69 live songs

Saw one or two "preview" shows that were just Stephin and his ukulele, playing songs that ended up later on 69LS. Since we were all hearing those songs for the first time, they were extra-super-amazing. Later, I saw the first full-on live performance of the first half of the songs, at the Knitting Factory (really good--I remember the room bursting into applause at the end of the first chorus of "Papa Was a Rodeo") and both nights of the final performance, at Lincoln Center (more finessed arrangements, somewhat NPR'ed out, but hey, it was the conquering moment of my subculture).

I have seen them play stupendously - enough to win me over for the first time, for instance: almost no other band has ever done that - and a lot worse. Venue seems to make a difference.

Douglas is correct, I'd say, to imply that - due to initial impact of lyrics, etc - hearing their songs for the first time live can be more powerful than hearing them when they're familiar. Come to think of it, that's the opposite of my experience of most bands.

In general, there is something about the idea of the MFs live that doesn't quite make sense for, or to, me. It feels like a compromise with the general refusal of liveness and presence. There are arguments against that (eg. the opportunity to give campy overdone vocal performances in the flesh), but they don't quite match the arguments for. That mildly 'intellectual' case doesn't mean they shouldn't play live, of course. And like Toby, I would quite like to hear more bootlegs.

Their banter isn't as good as it could be.