I saw Tortoise for the first time about five years ago in a packed show at Canes. I had just gotten my first couple CDs of theirs the month before the show, so I wasn't as big a Tortoise-freak as I would later become. I've collected numerous recordings these past five years, and I was hoping they'd play something from their entire span.

I happened to grab the last stage front spot when I got to the Casbah around 9pm. Some people have been waiting a long time to see this show,and they don't mind standing in one spot for three hours to be therewhen it happens. Mostly other photographers. We're strange like that.

But first, Das Boton opened up. Click on a photo to go to the full gallery.



I heard that one of the members used to be in 5ive Style, which was a great, funky proto-Tortoise group that made a couple records. It only took a few seconds into the first song to realize that it was Billy Dolan on the quirky funk guitar that sounded really familiar.







Good stuff, especially since I spent their set drinking my first Cranhammer. Ben Johnson likes to make a good stiff drink. I highly recommend ordering one.

------------------------------------------

It was cool that Tortoise chose to book their tour in smaller venues like the Casbah. They could have probably sold out the Belly Up, but it's not the same thing as being so close to each other and to the crowd.

Click on a photo to go to the full gallery.



To see this band right in front of me like this was surreal. These are real Rock Stars, and they're close enough to sweat on me!









They played all their hits. There's just not much to say, other than it was an intense show.



Chris Woo got off a couple flashes before John Herndon shut him down. I happened to catch his very last flash for my favorite catchflash shot yet.



These are total luck shots, but the more shots you take, the luckier youget.









I also have their set list, but it's no help when it comes to which songs they played. Just like everything else they do, it has its own logic to how it references the titles. All three-letter names.


------------
All Images Copyright © Michael Klayman 2008-2010, All Rights Reserved.
Please ask for permission before downloading or linking to them.