Son Volt/The Fruit Bats
The Cabaret at Theater Square, Pittsburgh, PA
It was about a year ago that Son Volt had announced the recording of a new album after a six year hiatus. And not only were they heading back into a studio, but they were inviting their fans in with them by providing a webcam link. Anyone would be able to be a fly on the wall of the sessions--at least visually.
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But on the first announced day of recording, the webcam wasn't functional. Website visitors were instead given a "due to circumstances beyond our control" type of message. I assumed a technical glitch, but it turned out to be a Human Resourses problem. In subsequent interviews, bandleader Jay Farrar repeatedly stated as mantra, "It was a hugely devastating situation for me," and press reports said things like "Farrar and the other musicians hit a contractual wall."
Years ago I had interviewed both of the Boquist brothers of Son Volt's original lineup, bassist Jim and multi-instrumentalist Dave, and I was sorry to see them no longer part of the group. After hearing SV's new album Okemah & The Melody of Riot and seeing a set from the band at a music converence in Philadelphia last May, I realized that the new band was quite good. However, the textural depth that the classic lineup had was traded in for a more straightahead rock sound--which is neither good nor bad, but certainly different.
This show was a benefit for the WYEP Community Broadcast Center, our new building, and the band played well to a sold-out crowd. Highlights included "Tear Stained Eye," an amazing "Medication," "Drown" (natch), "Afterglow 61," and a show-closing rendition of Uncle Tupelo's "Chickamauga."
Seattle's Fruit Bats opened the show.
It was about a year ago that Son Volt had announced the recording of a new album after a six year hiatus. And not only were they heading back into a studio, but they were inviting their fans in with them by providing a webcam link. Anyone would be able to be a fly on the wall of the sessions--at least visually.
post continues....
But on the first announced day of recording, the webcam wasn't functional. Website visitors were instead given a "due to circumstances beyond our control" type of message. I assumed a technical glitch, but it turned out to be a Human Resourses problem. In subsequent interviews, bandleader Jay Farrar repeatedly stated as mantra, "It was a hugely devastating situation for me," and press reports said things like "Farrar and the other musicians hit a contractual wall."
Years ago I had interviewed both of the Boquist brothers of Son Volt's original lineup, bassist Jim and multi-instrumentalist Dave, and I was sorry to see them no longer part of the group. After hearing SV's new album Okemah & The Melody of Riot and seeing a set from the band at a music converence in Philadelphia last May, I realized that the new band was quite good. However, the textural depth that the classic lineup had was traded in for a more straightahead rock sound--which is neither good nor bad, but certainly different.
This show was a benefit for the WYEP Community Broadcast Center, our new building, and the band played well to a sold-out crowd. Highlights included "Tear Stained Eye," an amazing "Medication," "Drown" (natch), "Afterglow 61," and a show-closing rendition of Uncle Tupelo's "Chickamauga."
Seattle's Fruit Bats opened the show.
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