Thursday at Canalside: words and photos by Joe Janiak –
What better day to celebrate American music than on the birthday of one of America’s finest musical experimentalists and technicians, Jerry Garcia. Being familiar with Yonder Mountain String Band, I know they play Dead songs and I didn’t have a doubt that we would be hearing some, “good ole’ Grateful Dead” on Thursday night at the harbor. They did not disappoint in that department or any other, as the crowd of 5,000 or so was treated to a hi-speed two hour set of absolute get down music.
After nine hours at the day job and a twenty minute ride to the harbor I arrived to hear Railroad Earth playing a Dead regular, “Peggy-O.”
It was a stringy, mellow version of a great song. A welcoming way to end the work day and wade slowly into another evening of live music by the downtown. There were a couple people saying, “this is putting me to sleep,” so I guess not everyone enjoyed it as much as I, but talking with some friends I was told that they did put on a quality, professional sounding live show. The opening slot for any concert is a tough spot to be in. Most people are still on their way or just making it into the venue, unwinding, getting food, drinks and meeting up with friends. Given that position Railroad Earth still had the attention of a few thousand and warmed us up for the night.
Before I get to the excellent set by Yonder Mountain String Band I would just like to say a thing or two about my concert “reviews.” First, to anyone who has been reading my work, thank you very much. Really,I appreciate it. Next, the point of my writing is not to say how technically great this band is or how terrible this band sounded. I try to capture the mood of the experience, while also giving some insight as to the intent of the band. Music is art, a touring musician is a working artist and just like everyone else there are good days and bad days at work, so I will not dwell so much on those things but would rather, be grateful to be in a position where I can have these experiences on a regular basis. Not everyone has the opportunity to do so and I will always try to convey the joy that comes from these nights that give us all hope and inspiration to continue doing what we love to do, while always working hard to be the best that we can. On that note.
Yonder is a band that, if you let them, will get your feet moving, blood pumping and spirit soaring. They busted out of the gate in true improvisational style, weaving their way from one song to the next and back again. Meanwhile Jeff Austin was playing mandolin like a madman and Ben Kaufmann plucked out the bass lines with a grin from ear to ear. At points they took it dark and other points light.
We were about twenty five minutes in before there was a real stop in the action. Then another upbeat song in “Criminal” before slowing it down a touch with, “Jail Song” and “Loved You Enough.” One thing that you notice when watching these guys is that they all sing, they all play leads, and there is not a weak link in the group. Dave Johnston on banjo and Adam Aijala on guitar can pick with the best of them and as a group they can really set the strings on fire.
More or less it was one ripper after another with jokes and banter scattered throughout the set. Ben Kaufmann is the joker of the bunch, initiating most of the conversation, but as the sun dropped below the horizon and cast its orange and pink glow to the clouds and sky above, it was Jeff Austin who gave a, “Happy Birthday” to Jerry and thanked him for the beautiful sunset.
At that point Tim Carbone from Railroad Earth joined the band on fiddle and they threw down a mean “New Speedway Boogie” in honor of Mr. Garcia.
Tim stayed up there for the rest of the night adding some more twine to the mix. The audience responded with delight and from then on it was an old fashioned ho-down in the crowd. I took a walk to the back to gage the atmosphere further from stage and there must have been twenty to thirty people circling and stomping arm in arm, laughing and truly enjoying the night! Wooo! They bring it every time! Unfortunately there is a time limit, otherwise I think we all would have been glad to stay a few more hours. To finish thinks off, Dave Johnston belted out “Angel” with its darker cowboy feel. The band bowed and bid us goodnight.
All I can say is that I know the fans had a great time and I think the musicians did too. I hope we don’t have to wait so long to see Yonder again!
Upcoming reviews will be Mickey Hart Band 8/13 at Town Ballroom and Lotus with local Aqueous back here at the harbor 8/29 – please keep reading and if you like it share it leave comments and let me know what you think.
Yonder Mountain String Band
Set 1: Cuckoo’s Nest> Peace Of Mind> Shake Me Up> Peace Of Mind, Criminal, Jail Song, Belle Parker, Loved You Enough, 40 Miles From Denver, All The Time, East Nashville Easter, Troubled Mind> 20 Eyes> Troubled Mind, Polly Put The Kettle On, New Speedway Boogie(1)> Traffic Jam(1)> Little Rabbit(1)> Traffic Jam(1) E: Crazy(1), Angel(1)
(1)= Tim Carbone on fiddle
Railroad Earth
Set 1: Give That Boy a Hand, 420, Potter’s Field, Just So You Know, Bread and Water, Daddy-O, Like a Buddha – > Dandelion Wine, 1759, Peggy-O, E: Happy Song