Mark Eitzel and The Magnetic Fields
2.21.10 | The Aladdin Theater

Driving to Portland when it is sunny and 60 out, wonderful. It was so sunny out that we had to blow cold air in the car, it felt like summer time!!! I have never been to concert in Portland and Matt hadn’t been in a while so getting to the hotel was a bit of a struggle however dinner was rewarding enough to get the whole “getting lost” taste out of our mouths! We had an amazing dinner with some wonderful people at a place called The Berlin Inn. Straight up German food, no bullshit, no Americanized additions. Props to Erinn and Jen for picking!!! It is a minute from the Aladdin in this super cozy warm old house decorated with German flags, art, and plants. Erinn and Jen rocked delicious looking fondue, Matt had a Bavarian pretzel and soup, and I devoured Eggplant Schnitzel. Is your mouth watering? Check it out if you are in Portland well worth the time, I would recommend reservations as well it is a very small intimate setting.

Enough about food (yum) the show was breathtaking. Does that sound cheesy? It was everything I would of hoped/dreamed and more. The Aladdin is a darling little theater like the Met but a bit bigger and it was packed (the show was sold out). So full that it is general admission and all the seats were taken so people lined the walls of the theater and sat in the floor of the walkways. The crowd was respectful and we all laughed, loved, and enjoyed the night (at least the people in our section did).

Mark Eitzel took the stage with Steve Didelot on piano. Fantastic. I felt like Mark was standing on stage telling us and explicating these personal stories that made you feel emotions and illustrate images in your mind. He had an honest warm personality and the voice of a Broadway singer. Very quirky. Every song had a story behind it; first about the time he was in New York by the World Trade Center or when he was in San Francisco in a bar with wonderful friends. A personal favorite of the night was the song about a gay stripper. Mark has this smooth lounge voice that can reach all highs and lows and then Steve would do a little back up; the two compliment each other like a bee to a flower. I would love to see this duo again and again, I think each time would be a new treat.

Oh man, I just think of love (the good with the bad) when I think of them. All five them relaxed in their chairs set the scenery for a night of whimsical folk, country, pop, indie, rock, goth, mixture known as the Magnetic Fields. It was quite in the theater as Matt and I sat in the far back right of the room. You heard every giggle, whisper, stare, pick, pluck, and hum on the stage. Every instrument you heard was there; the stage was full and acoustic.

Opening with “Kiss Me Like You Mean It,” then going into “You Must Be Out of Your Mind,” then “Luckiest Guy on the Lower East Side,” to “Were having a Hootenanny,” to “You’re my Only Home”, to “Shipwrecked,” to the iTunes only Bonus song off their new album and I had to stop taking notes, “You You You You You.” The night had songs from various albums of theirs which was perfect. You had a taste of 69 Love Songs, Realism, The Charm of the Highway Strip, Holiday and more! I couldn’t have asked for a better set list. The group even played “All I Want to Know” from the soundtrack to Pieces of April.

Not only was the set list romantically heartbreaking and funny the night was so intimate and they were just themselves. No one was stuck up or rude, it was straight forward – hey this is who we are and we are old and we will be to bed in 10 minutes after our last song. Stephin and Claudia act like they are married even though they obviously aren’t. Just a talented group musically and lyrically. I have nothing bad to say about the night. Other then I guess I should be afraid to go to Mary’s and get a T-Shirt.  If you do not know who the Magnetic Fields are please take a moment and do a little research. Does good to your heart. Magnetic Fields thank you for making my Sunday, February 21st cherished forever.

Andrea@checkitoutmusic.com