck and "I was there when they played..." moments. This was such a time.

The moonlit magic of the bass-heavy "1979" (CD single) b-side "Set The Ray To Jerry," a dark and dreamy, longing-for-love song that rarely gets played live was a great treat for die-hard Pumpkins fans. In fact, this being Halloween season, the Pumpkins gave this audience more rare treats on this night than anyone could've anticipated, along with plenty of tricks courtesy of that bright, colorful and triangle-shaped light show above the stage that complimented every song.

Speaking of "1979," Corgan performed it during a second encore with just a mic and an acoustic guitar, and realizing the audience was into every note and word, stopped playing to let them sing out the last chorus. Talk about striking a chord with an audience, Corgan not only realized he had done so, but made the most of it as well.

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Pro musician and journalist of many stripes: most recently a sports/music analyst for BC mag on BlogTalkRadio.com and sports correspondent for Brookline TAB; music critic/op-ed contributor at Umass-Boston newspaper 'til '06; media analyst at 2004 DNC in Boston. chucko33.blogspot.com, myspace.com/charlied
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Concert Review: Smashing Pumpkins - Orpheum Theater, Oct. 15, 2007
Published: October 27, 2007
Type: Review
Section: Music
Filed Under: Music: Acoustic, Music: Alternative Rock, Music: Hard Rock, Music: Live Concerts, Music: Metal, Music: Progressive Rock
Writer: Charlie Doherty
Charlie Doherty's BC Writer page
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Comments

#1 — October 31, 2007 @ 08:35AM — Red

Awesome review. Seeing them in Atl tonight, cannot wait!

#2 — November 12, 2007 @ 16:10PM — charlie

Hey RED, the Atlanta shows have been rescheduled for 11/15 and 11/16/07! Thank God Jimmy is OK now (he had suffered pain from a partially blocked artery at the end of October). Even better news is that his heart checked out and there's no damage there. There's now a full statement by Jimmy and an updated rescheduling of SP shows at www.smashingpumpkins.com. Rock on!

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