Liz Phair

We saw Liz Phair’s acoustic show at the Birchmere last night. She’s also playing tonight. When the shows were announced a while back, I waited to find out the best one for Jill’s schedule before I bought tix, and by the time I went to buy some, they sold out. So I’d been monitoring eBay and Craigslist for a pair. Demand was much higher than supply, and I hadn’t obtained any by yesterday.

Jill was so sure I wouldn’t get any, she wore scrubs to work. Around 4:30, a new entry popped up on Craigslist, and I emailed the guy. Jill was leaving work about that time, so I told her to hang in Starbucks for 30 minutes. When I hadn’t gotten a reply by 5, I told her to head home. At 5:15, I finally got a reply. I emailed him my phone and called Jill. She pulled over while we mulled what to do, then we decided we’d meet at Dick’s in Fair Lakes. I got a call from the guy, and agreed to meet at the Birchmere. So I met up with Jill, and we took 66 -> Beltway -> 50 -> Glebe. Traffic wasn’t too bad, took us about 45 minutes, and we met the guy, slipped him the cash, and were at a table at 7:20, with 10 minutes to spare before the opening act.

We ordered food (a pitcher of Dogfish Head Shelter Pale Ale, taco salad to split, bbq pizza for Jill and bacon cheesburger for me) and watched Cary Brothers (not too shabby, his voice reminded me of Howie Day), then chowed down on our food. Liz came out looking great in a red top and short skirt with a guitarist, and launched right into “Polyester Bride” and “Never Said” (my favorite songs from the third and first CDs). I found it interesting how her new stuff blends right in with the older stuff. She played several brand new songs, as well as all the classic tracks. “Flower” is even better slowed down and acoustic – I even heard gasps around me from people whom I suppose hadn’t listened that closely to the song. We left during “Supernova” as Jill continues her punishing week of working Monday-Thrusday at her regular job and then pulling a 12 hour shift today and tomorrow night at Georgetown.