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April 22, 2007
Volker & Johnny at Last Day Saloon By: Mo (4/07)
It had been awhile since the last time I'd went out for some live music.
At least a whole month!
Geeze...I remember the days of going four nights straight. And working too. Those days are long gone it seems but it was a good run. Lots of memorable, and not so memorable shows.
So, off I go to see Volker Strifler and Band.
Johnny V opened and I was indeed excited about hearing him with his own band but more curious about who'd he have in his band.
Walked in and I don't think I'd ever seen these guys before.
Real good keyboard player but he mostly had my attention when he played that blues piano. Gotta love that stuff. The organ part's OK but my favorite key is the piano.
I was just thinking of Barrel House Chuck and how he could really play that stuff. That old time blues piano stuff I'm thinking of.
Anyway, this guy Johnny had with him was really good. He sings too.
A drummer that was about as hard-driven has I heard in awhile was there. Some guy from NY.
Tight band with some tight arrangements. I thought I heard some southern blues/rock in there somewhere.
Next up would be Volker.
This set was the highlite of the night.
It seems it's been awhile since seeing them last.
They sure are getting tighter these days.
I love that Great Rain song Don sang. I was very surprised to hear that.
That is absolutely one of my favorite John Prine songs.
I'm hoping that one stays on the song list.
It's hard to tell because it was done during the "Jam" in the last set.
They seemed to be going back and forth sharing their own stuff with a stage full of musicians. The Strifler band seemed to know that song and it seemed somewhat rehearsed so I'm keeping my fingers crossed..... Great Job, Gang!
The horn section was there, and soundin' great, but tucked away in the corner. Seemed so far away.
Here's to you, Gary!
What a drummer.
The whole band was sounding really good on this night. There's chemistry on stage. Volker finally cut loose on that guitar on a couple and wowsers!
The third set was pretty darn good. It was a jam and got to be too busy on stage although all were great.
As with all jams, if you wait it out, a magical moment will emerge.
I almost left a few times during the last set but then one of those "moments" would happen and kept me hangin' in there a bit longer.
I'm sorry, I don't have the patience for jams. It just drags on too long sometimes, you know what I mean? Especially when you try to give every musician a solo in every song. And when you have a stage full it can be a long while.
Don't get me wrong, every musician up there is worth hearing but maybe feature one or maybe two a song. All up there are capable of this.
Really stretch it out, take your time and don't feel rushed, just time to really express ones self, I would think. Or forget all that crap and just play that damn guitar the whole song ;-)
Seems I ddin't get to hear much of it from V on this night. I love that stuff and it never seems to be enough for me so.....
But what a great night all and all.
That last encore song was one hell of a way to end the night!
Volker....you are amazing.
Hope to catch up to you soon just to get a whole night of ya.
Still waitin' to hear about that first tour ;-)
Later,
Mo
Posted by Mo at April 22, 2007 01:17 PM