'Jagged Little Pill' is Alanis' greatest hit's album. It's as easy as that. All her releases since, while are adequate and are very listenable, none of them come close to the monster that 'JLP' is. The proof? Her setlist for the concert on the 28th of November was 20 songs long. 9 of those were from 'JLP'. 6 were from the new album 'Havoc and Bright Lights' and the remaining 5 from other albums and the like.
Now, most artists have that one record, their most popular, the one with the most recognisable tunes on that they rely on for live performances, but to be playing 9 songs from your debut album more than 17 years after its first release? It surely is proof of the album's lasting appeal.
I've been a fan of Alanis's since hearing 'JLP' for the first time back when it was released in 1995. I remember feeling like such a rebel at 11 years old listening to 'You Oughta Know' on my headphones at school. I've not been a dedicated fan, more a casual fan but one who counts 'JLP' as one of his favourite albums of all time.
Alanis was due to come on at 21:00 but didn't make it on until 21:35. I personally think 30 minutes is fine to wait as it helps build up the anticipation. However, on this occasion, people seemed a little annoyed. Not Guns 'n Roses at Reading Festival a few years back annoyed, but more a stern look from a teacher who's not best pleased with your tardiness. Also, what may have helped is that we drove in so we didn't have to worry about making trains or buses or other such malarkey.
She opened with a song I didn't know called 'Woman Down'. First songs are always generally awful as the technicians are still sorting out any sound issues and other such things. This one was no different. It didn't take too long though to get to our first taste of 'JLP'. 'All I Really Want' started with its beautiful harmonica and guitar intro. Beautiful stuff. This was followed by 'You Learn'.
Now, I can get emotional at concerts with certain songs that have special meaning to me. If you've read my previous blogs on seeing Bruce in New Jersey you'll know. However, I was not expecting to get emotional during this one. My favourite song off 'JLP' is 'Mary Jane' and always gets me going. I'm not sure what came over me but I shed a tear (or two) during 'You Learn'. I couldn't tell you why. Maybe as I've grown older the lyrics finally make sense to me or some other similar bullshit, who knows. Anyway, below is the video of 'You Learn' :
After another song I didn't know came 'Mary Jane'. I'm not going to say anything about it. Instead I'll just put the video here for you to watch.
She is a strange performer live. I get the feeling that if she could be a singer and never have to tour she would. She seems so awkward on stage. The way she walks back and forth, to and fro, from one side of the stage to the other only to stopping for the odd song that she would sing with a mic stand. It could get a little distracting at times but you soon forgot about it when the chords of a familiar 'JLP' song started up. Her head banging during the frantic climax to 'Uninvited' is quite something else as well. She looks like she's having a seizure of some sort. But, somehow, it fits her. She doesn't engage with the audience at all. Literally only saying 'thank you' multiple times throughout the concert. There's no small talk, no shenanigans with the band members. Nothing. But, again, it somehow fits her personality.
I may come across as being very critical of Alanis as a performer but I will happily go see her again. She's a legend, simply put. Alanis comes across as an awkward, shy, phenomenally talented teenager at the age of 38. She may be happily married and all that but to me, she'll always be the angry 21 year old girl who could quite possibly pull a Glen Close and boil your bunny.
