I've recently become obsessed with gathering a complete set of live versions of Alpha songs. I seem to recall hearing this live in Seattle a few years back (though I could be wrong). Any info on whether this was ever performed live.

Also, any thoughts on the song and it's connection with the cycle of poems of the same name?

Never has been according to the show list I've got.

well, i heard what may have been the first (and it's sounding like possibly the only) live performance of this song in a coffee shop in Sacramento on 10-25-02. It was a really small acoustic set just before tallahasse came out. i don't know if anyone recorded, though, so I'm not really of any help.

this song is killing me today. can't work out what the title is about though. is anyone who's read the tennyson poems able to shed any light?

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[kidsteel.bandcamp.com]

I've got a recording of it: Cobblestone, Dublin, Ireland (2002-10-19). That whole show is great.

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do I have to hit you over the head with it?
nigelewan.com · last.fm

I don't see any really strong connection between the Tennyson and the tMG song. The Tennyson cycle (12 poems) is a retelling of the story of King Arthur. The closest connection I can see is how Tennyson really plays up courtly love in his poems, between the usually quite saintly men and the usually quite dastardly women, in that these relationships frequently don't work out as planned (Guinevere cheating on Arthur w/Lancelot etc.). I think the stronger case to be made is that JD just liked the title and is using it ironically--obviously the Alpha husband doesn't have the power that a king does, and obviously these days are not "Idylls."

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nigel
I've got a recording of it: Cobblestone, Dublin, Ireland (2002-10-19). That whole show is great.

If that's not freely available, let me know and I'll re-up.

Damn ZS, nice searching!

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We are the ones who don't slow down at all...

It isn't freely available, from what I've seen - mediafire, archive, and nyctaper are the only sources I know of. I've gotten about 150 shows from there, but I knew you lifers were holding some back

I upped it here!!

Let me dig it out.

You definitely upped it here because I've got it & wouldn't have got it from anywhere else.

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"You know it is, it really is."

The sendspace link is dead. I'll put it somewhere more permanent.

I posted this 5 years ago and had essentially written the whole search off. The Dublin show is indeed awesome, and I have added Idylls of the King to my live alpha connection. Thanks guys! Now if they would only perform New Chevrolet in Flames and One Winter at Point Alpha Privative I would be happy.

Live link, anyone?