Willy Mason Webster Hall 4 / 07 / 2007
Willy Mason walked on the stage alone, bent over his guitar, as his signature picking moves and deeply soulful voice started to register. The song "Into Tomorrow" continued as band members Sam Mason on drums, Mike Macky on bass, and Nina Violet on viola and vocals emerged on queue.
Webster hall has a strong sound system but lacks the intimacy of the other venues I’ve seen Willy play. The best show was at the Housing Works Used Book Cafe in Soho, which seats two hundred people. What made that show so special was the three acts shared a common thread, not a common label. It was a curated show.
It is difficult being a support act, especially with the time constraints imposed. It was evident to me that Willy wanted to present as much of the new recording "If The Ocean Gets Rough" as he could. He, unfortunately, sacrificed his typical engaging personal connection with the audience. The music made up for his serious demeanor. Nina Violet stepped in with her lively, upbeat support. Sam Mason bore down, immersed in his drum set.
I watched the attentive and captivated young crowd gazing up at the stage. After the first song, I realized that most were unfamiliar with his music. That was clearly evident when they didn’t recognize "Our Town," a crowd-pleaser that his ravenous British and Irish audiences enjoy. Many were there to see Sondre Lerche, whose music is of another sensibility and genre.
Willy and Nina’s voices worked magic together, and the band presented the recording's diverse texture without all the effects the CD affords. The viola was used effectively in Simple Town, creating a sonic backdrop for the sad and impressive words. "Our Town" rocked as Willy sang my favorite line describing the food offerings during a short prison stay / I got some white bread/ some cheese spread / and some mayonnaise /
After the set, I spoke with two lovely young women who were there to see Sondre Lerche. They were impressed and moved by Willy Mason’s music. I left them as they clutched their freshly bought CDs close to their hearts. It’s nice to see that instant connection. Great music can have that kind of effect.
A must-see / Archived: A live set at KCRW with a short interview, it is very impressive.
Setlist: Into Tomorrow (Oxygen single), We Can Be Strong, When the River Moves On, Save Myself, Simple Town, Our Town (Where the Humans Eat), If The Ocean Gets Rough When The Leave Have Fallen. The other songs off the New CD "If the Ocean Gets Rough."
Album Web Link
Honne Wells with special guest Gregory Jamie from O’Death at Tonic.
Dolled up in suit and silk bowtie it is hard to look away, when Honne Wells steps on the stage. Then he speaks and takes the audience off guard, as they lean in to hear him speak. With an unusually deep range he intertwines tall tales that lead to song.
Joining Honne Wells on stage was Gregory Jamie lead singer and guitarist of the band O’Death. Honne Wells voice is a deep guttural baritone in contrast Gregory Jamie has a high intense nasal voice. While the disparity is startling and distinctive, their shared sensibilities about music is what makes the pairing so extraordinary.
They both embrace the roots of Americana and use that platform, as a vehicle to transform music. What evolves is inspiration, and collaboration meant to be fostered.
Donning two guitars, a banjo, some slides, tambourine and a metal sheet. The gentleman played, sang and two stepped in succession.” Holler At Da Holy” was very effective, because it capitalized on just the voices and the step. In-between Honne played a nice instrumental “Dram From A Dog”. The last song was a bonus “George P. Lennin Blvd.” about dirty water. Honne’s foot tapping, progressed into leg slammin, and the atmosphere became edgy and immediate as the pace thickened.
Witnessing this pairing was a highlight in my quest to find great music.
Set List
Oh-Literate Man Blues
The Seed That Ne're Got Sewn
Been Licken
Dram From a Dog Holler At Da Holy
George P. Lennin Blvd.
Web Album Link show pictures by Artifact
Cake Shop March 26th, 2007
Illinois /Trainwreck Riders / Peasant, AKA Damien Derose
The Cake Shop is a venue on the lower east side. Entering at street level and then negotiating a steep stairway to a dark basement, it is hard to imagine the caliber of the music that unfolded during the evening.
I was thrilled to see Trainwreck Riders from San Francisco. The music can be described as hardcore cowboy punk with alt-country twang. Immediately I knew I was hearing an accomplished group of musicians. The crowd shook to the driving force of the engine that could. The music slowed down to capture the rooted vocals of Pete Fraudenfelder. It came back furiously kicking up dirt, descending on the audience, and leaving us coming up for air. The distant guitar passages by Andrew Kerwin sounded like echoes from a deserted town. The musicianship is apparent but does not sacrifice the essence of their raw live sound.
Illinois from Bucks County, Pennsylvania, makes a ruckus with their banjo-laden songs, great vocal harmonies, and exceptional drumming. Using other traditional rock instruments and the telephone distortion invention, they create a rock force in the higher order. Chris Archibald is quite the frontman, he has 
charisma. His verbal antics are natural, unrehearsed, and entertaining.
Standing up close and watching Illinois professionally handle the logistics of the small stage was eye-opening. They seamlessly dealt with the mic not working and becoming detached, tangled in the wiring and the low ceiling. Because of all these issues, the fantastic harmonies that usually accompany Chris Archibold's vocals were lost. The first few songs of the set were the strongest and the most receptive to the small setting. Their sound calls for a larger and better sound system. With all that aside, Illinois put on a great show to an appreciative audience in a packed room.
Closing the rollicking show, with guitar in hand, was Peasant. He describes his band on myspace as "just one lowly Peasant." This des
cription rang true last night as he stepped onto the stage alone. We were treated to a six-song set of new materials. Adding a nice touch was the song he played with the harmonica. His echoing tenor voice captivated me and the others that gathered closely around him for his quiet, moving set. His voice has unique charms that capture the beauty and sincerity of his songwriting. The songs are thoughtful and sometimes sad about love lost and found. His set left me warm and smiling.
Web Album Link show pictures by Artifact
Willy Mason Webster Hall 4 / 07 / 2007
