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Great American Music Hall July 21, 2003 Review by Jake Thomas I got to the show just in time to catch the last few songs by Tim Easton. Think of a combination of non-cheesy white boy blues, M Ward, and Bob Dylan, and that's the neighborhood that Easton's sound is playing in. It is a good sound, and one that I enjoyed; his raspy voice paired with the bluesy guitar playing seemed to also be going over well with the crowd of Jay Farrar fans as well. I wouldn't be surprised if Mr. Easton didn't make a few new fans at this show. Jay Farrar, former co-leader of Uncle Tupelo, Front man for Son Volt, and now all on his own. Well not actually alone, as he had two guys accompanying him, but you get my drift. Both of these gentlemen played the steel guitar (one lap steel, the other pedal steel), sometimes consecutively, as well as helping out on regular guitar, bass, and occasional backing vocals. Anytime I see a pedal steel guitar being played on stage, I have a hard time not watching à all those different pedals and whatnot, I can't even begin to imagine how one goes about mastering such an instrument. And both of these guys were truly masters at what they were doing, and it was damn fun to watch. But this review is about Jay Farrar right? Well, he was great as well, just as you would expect. His unmistakable voice sounded just as good as ever, and he played a wide range of songs, covering most of his back catalog of songs as well as plenty of new ones. I'm yet to get the new album, but from what I heard on this night, it's high on my list of future purchases. The only possible complaint I could levy against the performance is that it could have used a drummer occasionally, but then again, that might have just cluttered things up a little too much. The bottom line: a fine show, perfect to tide me over as I wait patiently on that Uncle Tupelo reunion - but I'm not holding my breath on that one. ©2003 playinginfog.com |