In our experience, some of the best live performances come when those onstage are out of their comfort zones, or exposed to conditions outside of the norm. Consider Johnny Cash's "Live at San Quentin" or Nirvana's "MTV Unplugged" acoustic set. Alex Chilton, best known for his time in Memphis power pop band Big Star, also performed an excellent acoustic album, but unlike Nirvana, his was unscheduled. That show is now available on the recording "Electricity by Candlelight."
Chilton was playing two shows at the Knitting Factory in Brooklyn as part of his solo act, when the lights went out during his second performance. The venue had lost power, which pretty much killed his band's set up. Not wanting to disappoint, Chilton borrowed an acoustic guitar and drummer Richard Dworkin scaled down his drum set to fit the vibe. Bassist Ron Easely, unable to find an upright bass we suppose, took photos. Jeffrey Vargon, an employee at the Knitting Factory, recognized that this was something worth remembering, and recorded the set with a microphone hooked up to a tape deck.
Chilton played a number of his hits, including "You Can Bet Your Heart on Me," but the true gems on this record are rarities not played during his regular sets. Chilton tried his hand at a number of crowd-pleasing covers, including Hank Williams' "Lovesick Blues," The Beach Boys' "Wouldn't It Be Nice," and Johnny Cash's "I Walk The Line."
You can check out the Cash and Beach Boy covers on the Soundcloud sampler below (tracks one and four), and check out the full setlist.
1. Last Bouquet
2. Step Right This Way
3. Let's Get Lost
4. D-I-V-O-R-C-E
5. Raining In My Heart
6. Lovesick Blues
7. Girl From Ipanema
8. My Baby Just Cares For Me
9. Motel Blues
10. Someone To Watch Over Me
11. Footprints In The Snow
12. A Case Of You
13. Wouldn't It Be Nice
14. Surfer Girl
15. Solar System
16. I Walk The Line
17. If I Had A Hammer
18. You Can Bet Your Heart On Me
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