David Cook – XLent Acoustic Xmas – Orlando, FL

By On 12/14/2008 · 52 Comments · In Uncategorized

ETA: A couple of decent-quality videos from the concert have surfaced: Permanent and Man in the Box, Light On.

David Cook performs tonight at the House of Blues, Orlando FL as part of the XL 106.7 Acoustic Xmas show.   He’ll share the stage with Colbie Caillat, Natasha Bedingfield, and Gavin DeGraw.

SarahW is attending the show tonight and plans to text updates to PJ, so watch the comments sections for dispatches from Orlando.

Update: Sarah’s recap! Thank you, Sarah:

So, I was running late to the concert because I was out of town this weekend visiting family and my plane home arrived at 5:30. It was on schedule (I booked the tix way before I knew details about the show), but I was still rushing, because, well… the doors opened at 6:00 and I flew into an airport north of town, about an hour away from the HOB. So needless to say, I was pretty nervous about missing all of DC, or part of his set, because I was really scared he’d go first. But, thankfully I didn’t, since he went third in the lineup of four. I missed Natasha instead and am pretty bummed about that (I could have totally handled missing Colbie Caillat instead). But oh well.

The show was packed – it was sold out, but I managed to snag a pretty good spot for seeing the stage – right behind the sound boards, without very many people in front of me. I was pretty far back but had a really good view of the stage, mostly of David and Neal, and also sometimes Joey. I didn’t take any pics, because my camera phone takes really crappy pictures, and they weren’t allowing cameras in, so I didn’t even try. Sadness. And I really couldn’t get around without stepping on people. But hey, if new people are being exposed to Cook’s music, it’s all good, right? :)

More recap after the JUMP…

Okay, so onto the real recap. Since what most people reading this recap are most concerned about is DC, I’ll mostly skip over Gavin, except to say that he was amazing, and I. lurve. him. to. pieces. It was just him on stage for his set – no accompanying musicians – and he alternated between playing piano and guitar. He did some of his big hits, but rather curiously did not do the new single “Cheated on Me”, instead throwing in a couple other songs from the new album (which are a couple of my faves – “Young Love” and “I Have You To Thank”), as well as a hilarious rendition of “Silver Bells” because he started playing it but only knew the words to the chorus. So he ad-libbed the entire verse. Totally cracked me up – the guy is absolutely hilarious. He said that he normally tells lots of dirty jokes at his shows, but had to remember that this was an all ages show, so he had to keep it clean – right before he sang the song about needing a couple drinks to fall in love. Hee! Anyway, he was awesome and I’d totally recommend going to see him in concert if you haven’t.

Now, DC. The whole band was there. Andy, Neal, and David were all playing acoustic guitars and Joey and Kyle were on bass and drums, as usual. The only song that was truly acoustic was “Permanent” when Joey and Kyle left the stage and Andy played keyboards, Neal played guitar, and David just sang. So, the acoustic versions were not all slowed down ballady songs, but still pretty much had an acoustic feel. It worked.

Going down the setlist:

“Declaration” – Sounded really good, but it seemed like he was intentionally holding back on some of the glory notes, from my vantage point at least. Love the song, would definitely be able to get behind it being the next single. I love it because whether you’re listening to the album or listening to him live, it does kind of set the stage for the rest of the listener’s experience.

In his lead-in to the next song, he asked who had “the record” and got some cheers. Then he goes, “for those of you who don’t, I believe there’s a Virgin Megastore right across from here, and I think they might have a few copies in stock.” Hee. :) To corroborate his statement – there IS a Virgin Megastore right across from the HOB, and the last time I was there (last weekend), they did have some DCTR’s in stock. :)

“Life on the Moon” – Introduced this as the song that kind of talks about what the last year of his life has been like (of course). I really liked the live, acoustic version of this song. I like it on the album well enough, but it grew on me more by hearing him sing it live.

“Permanent” – Beautiful. Heartbreaking. Would have been perfect if not for the 12 year olds screaming in the middle of it. I wanted to yell, “STFU!!! Do you even know what this song is about?! It’s not a song to scream in the middle of!” /rant. :) However, the big glory note at the end was just that – glorious. He sounded absolutely incredible, and it amazes me that he can actually sing this live. I’d be bawling my eyes out.

As mentioned, Joey and Kyle did not play on “Permanent” – they actually left the stage. And when they came back out, Dave made a joke about how Joey does a really good Bill Cosby and made him demonstrate it to just a smattering of applause. Which then prompted a “well maybe it’s not as good as we thought” reaction from Dave. Well, dear, I must say that it actually was quite decent, but I hate to tell ya that probably about half the kids in that audience have no idea who the hell Bill Cosby is, sadly enough.

“Heroes” – I loved this live. I wasn’t originally crazy about this song when I first heard it on the album, but it’s growing on me… it has a great hook – which there were actually people singing along to tonight. That kinda surprised me, and I guess surprised him too, because he kinda paused to listen while people were singing along and then nodded and said “Nice.” :)

“Mr. Sensitive” – I’ve never been a huge fan of this song, and while he sang it perfectly well tonight, it probably was my least favorite just because it’s one of my least favorite songs. And unlike LOTM and “Heroes”, the live performance didn’t do much to make me like it more. I would have preferred “Bar-Ba-Sol” or “Lie” or “Avalanche” instead.

“Man in the Box” – So awesome. He prefaced this song by saying that they want to prove that they’re a rock band, and since this is a Christmas show, they thought they’d do this song, since THEY think it’s about Christmas presents. LOL. Anyway, he sounded great, and got a great audience response after the song.

So, next – a stagehand brought out Mickey Mouse ears to all the guys, and a Santa Hat with Mickey Mouse ears for DC. He said, “now, I know normally when you see a guy with Mickey Mouse ears on, you say ‘mmmm, sexy.’ But this whole thing was really more for Joey.” DC apparently made him wear them because he’s a Denver Broncos fan (they’re in the same division in the NFL as the Chiefs – yes, I KNOW my football. :) ), and that’s “worse” than being a Chiefs fan. And he said that he made everyone else wear them because he pays them enough to. Heh. It was adorable.

So, they played “Light On” wearing Mickey Mouse ears the entire time. It was awesome. Heh. The song itself was fine. Still one of my least faves on the album, but it’s still growing on me, and he had some crowd sing-a-long going on. He also asked us to all get out our cell phones and light up the place. Then after the song was over and they were leaving the stage, most of the guys threw the ears out into the audience. Sadly, I was not close enough to catch any. Heh.

All in all, he was fantastic. Sounded great, looked great, got a great reception from the crowd. But of course, he got a LOT of love from the crowd at the AI tour when it came to Tampa too, so I’m not too surprised. :) I can’t wait for him to come back and do a full show!! Orlando loves them some Cookie!

 
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  • http://myspace.com/saltwatercures pj

    Sarah missed Natasha’s entire set. Gavin is up now. She says it’s packed and her cell service is off and on.

  • Trina

    I’m following the cellcert at Rickey’s. So far

    Declaration
    Life On the Moon
    Permanent
    Heroes
    Mr. Sensitive
    Man in the Box! Alice in Chains FTMFW!!
    Light On

    And I read there that Joey told some fans the other night in Ohio the tour starts February 9th! A college tour running from 2/9-5/1 to be exact :jittery_tb: Oh and he went to Carrie’s concert last night, again. I shamelessly admit that makes my Carrie/Cookie fangirl lovin heart plode a little.

  • FolkFan

    How acoustic was his set, Trina?

  • leome

    Didn’t sound acoustic at all, it was pretty much like the last one, but with a different cover, which seemed quite amazing btw.

    Also, I don’t think Permenent went rocking at the end, like it did on Thursday.
    But it was cellcast… so who knows.

    David was very talkative though, but I couldn’t understand a word.

  • Trina

    Yeah it didn’t sound acoustic to me at all. Sounded pretty rockin! And if video doesn’t surface of LO I may kill someone. They all had mouse ears on LOLLOL

  • baxter

    Just heard from Sarah….she will be in later to give her recap but I will touch on a couple of the highlights and let her expand on them.

    Mickey Mouse ears santa hat, Bill Cosby, The Denver Broncos, real rock band, Virgin record store, and screaming 12 yr olds…( It was an all age show)

    Sarah said he did great and really enjoyed the show, esp Gavin and DC.

  • mac

    Oh and he went to Carrieà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s concert last night, again.

    Mmmmmm…I would still like to see Carrie and Cookie hook up and have Idol babies!!!!! Keeping my fingers crossed. As long as they are still crossing paths, there is hope. LOL

    Can’t wait for videos.

  • http://myspace.com/saltwatercures pj

    Also just talked to Sarah. She said Permanent was completely acoustic with Neil and Andy only. Sounds like the full band played on the other songs. I guess the real rock band comment was made before covering Alice and Chains. Sounds like many in the crowd knew the songs. She said he sounded really good, maybe a little hoarse. Killed the note in Permanent.

  • Jul

    OMG, just the three of them for Permanent?! Kill me now.

    I want to hear all about this banter!!

    Also, MJ..did your friend get video? I’m pretty sure I heard nobody got cameras in. Don’t get my hopes up, LOL.

  • http://myspace.com/girlgeek mj

    Also, MJ..did your friend get video? Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m pretty sure I heard nobody got cameras in. Donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t get my hopes up, LOL.

    No she doesn’t have a video camera…

  • movin2thabeet

    Jess twittered from the venue that she knows her friend will have a video up of Man in the Box taken with her camera phone. Also got some banter.

  • cheese

    Thanks for posting the updates baxter and pj. I was thinking that he would be singing “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” or “Happy Christmas” at this acoustic, all ages, um, Christmas show, but no, he does “Man in the Box.” Haha.

  • http://www.myspace.com/gwendolyndiane GwendolynD

    Cookie and Carrie sitting in a tree…..

    Just kidding.

    I’m hearing that policies were very strict. Very difficult to sneak a camera in.

    Please, please, please, please, please…

    David Cook & EEB, get your behinds to Texas already!!!!

  • http://www.myspace.com/swood1104 Sarah

    Okay, I’m back. About to start working on a full recap. No, I don’t have video, and I didn’t see any “real” cameras in there. People who were taking pictures were doing so with their phones. So if video does turn up, that would be great, but I kinda doubt we’ll get every song.

    All in all, the show was really good. Dave sounded really good, looked good, and the banter was totally FTW. The only “true” acoustic song was “Permanent,” as pj relayed. And “Man in the Box” was amazing. The group of college age guys in front of me really liked that one. Heh.

    Okay, gonna work on recap. Be back soon. :)

    ETA: Cheese, he did say that they wanted to show that they are a “real rock band” so they were doing this song (“Man in the Box”) that they think is about Christmas presents. LOL. :)

  • poporange

    Way to go Sarah of course pj for being the middleman….I am in chat watching paint dry..not thier long

  • cheese

    Hmm, looks like Colbie, Gavin and David all sang something together at the end of the show?

    http://flickr.com/photos/8384256@N04/3109541346/

  • http://www.myspace.com/swood1104 Sarah

    Aww fun, cheese. Thanks! I had a feeling they might do something together at the end, and I’m kinda sad I missed it, but I just couldn’t stand much more Colbie. All her songs sound pretty much the same, and I’m tired. It’s been a long day. So I left in the middle of her 4th song.

  • leome

    Hmm, looks like Colbie, Gavin and David all sang something together at the end of the show?

    http://flickr.com/photos/8384256@N04/3109541346/

    Oh… Awsome. Juding by the numbers of lights in that picture I hope we get to see what that was.

    Sarah, thanks for those bits.

  • elisad

    Aww, sorry about that Sarah, I remember you flove Gavin. But Colbie Caillat, um, isn’t that good…

  • http://myspace.com/girlgeek mj

    I just edited Sarah’s recap into the post!

    Thank you Sarah…

  • http://www.myspace.com/swood1104 Sarah

    You’re welcome. :) I wanted to do it and finish it tonight so that it actually got done before things get crazy for the holidays and I forget.

    It was a great show… I really can’t wait to see them on their own tour, doing more than 7 songs. I think they’ll be a lot of fun.

  • mac

    Thanks for the recap Sarah!

  • Seachange

    Thank you so much, Sarah and MJ, for the great recap. I was too impatient to wait for video that I resorted to the recorded cellcast for the first time ever. LMAO! (HAHAHA! just for emphasis). The set sounded amazing inspite of everything! (And I understood not a single word.)

    The recap confirmed how good it really was and added to the feel of it. How lucky are we that you were there, Sarah. If we never get a video I am still happy.

    Loooved Man in the Box, ugh!

  • FolkFan

    Awesome recap, Sarah.

  • cookcricket

    Sarah, thanks for your recap! Great job!!! Hope to see “Man in a Box” and banter soon. I don’t understand the purpose of not allowing cameras and videos in the venue. It just escapes me…
    I understood the vids for the AI concert because of wanting peeps to attend future shows, but this was a one time deal and anyone who wasn’t there can’t go ‘next time’. Huh.

  • gingerly

    Thanks for the recap, Sarah. Can’t wait til he comes within 300 miles of Chicago. I’m so there!

  • FolkFan

    I think it’s a House of Blues thing, cookcricket. From what I understand, HOB does not allow cameras at any concerts.

  • Shook

    Just got home-absolutely amazing!! Got there by noon and already about 12-15 people in line. We got in just after 5pm and where right up front just to the Andy side but more center second row. Sarah gave a great recap so I won’t repeat what she said but Joey’s impression of Bill Cosby was just one word “Rudy”.
    Davids vocals once again were wonderful. On parts of Declaration we were all clapping with our hands in the air and he said he liked that!! Just watching them perform together having a great time was fun!! One of the ladies in front of me caught Joeys mouse ears and even tho she travelled all the way from Seattle she gave them to a young girl there. A few people got guitar picks too!
    Permanent will never be the same for me. The emotion and the prolonged glory note which he held forever then even went up another notch higher was beyond belief. The tight white knuckle grip he had on the mic and watching him hold it together while you could tell he was so emotional is something I will never forget.
    Since this was an acoustic show they all sat on stools while performing all the songs!! I must say I was so impressed by Andy tonight-I had a great view and watching him perform was a treat. Also seeing him close up at the Virgin store-he is a very good looking guy!
    I know Sarah mentioned Light On and David asked us to hold our phones up etc but behind him Joey held a lighter on-cracked David up when he turned and saw him!
    One of my friends is the one who got “Man in the Box’ that Jess also saw and hopefully she will have it up tomorrow. I think she alos got some good pictures.

    Late in the afternoon Kyle, Andy, Joey and Andrew Cook were outside the Virgin Mega store talking with fans and taking pictures so I imagine some will show up online soon. Also Gavin DeGraw was out with fans for a while then also. He was great as Sarah said!

    We left after David & the bands set to give Colbie fans our up front spots and to go sit outside so I did not see them all on stage. We did see the band & Andrew leave first-walked past the crowd giving some high 5′s and headed to the car waiting. Then a minute or so later David came out and did stop briefly sharpie in hand, did some signing and not sure if he did any photos but I did get a hug and talk to him for a few seconds!!

    There were lots of cellphones there tonight. I think pictures and hopefully some videos will show up soon!

  • SashaB

    Thanks so much, Sarah, for such a detailed and great recap. I’d love to hear an acoustic Declaration. Wow.

    Quick question on the photo with David, Colbie and Gavin – there’s a guy playing what looks to be a ukele. Are those back? I always giggle when I see them and think of Don Ho, the Hawaiin singer.

  • FolkFan

    Thanks for the recap, Shook.

    BTW, the Atlanta radio station sponsoring tonight’s concert has confirmed that DC is the headliner. Which is good. Because it seemed like 75% if not more of the people calling in to try to win tickets were DC fans.

  • Trina

    I guess this answers the question regarding what DC, Gavin and Colbie sang..
    Jackson 5 – One More Chance
    The quality isn’t great but the little I can hear sounds like they blended well together.

  • msergio

    i went to the website for XL’ent Acoustic and found some pics there of David Cook. You can go to the website and check them out.
    http://www.xl1067.com
    http://thumbsnap.com/v/yKus3VLE.jpg
    http://thumbsnap.com/v/dYmmbSh8.jpg

  • leome

    Thanks everyone for the recaps. Sounds like it was a bit acoustic somehow. Too bad we can’t get good quality videos. I want that Permanent with the glory note. The boy was chatty last night…

    Jackson 5 – One More Chance
    The quality isnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t great but the little I can hear sounds like they blended well together.

    Not great quality indeed but it is quite the teaser. They do sound fantastic together. At least the radio station could provide that one…

  • luci
  • spanishfan

    That is the most sensational performance of Permanent. His voice gets better and better every time. What a live performer he is.

    I would love to hear Man in the Box.

  • leome

    There is Man In The Box video! And it’s a great one

    Man in The Box

  • Garnetstar

    Yeah I was there last night and it was amazing. Thanks for the Man in The Box video. It was nice to see it again. I was blown away. The whole set was amazing. It’s not just David anymore it’s the whole band they have really gelled and sound like a unit. Great job.

  • weareallinnocent

    Thanks so much for the pics and videos!!!

  • spanishfan

    Man in the Box is superb. What a fantastic acoustic version. They should record it.

  • http://www.myspace.com/gwendolyndiane GwendolynD

    There is Man In The Box video! And ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s a great one

    Man in The Box

    Thank you, thank you thank you!!!

  • May

    Ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s not just David anymore ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s the whole band they have really gelled and sound like a unit. Great job.

    I couldn’t agree more. I also love the banter that David has with the guys in the band and the fact that he makes a point of giving them shoutouts whenever he can. I thought the performance of “Man in the Box” was amazing (and I’ve never been crazy about that song). I know it was accoustic but it didn’t even sound accoustic! David’s vocals are just consistently amazing live. Andy’s backup singing was perfect and Neal just rocks on the guitar. Permanent of course was beautiful. Thanks so much for the recaps, Sarah and Shook!

  • May

    Someone recently posted a 1 minute clip of Life on the Moon on UTube. The sound is very good:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rI4400VTowQ

  • movin2thabeet

    MJ, Your link above under ETA says ‘Hunger Strike’ and it’s really ‘Man in the Box’.

  • Seachange

    Oh my God, Man in the Box was even better than I could imagine! And yeah, acoustic too! When David smiles near the beginning you can see that he’s enjoying himself so much!

    I remember in one of his earliest AI interviews he said it would be cool to do some Alice in Chains sometime, Man in the Box specifically. A pity that that interview was pulled from YouTube since, and I haven’t found it anywhere else.

    First Hunger Strike, then this. It gives me an emotional rush each time he closes a circle like that.

  • EmmaJK

    Seachange -

    It’s still there!

    Top 24 Interview

  • Seachange

    Ahaha, thanks, Emma! Glad to see it was re-posted. It made me chuckle to watch it again. Funny, I can see many similarities in that interview with the present David than with David in the latter stages of AI. :smile_wp:

  • spanishfan

    Just to add to my posts, I want to congratulate David on reaching Gold status for DCTR. With only 50% of the vote in, according to HDD, he has 57,000 which gives him a total of 537,000 with 50% to still come in. Congratulations David and the EEB and may your platinum dream come true.

    Also happy birthday David C. Your music is giving me such pleasure.

  • Hazehel

    Here’s the Hunger Strike one from Atlanta if it hasn’t been posted before -

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MiCfRWF_53k

    It includes a surprise birthday cake from his brother dressed as Kris Kringle, and start of Barbasol.

    The rest of Barbasol here –
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ApRP4wheUPA

    Also Light On from Orlando with the band wearing Mickey Mouse ears -
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLr3WCcV1Kw

  • sunchick

    I was there at the HOB. It was epic. Man in the Box was like, better than sex. Almost. Permanent, beautiful. Did I mention it was epic?

    Santa has dropped a few pounds. And gained a Southern accent! :laugh_tb:

  • hardkandy

    I loved his Permanent here. Better than the one from Jingle Ball, if that’s even possible. He can never go wrong when he performs this song live, the lyrics already have so much power… and then when he hits those glory notes… just wow.

  • leome

    A review from this one, Hey Santa, how about a bit more David Cook for Christmas?

    Thankfully, Caillat had three resident pros to learn from on Sunday.

    Heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s Cookinà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢
    Performing on Americaà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s biggest stage has helped Cook with stage presence, and he was fun to watch on Sunday. From a call for all cell phones to be swung like lighters during à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Light Onà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  to forcing all band members to wear Mickey Mouse ears during the song, Cook didnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t take himself too seriously. Despite the acoustic nature of the gig, Cook was also determined to show the bandà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“rockà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  status, highlighted by a great cover of à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Man in the Boxà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  by Alice In Chains. Like Bedingfield, Cookà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s time on stage was entirely too short, lasting only seven songs.

  • luci

    awesome review