NON-COMM Day 2: Those Darlins, The Counting Crows, Felice Brothers, etc.
Please note: This article is published as an archive copy from Philadelphia City Paper. My City Paper is not affiliated with Philadelphia City Paper. Philadelphia City Paper was an alternative weekly newspaper in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The last edition was published on October 8, 2015.
Adam Duritz was bleeped quite a bit on the airwaves...
NON-COMM, WXPN's non-commercial radio conference, continued at World Café Live on Thursday. This night seemed to be based around two musical trains of thought. Upstairs featured the “Rock’s Not Dead! Night” as hosted by Ian McLagan of Faces fame, while downstairs was supposedly a greater spectrum of musical flavors. And wouldn’t you know it, the upstairs lineup ruled the evening, at least in my opinion. My favorite acts, in the order that they played, included…
Those Darlins Led by firebrand Jessi Zazu, this Nashville rock quartet kicked off Thursday with characteristic flair. In your face, literally at times, the Darlins were a brilliant way to start Thursday. Following them upstairs were …
Lee Bains III & The Glory Fires Southern rock blazed out of the mouth of Bains and his tightknit crew in support of their forthcoming sophomore album Dereconstructed. Long-haired, sweaty and playing in the crowd, The Glory Fires burned bright. Cooler, but equally passionate was…
Benjamin Booker From New Orleans with a swirl of blues and swagger, Booker pulsed with energy. With his first record far out on the horizon (Violent Shiver comes out in August), this was quite a savory taste of someone bound for glory. Following him to conclude the evening downstairs was …
Shovels & Rope It may have been midnight by the time husband-and-wife duo Michael Trent and Cary Ann Hearst went on, but they would have been welcome to play all night. Switching between guitar and drumming duties, they delivered tight harmonies and vivacity that flavored their roots sound just right. What a way to end Thursday.
And let’s not forget the night’s:
- Accordions. It sure was fun to watch The Felice Brothers’ folk and the Counting Crows’ classic “Omaha” punctuated with this underutilized instrument.
- History. Without a rich past acknowledged, music would lose its authenticity. Ian McLagan was a worthy representative of the links between the past and present, and his keyboard work with his band and his presence alone was worth the price of admission.
- Vulgarity. You know you will be live on public radio playing your first new songs in six years, so why not curse up a storm? Adam Duritz was bleeped quite a bit on the airwaves, but at least we got some truly good new Counting Crows’ tunes as well.
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