Since my last post, which recapped the last weekend of January and earned the scorn of Richmond, Virginia, there’s been no shortage of live music in this town. Though I’ve been too busy to write about it, here’s the capsule breakdown of what I saw:
Friday, Feb. 2nd – All Mighty Senators/Thred – 123 Pleasant St.
A great show which featured rejuvenated energy from all parties involved. Thred opened things up and were the perfect support band. Thred’s show is beginning to evolve - they added a few new tunes and generally played with a sense of immediacy and a great deal of energy. The All Mighty Senators are heading in the right direction as well, giving us some new tunes for the first time in a long time. They also seemed to be turning over a new leaf and dedicating their band to growth and renewal after a period of time where it seemed like the band may have been on its last legs.
Saturday, Feb. 3rd – 6’6’’240 CD Release Show – 123 Pleasant St.
I wasn’t planning on hitting this one, but at the last minute decided to go out, and I was very glad I did. Maybe the best local show I’ve seen in awhile. I was impressed with how tight the show was, and how the cast of characters was constantly rotating. Throughout Soundvizion’s set, it was hard to tell what was coming up next, as each tune differed from the one prior, musicians coming on and off the stage at a rate of substitution that would make the football team proud. By the time 6’6’’240 hit the stage, the crowd was ready for it, and the top dog delivered. The musical chairs continued, and even gave some local indie rockers a chance to show their street cred and throw down with Motown’s finest MC. All told, it was an introduction to a scene I don’t see very often, and I was impressed both by the quality of the music, as well as with the professionalism and showmanship with which it was delivered.
Friday, Feb. 9th – Larry Keel and the Natural Bridge – 123 Pleasant St.
Larry Keel ranks high on this town’s list of beloved bluegrass players - a position he earned through a number of local displays of his flat-picking virtuosity. This show was no different. With no opener, Keel and Co. played two long sets clocking in at over 2 ½ hours of blazing bluegrass. The group felt little obligation to tradition, and can whip out nearly any song you can think of at the drop of the hat. The highlight of the show was a high paced and exploratory segue between the Sugarhill Gang’s “Rapper’s Delight” and Bill Monroe’s “Kentucky Mandolin”. You just don’t see that everyday. For the encore they invited Morgantown’s own Matt Showalter (of Tanglewood and Black Bear fame) onstage for “Groundhog”, which might just be a sign of new burritos to come.
Saturday, Feb. 10th – Mayday! Prom feat. The Emergency
It’s no secret to anyone who knows me, or reads this blog, that I am devoted to the Emergency. I hold them in high regard as one of my favorite local bands of all time. The last time I saw them, however, I found their show listless and without much drive or panache. Honestly, I left that show a little depressed. Going into Saturday's show, I wasn't sure of what to expect. Prom night (the greatest night of our young lives) proved to be a different case all together. The band delivered and the crowd responded with glee. The setlist was stacked with tracks from Doo-Lang Doo-Lang with just the right amount of How Can You Move? sprinkled throughout, for effect. Highlights for me included “Do the Uptight – United States Now”, mainly because I can’t get enough of the crowd singing the horn parts. I also support bringing back the older tunes and was thrilled to see “Striped Shirt”, “Morning Announcements” and “Girljacketdrunk” get dusted off after an absence from the playlist.
Sunday, Feb. 11th – Mountain Stage – Creative Arts Center, WVU
WV’s finest export returned to Morgantown on Sunday night, with one of the best lineups I’ve ever been privileged to see at a Mountain Stage taping. The Greencards opened with their blend of Australian roots music, banjo legend JD Crowe & the New South followed before giving way to locals Freeman, Bloom & Shank. This trio brought three dulcimers to the stage (lap, bowed, and hammer), and though I am no great fan of the instrument, I was blown away by some of the sounds these three could get out of them. Their reading of “Last Night I Had the Strangest Dream” brought out a vocal show of support from the capacity crowd. Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver were up next, and delivered what was, hands down, the best set of the night. Blending secular and gospel numbers Lawson and company showed that years and years in the spotlight can really pay off. Their two a-cappella numbers reminded anyone who had forgotten just how powerful vocal harmonies can be. Local yokels, The Morgantown Rounders, followed, and were the band that many in the audience (myself included) were there to support. The crowd cheered raucously each time their name was mentioned by emcee Larry Groce. This was a great opportunity for the Rounders to get some international exposure and I watched their set with a proud smile on my face. It was great to see them play to a huge audience in the company of some of music’s greats. I will say, however, that they got jobbed by having to play after Doyle Lawson and crew. Iris DeMent closed out the show, and delivered six songs in her trademark voice. Honestly, she was a little disappointing, but that’s mainly do with the unbridled anticipation I had for seeing her perform live. In my book, she still has my favorite female voice out there, regardless of whether or not she wowed me with it on Sunday night.
