Phillyist: Fillmore's Biggest Coverup

Elle

Sat, 21 Jul 2007 17:55:51 -0500

My friends and I went to the concert too, Polyphonic Spree was amazing! Sorry, but I have to agree that Jesca was unimpressive. She seemed to fumble over the lyrics and had to start songs over. Her guitar accompaniment was repetitive and consisted of only one or two riffs that anyone could easily learn. Overall, I wouldn't say she is horrible. It was just a pretty amateur performance, especially opening for pros like Spree.

Spencer Williams

Sat, 21 Jul 2007 16:13:56 -0500

I thought about writing a lengthy reply to that bullshit, but frankly for someone who is just signed in as "guest," I don't find a necessity to defend or refute my actions. Simply said, it sucked and I wanted everyone to know that. Apparently I made that clear. The audience deserved better. Much better.

guest

Sat, 21 Jul 2007 15:40:45 -0500

I am just an advocate for the artists of the world. I am sick of idiots swaying the general public based on a shallow interpretation of what art is. Sorry, but you yourself said you were too busy playing with your cell phone to care. I doubt it was because you where so bored you couldn't stand it. It was more likely because you are boring and under-cultured and need over stimulated content to appease your battered ear drums. Sure maybe the show was messy but I was there and I listened, despite the rude people who ruined it for those of us who do care and made it hard for a solo artist to feel comfortable playing for such a hard crowd. Jesca was amazing and her set was nothing less than brilliance in a rusty package. So I can honestly say that you have disappointed me. Enormously. I really don't care if you don't like her. The way you wrote about her was shallow and showed lack of depth and ability to see greatness. It's a quality that is a must in the world of critiquing. You should really be required to have a sense of culture before you are allowed to review. Maybe now would be a good time to gain one. It would add integrity to your words. I have been reading your column. I now know not to trust you to really give an honest listen before putting your words out for all to read. Remember people remember the bad comments much more than the good. All I am trying to get you to understand is...SHAME ON YOU FOR WRITING WITH OUT LISTENING! just get it and maybe take it to heart. It may do wonders for you in the future. You never know, maybe you will become a deeper individual and a better person in return.

Spencer Williams

Fri, 20 Jul 2007 18:21:58 -0500

I'm a critic - it's my job to critique the music and for whatever reason that night, it was bad. Unfortunate but true. It has nothing to do with strip malls, whacking off or soda pop. It was bad. Maybe Hoop had a bad night - wouldn't be surprised. She could barely tell a coherent story. She was all over the place. It was sloppy, unpolished, and simply unprofessional. I was ready to be her biggest fan, she disappointed me. Enormously.

guest

Fri, 20 Jul 2007 18:05:35 -0500

Jesca Hoop - 6:45pm Jesca Hoop's music is heart-wrenchingly beautiful. Hailing from Northern California, the singer-songwriter fills her music with an earnest honesty and deep emotion that pull her listeners straight into the intense stories of her songs. Raised a Mormon, Hoop left the environment of her youth to explore her own path - a path that led her to the house of Tom Waits. There she worked as his three children's nanny and developed a mentor relationship with Waits and his wife, Kathleen Brennan. The couple got Hoop's music in hands which could get it heard, and now Hoops awaits the release of her much-anticipated debut, Kismet. Website MySpace Hometown: Topanga, CA

guest

Fri, 20 Jul 2007 18:02:37 -0500

Tom Waits' Nanny and More... Hey music lovers! Had a chance to take in an artist you may be hearing about more in the near future. Her name is Jesca Hoop. She writes non-linear, emotionally wrought songs that may bring to mind what would happen if you took Kate Bush's voice and mixed it Tom Waits' delivery. No wonder, Jesca actually was a nanny for Tom Waits and his wife and songwriting partner, Kathleen Brennan. Tom and Kathleen slowly mentored her and helped get a copy of one of her songs in the right hands (Nic Harcourt). Hear my chat with Jesca next week on the TMD Morning Show. Also, be on the listen for Keller Williams, Martin Sexton and Paula Cole. Yes, Paula! It's been eight years and its good to hear her play music again. Peace for now

guest

Fri, 20 Jul 2007 17:59:16 -0500

Her name is Jesca Hoop. Getting it right would be nice to start off with and not every one will get it. You have a sence of self for one concidering she makes you feal. And not just a little. If you listen she really reaches with a truth that is hard to put into words. Some people want the same old crap regurgitated too them over and and over again. Like your silly cell phone games just to distract you from possibly experiencing something possibly meaningful and maybe expanding your shallow outlook on what art is. You are what is wrong with the world today. Whether you like it or not maybe you can try to see what it is that makes someone or something great rather than dismissing it because it doesn't fit into the normal paramiters that you call your existance. There is reason why Jesca is creating a loyal fan base and if you would have listened instead of whacking off , maybe you would have caught it. So have your "soda pop" and subscribe to the strip mall- everybodies doin it mentality. It's what seperates those who are and those who are not. I for one am greatful for being one of those who listens before judging.

guest

Wed, 04 Jul 2007 17:32:10 -0500

Having been to more Jesca Hoop performances than I can count, I can say that she is not "definitely on something" because she shushed the audience but just used to playing small venues where people come just to hear her. With just one small woman and an acoustic guitar, I can see how a Polyphonic Spree audience would drown her out easily. I think it was a bad idea to have her as an opener for something other than another acoustic artist. Sorry you didn't like her. She's one of my favorite performers, and I agree she's quite unusual--that's why I like her. Then again, Polyphonic Spree are pretty nuts in their own way. They put on a quite a show.