The Heads featuring Johnette Napolitano
October 25, 1996
The Roxy
West Hollywood, CA
Sonic Studios DSM-6 (AA battery powered) -> Sony TCD-D3 DAT master @48kHz
~25 feet from PA
DAT master on Fostex D-5 -> digital coax -> M-Audio Fast Track Pro -> USB ->
Adobe Audition 3.0 (fades, 48>44.1) > CDWAV 1.98 > Trader's Little Helper 2.5.0 > FLAC
Recording and transfer by Jeff Lester
01. Memories Can't Wait
02. Warning Sign
03. I Don't Care Anymore
04. Drive Me
05. Only the Lonely
06. If I Had a Dog Like You
07. The King is Gone
08. Take Me to the River
09. Damage I've Done
10. No Big Bang*
11. No Talking Just Head
12. Punk Lolita
13. Psycho Killer
14. break
15. E1: Burning Down the House&
16. Life During Wartime&
17. break
18. E2: Rev It Up&
19. Genius Of Love&
Johnette Napolitano - lead vocals, guitar
Jerry Harrison - keyboards, guitar, vocals
Tina Weymouth - bass, vocals
Chris Frantz - drums
T. "Blast" Murray - guitar
*Maria McKee - lead vocals
&Steve Scales - conga
From the Los Angeles Times archives:
http://articles.latimes.com/1996-10-26/entertainment/ca-57804_1_tune
Napolitano Provides Energy to Heads Set
Pop Music Reviews
October 26, 1996|NATALIE NICHOLS
The Heads didn't actually discuss former Talking Heads frontman David Byrne during their Roxy show
Thursday, but Tina Weymouth, Jerry Harrison and Chris Frantz sent a clear message right before the
encore, via an electronic board flashing an array of slogans, among them: "Welcome our new singer
Johnette . . . we're ego downsizing."
One might say they'd already downsized expectations on their debut album, "No Talking Just Head."
A variety of guest-star vocalists-songwriters makes the collection play more like an audition than a
coherent statement. On this sold-out first of three Roxy shows, however, former Concrete Blonde
frontwoman Johnette Napolitano's vocals meshed seamlessly with the Heads' funky, offbeat melodies,
providing focus and much-needed energy.
During the 90-minute set, Napolitano helped spin numerous old Talking Heads tunes too, giving them an
earthy feel where Byrne made them arty. (Byrne filed a lawsuit against his former bandmates when they
announced the name of the new group, but the suit was recently settled out of court--terms were not
disclosed--permitting Weymouth and Frantz to go ahead with their plans.)
Relaxed and playful, Napolitano was as excited as a schoolgirl to share the stage with Blondie diva
Debbie Harry, who sang on "Punk Lolita" and the album's title tune. Album guest-star Maria McKee
stepped up to sing "No Big Bang," but her more reserved style didn't mesh as well with the band's
razor-sharp live groove. Aided by drummer Frantz, bassist Weymouth both anchored and buoyed the set
with her deft rhythms.
The mood was predominantly upbeat, with some darker shadings from such numbers as the Napolitano
collaboration "Damage I've Done" and the Talking Heads' signature "Psycho Killer" (during which
Napolitano briefly parodied Byrne's stage moves).
They triumphantly revisited Al Green's searingly soulful "Take Me to the River" (recorded by Talking
Heads on 1978's "More Songs About Buildings and Food" album). In her natural element, Napolitano
nailed the difficult vocal, while the band loosened up and let the tune sprawl.
A communal vibe took over during the encores, which included such vintage items as "Life During
Wartime," Harrison's solo tune "Rev It Up" and the Tom Tom Club hit "Genius of Love." These
venerable new-wave musicians proved they can step confidently into the future--all they really
needed was a "Head" transplant.
* The Heads play tonight at the Roxy, 9009 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, 8 p.m. $20. (310) 278-9457.