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Bottom of the Hill August 27, 2000 Review by Squid We liked the High Deserters so much at the Gram Parsons tribute that we knew we had to see them again, and this show that was organized in conjunction with the ME festival was just the ticket. The beauty of BBQ Sundays at Bottom of the Hill is that shows generally start at 4pm, so you can run the full spectrum of sober to drunk and back again, all by 11pm. By the time we got there, Fightmaster were already on. They had some good straightforward country, and their female singer had a really distinctive voice. She reminded Squid of Dolly Parton in that she had a clear, high range and sassy delivery. (Squid would like 20 pts for using the word 'sassy' in a review.) Next up were Gerard and his Lariates. Zydeco is one of those musical styles that you take for granted until you hear it again live. A fiddle being played like it's being sawed in half that is pretty damn disarming, especially when it's interacting with accordian and that skittish snare drum. Throw in some slide guitar, and we were just spilling beer everywhere bobbing our increasingly unsober heads. Gerard himself seemed a big bashful dude who looked genuinely pleased that people turned up, and Squid found him so endearing that she will even forgive his butchering the vocal of "Madame Sosthene". We highly recommend these guys. Squid wants them to be the band at Daz' wedding. Then our pals the High Deserters...what can we say? More great guitar playing from Dave. Eric (SF Guardian poster boy) made a few editorial comments about the lack of drink tickets and strongly suggested that all venues supply alcoholic bevvies to performing bands. The world's slimmest bass player performed his customary song about religion. We promise that we will listen to more Gram Parsons so that the next time we see these fellas we can make astute commentary comparing and contrasting the High Deserters with their musical heroes. We promise. |