Six years ago Jars of Clay performed at Welcome Weekend weeks before hitting the charts and playing on the late night shows. Since then, MBC has brought the newest hopefuls to campus for a "before they were big" concert that students always remember.
This year, it wasn't exactly Jars - it was Jake. As a Reunion Records artist, there is a certain expectation of ability and professionalism that others like Clay Crosse, Kathy Troccoli, and Michael W. Smith are known for. Their website is killer. Their promos and management are cool. Even their less-than-a-week-old debut CD is certainly worth the listen.
But sitting around the table at dinner, I got the feeling that these Canadians were more green than red and white. We typically provide an interview of concert artists, but honestly, there was nothing to tell. By the time I finished off my hamburger and coke, it was time to change plans and review the concert instead. Oh, girls - one note for you - only Marty Penner, the bassist with a great smile and sense of hat-fashion, is spoken for.
As the sky lightened and the smattering of rain subsided, Jake took the stage. Instead of feeding off the student's energy, the group floated around their set list mumbling some pearls of wisdom between songs. As a point of perspective and humor, even their manager was chanting "don't say anything stupid. don't say anything stupid" as they introduced themselves to the audience.
After a half-dozen songs, this concertgoer called it quits. I think of myself as a pretty hardy when it comes to concerts - I believe I could even make it through an N*Sync concert, but I had enough tonight. Sadly, as I pulled away I saw the band break-out with an energy that challenged their look and sound. Students were hopping and the music was thumping. Perhaps I should have stayed a bit longer. Don't get me wrong, most students braved the threatening clouds and occasional drop to hear a likable band. But for me, Jake's track-assisted live performance didn't come close to their recorded sound.
I recommend adding their self-titled album to your CD collection but I'd hold-off their concerts for a year or so. They need more time to acclimate to the stage and to mild-mannered interviews. MBC has had a slew of great artists come and go (and many who started here) but to no-one's fault, this wasn't the greatest. Hey I keep telling myself - they can't all be Jars.
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JakeMusic.com
Jake @ Reunion Records
Jake was Welcome Weekend 2000's Featured Artist