Reviews of the first NJ show
Here are some of the review excerpts with links to the full reviews of the first of two Red Hot Chili Peppers’ shows in East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA.
New York Times said:
Musicianship propelled the show, which heavily featured Mr. Frusciante�s guitar playing: in terse eight-bar pockets, extended codas and rubbery interludes with Flea. Soloing on �Throw Away Your Television,� Mr. Frusciante tossed off a tangled ribbon of notes, in the language of Jimi Hendrix. He was just as powerful on �Don�t Forget Me,� trilling intensely over a distorted bass riff; when he dropped to his knees, and then onto his back, it felt more like a spirit possession than an act of stagecraft.
Newsday said:
At Tuesday’s show it seemed the songs existed only as a framework for the musicians – particularly Frusciante and Flea – to demonstrate their virtuosity. The two play well together: Flea has a taut, rhythmic style and it balances nicely with Frusciante’s penchant for long, screaming leads. This paid off on the tempestuous “Don’t Forget Me,” where Flea’s lockstep bassline cleared the way for Frusciante’s panicked, fevered playing. The group wisely performs without an entourage of backing musicians, so the songs have a lean, sinewy sound, and if the transitions between verses and choruses are still a bit clunky, they simply offer a few instrumental flourishes to distract.
And here’s the setlist, thanks to Marian:
Jam
Can’t Stop
Dani California
Scar Tissue
Jam
Charlie
Fortune Faded
Readymade
Blood Sugar Sex Magik
Jam
Flea’s Bass Solo
Throw Away Your Television/Don’t You Ever Leave
Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?
Snow (Hey Oh)
Me And My Friends
Stadium Arcadium
London Calling/Right On Time
Bass Solo
Don’t Forget Me
Tell Me Baby
John/Flea jam/Californication
By The Way
I Could Have Lied
You’re Gonna Get Yours/Give It Away
End Jam
