World Party, Crescent Ballroom, 12/2/12

Glenn BurnSilver

World Party @ Crescent Ballroom

After completing the keyboard run with an emotionally heavy "God on My Side" and "Call Me Up"--which Wallinger introduced by saying: "I wrote this in a little shack in the Klondike with my little dog team. ... Really, it's the truth"--he launched into the bouncy "Sunshine." This version rested heavily on the long violin notes that perfectly supported the acoustic passage.

Wallinger continued on the mellower path with "Everybody's Falling in Love" before kicking it up again with the chugging train-like intro and distorted "Vanity Fair" backed by a manic Dylan-esque "Who Are You." Wallinger even looked a bit tested during this number, but came out smiling.

By this time the band had loosened up and was fully engaged, turning the show into a full on party, which made the transition into well-received hits "Is It Too Late?," "Ship of Fools" and a full-force "Way Down Now" a rocking one.

The encore began with an acoustic duet with Wallinger and his mandolinist sharing a microphone for "Mystery Girl." The pair's close proximity almost caused the song to falter, but brought a smile to both men and nearly laughter as well about halfway through the rendition. With the band back on stage Wallinger went back to his electric, but struggled to tune it, as he had all night.

"What kind of tuning do you use Karl?" came a cry from the audience.

"Irregular tuning it seems," Wallinger shot back dryly, and proceeded to explain that his regular guitar was damaged on the flight over from England.

"I got it to the studio and opened the case and... well it was fucked," he said while still attempting to tune his new Gibson Les Paul. "It has a 30 day approval. I'm not feeling very approving," he quipped, before putting it down and returning to the acoustic for "Sweet Soul Dream." He did go electric for the final rousing, feedback-washed song of the evening, "Thank You World," which closed things out in fine style.

As fitting as the opening number was, so was this finale, Wallinger's chance at appreciation of those who've come to see him on this night, but also those who helped and supported him through trying times so he could lead a normal life again. And as he walked off stage, the Phoenix crowd offered him plenty of thanks as well.

Critic's Notebook:

Last Night: World Party @ Crescent Ballroom

Personal bias: Longtime fan, fourth time seeing the band. Still think the show in 1996 with the horn section was tops.

The crowd: A generally older, but not old crowd of fans who were 20- and 30-somethings when the band broke 25 years ago.

Random notebook dump: I'm not sure I show trust a mandolin player in black leather pants and cowboy boots.

Overheard: "That was an hour and 45 minute show? It feels like only 20 minutes have passed."

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