4 • THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
COMEDY&MUSIC
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14,2002
Comedy carves a niche in downtown Lawrence
By Amy Kelly
akelly@kansan.com
Jayplay writer
Music plays an important role in a typical night in downtown Lawrence. From the Bottleneck to the Replay Lounge, music is king in Larryville. But the fiddlers and axe-grinders may have to make some room for the new kid whose craft is comedy.
The Jazzhaus, 926 1/2 Massachusetts St., started the ball rolling by offering a monthly comedy show emceed by 26-year-old comic Matt Buff.
The shows depart from the abundant open-mike nights among downtown clubs each show features a brief routine by Buff and features comics from across the nation.
"I had been doing stand-up around town and there were no comedy shows here in Lawrence," Buff said. "So a year ago, I approached the Jazzhaus about doing a show and they were interested in
the idea. They had wanted to fill Wednesday nights anyway."
Buff's periodic act at Stanford and Sons in Kansas City has enabled him to work with a variety of stars such as Tommy Davidson, Larry the Cable Guy and Pablo Francisco.
These encounters helped him book the Jazzhaus show, which will feature Steve Kramer, former star of WB's Hype, on Nov. 20.
For Buff, a Kansas City, Mo., native, the evolution into professional comedy was fairly recent.
"I started out two years ago this past August," Buff recalled. "I began by doing improv at Comedy City in Kansas City, but I realized that I didn't like sharing the stage with six or seven people."
His time yukking it up with the Comedy City gang did, however, prep him for the dreaded bane of comedians: hecklers.
"That's where the improv really helps," Buff said. "I hadhecklers in the beginning,
but my kind of comedy really brings out participation from the audience anyway."
Locals seem to have given their approval to Buff's show, said Jazzhaus bartender Jamie Swartz.
"Some people have come in from Kansas City because they've seen Matt's show there," Swartz said. "He brings in a good crowd. It really is a lot of fun."
In comparison with an evening at Stanford and Sons in Kansas City, which can put a person back $30,Buff's comedy night at the Jazzhaus is practically a steal. Admission to the show is $3,a cover charge that also includes a performance by the band Quintessence.
Swartz said drink specials were an extra benefit, with $1.50 Bud Light pints.
Buff agreed with Swartz's assessment of the drink prices.
"I call it the '10 buck night," Buff joked. Buff said he dreamed of opening a comedy club in Lawrence by the time he was 35. The primary obstacle of such a lofty idea
The primary obstacle of such a lofty idea
is the price tag attached to nationally known comedians.
"I want to be a full-length comedy club, five days a week," Buff said. "If you can afford guys like Jim Breuer, who cost $10,000 per show, then it could be great. Of course, comedians like Carrot Top and Jim Breuer are going to Kansas City anyway, so Lawrence could be a whole other audience."
Although the comedy club probably won't have a ribbon-cutting until most current students at KU have graduated, Buff said he wanted his monthly show at the Jazzhaus to get Lawrence residents excited about the possibility.
Buff is working on booking more comics for Jazzhaus gig, as well as possibly creating a show at the Granada, 1020 Massachusetts St., for Jimmie "Dynamite" Walker of Good Times fame.
The Nov. 20 Jazzhaus show begins at 8 p.m. and has a $5 cover charge. For more information, call (785) 749-1387.
Live Dave follows familiar recipe; David Gray falls short
Dave Matthews Band, Live at Folsom Field,
Boulder, Colorado, RCA records
The Dave Matthews Band has just released its biannual (or at least it seems like it) live album Live at Folsom Field, Boulder Colorado. Those who have never seen DMB live have been deprived of one of the most entertaining musical acts of our time. What other band can have not only guitars, but also an electric violin and saxophone in its standard arsenal of instruments?
Live at Folsom, has a few of the classics, such as "Crash Into Me," "Ants Marching," or Bob Dylan's "All Along the Watchtower," and a hodgepodge of the last two
albums, Everyday and Breakstuff. This provides an interesting mix with the happy pop of Everyday and the melancholy melody of Busted Stuff. If you are a fan of the Dave Matthews Band, then you will love how the new songs sound live. If you hate DMB, don't waste your time. This is a great two-CD set, but attending a Dave Matthews concert is even better.
Justin La Mort
David Gray, A New Day at Midnight, RCA records Already known for his melancholy, emotionally penetrating tunes, Mel灰 stays true to
form on A New Day at Midnight with a slew of catchy ballads. His voice, as always, almost seems to have an entrancing and soothing effect, especially on songs such as "Long Distance Call" and "December." At times, the album seems like a continuation of his previous album White Ladder. This is apparent in "Real Love." However, something to be lacking this time around for the sensitive British singer. One reason could be the greater reliance on electric instruments on this album. The keyboard, synthesizer and electric guitar make an even stronger presence, most notably on "Knowhere."
The album almost seems to have more of
a despairing tone, even by Gray's standards. This could be contributed to the death of his father. Many of the songs seem to be influenced by his grief, possibly stemming from the event. Either way, Gray has successfully been able to make another record, not straying too far from his roots. Nonetheless, for more reasons than one, this effort is slightly more lacking in lyrical and sound content. Only "Dead in the Water" seems worthy of pop radio play. David Gray fans should stick to the old stuff and hope for a new day.
DOCK BOYS
by Scott Drummond, for The University Daily Kansan
— Mindy Osborne
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7. Foo Fighters One by One
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