Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds Live on KCRW — “Higgs Boson Blues”

Nick Cave gives the people what they want. (Photo by Larry Hirshowitz)

When Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds came by our Apogee Studio Sessions in between Coachella shows they really put the emphasis on studio.

Most of the time, these intimate performances have a way of turning into mini-concerts that aren’t necessarily recording sessions but are a far cry from The Greek. But on a Thursday in April, the powerful presence that is Nick Cave and all his tailored-suit glory sat behind a piano and did something completely out of the ordinary for the ordinarily theatrical performer.

He played old songs and new songs at the behest of a barking crowd who shouted out titles that he should play while Cave shouted back songs that he could play. In another instance, while working through the song “Wild Lovely Eyes” Cave actually stopped in the middle of it to dismiss it as something “that got away from us.” Only to return to it and deliver it in full later on.

Before starting “People Ain’t No Good” he asked around his band to find out what key it started in, before his fingers worked the piano until it made sense to him.

There were times when the lanky Cave with slicked back hair would tower over the crowd who eagerly jockeyed to touch his hand while delivering the a rarity such as “Jack The Ripper” in full force.

Still there were other times when he almost became workman like and sat behind the piano with the headphones on as if he were recording his next album.

In every instance, in every song it was Nick Cave being totally and unabashedly himself. Just maybe not as some had expected.

But I guess that’s the best indicator of a true performers mettle, the ability to be you without doing what everyone expects of you. I can’t wait to see what’s next for him.

Sadly, he declined video but here is one of our favorite tracks from the evening for your listening pleasure:

Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds Live on KCRW — “Higgs Boson Blues”

Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds Live on KCRW

Higgs Boson Blues

Far From Me

Stranger Than Kindness

The Mercy Seat

Wide Lovely Eyes (1/2 song)

No More Shall We Part

Wide Lovely Eyes

Breathless (Few bars only)

Mermaids

God Is In The House

Into My Arms

People Ain’t No Good

Push The Sky Away

Jack The Ripper