By Wil
Comstock
MCAU
Contributing Writer
Downtown
Presbyterian
6
p.m. Thursday, Sept. 14
Parking
at the Anchor on Third Avenue South, I headed on foot to Downtown Presbyterian
to catch Joe Henry and the first 20
minutes of Shelby Lynne and Alison Moorer. Downtown Presbyterian was built in 1848 and
is one of the finest examples of Egyptian Revival architecture in the United
States. Walking into the building is
like walking into an Egyptian Temple.
Joe
Henry is a wry storyteller. His narratives are intimate and genuine. He is a
maverick who seems to operate in his own plane.
He is about to release his 14th studio album "Stream" in
October. Joe performed several new songs
from the album including “Climb” and “Believer.” The most poignant moment came when Henry
introduced his only piano song “This Was My Country.” He said it was July 4, 2005, and America was
involved in a war he didn’t believe in.
He had no reason to celebrate the holiday. He had to fly out of LA that afternoon, and as
he does on most flights, he started to work on a song. But all that came out was rage. He stayed with it and eventually saw a ray of
hope. It was then that the music started to come. “This was God’s country, this
frightful and this angry land... But if it’s his will, the worst of it might still
somehow make me a better man.”
Like
many, I had never seen sisters Shelby Lynne and Allison Moorer perform
together. They recently released their
first duet album "Not Dark Yet" comprised of favorite cover songs. They drew on these cuts for their performance.
I only stayed for the first 20 minutes
but was fortunate to catch the sister’s incredible harmonies on the Louvin
Brother’s “Every Time You Leave” and the Bob Dylan penned “Not Dark Yet.”
The
Anchor
7:30
p.m.
I
was one of the 4 million people who were introduced to Dustbowl Revival on Facebook when their “Never Had to Go” video
featuring Dick Van Dyke went viral. I
caught them two years ago at City Winery and was happy to see that they were
playing AmericanaFest this year. This
eight-piece Americana swing band from Venice, California, rocks! Starting in 2007 when guitarist Zach Lupetin placed an ad on Craigslist
hoping to form a group inspired by brass and string bands, the band has moved
from an acoustic sound to funky soul and roots-infused rock. I for one am
loving it! “If You Could See Me Now” is
a prime example of the new sound, a real crowd pleaser. The band returned to their roots for their
last two numbers coming down from the stage and playing without amplification in
the middle of the audience.
At
this point I wanted to head across town, but MCAU Editor Chuck Whiting wanted
to stay at the Anchor… I’m glad we did!
The
Anchor
8:30
p.m.
The Steel Wheels hail from
Harrisonburg, Virginia. All of the members were born into Mennonite families
and grew up on bluegrass and mountain music.
They formed as a string band in 2004, later weaving Americana into their music. Trent
Wagler is on lead vocals, guitar and banjo;
Jay Lapp plays mandolin and
National Steel guitar, Eric Brubaker
is on fiddle; and Brian Dickel is on
bass. They all sing delightful background
harmonies, are fine musicians, and pen their own songs. This band is tight.
What a great find and surprise!
The
Anchor
9:30
p.m.
Next
up after working through some technical difficulties was the Boston group Darlingside. I had read about their great harmonies. They
exceeded all expectation. NPR describes
them as “Exquisitely arranged, literary minded, baroque folk-pop." I
couldn’t agree more. The band is
comprised of Dave Senft on bass; Don Mitchell playing guitar and banjo; Auyon Mukharji on classical violin and
mandolin; and Harris Paseltiner on
guitar and cello. They gathered around a
single microphone, blending their richly textured voices into glorious
harmonies that breathed life into their lyrics.
My favorite number was “The God
of Loss,” just incredible. Go see this
band when they play in your area.
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