http://nodepression.com/live-review/spite-devil-spuyten-duyvil-heavenly
How thrilled was I to see that two of my favorite bands would share the stage on the same evening at Club Passim! Spuyten Duyvil, a folk-infused blues band (or is it a blues-infused folk band?), headlined this show with Laney Jones and the Spirits,
an indie folk (to use their description) band, opening the show. I know
the music of both bands well, and they truly shined this evening.
Spuyten
Duyvil (spite-un die-vul) takes its name from a body of water in New
York City that is beautiful but treacherous. Their music is anything but
devilish! Based just north of that area, they are currently touring
with a new album, The Social Music Hour Vol. 1. , their fourth
release. This new album consists of traditional folk songs done their
way. It is a beauty! Since it is volume one, I hope that means there
will be many more volumes in the future
Mark Miller and Beth
Jamie Kaufman founded the band five or so years ago. Mark plays guitar,
resonator banjo and bouzouki, as well as providing vocals. Beth is the
lead singer and plays hand percussion at times. They are joined by Ric
Mercaldi on guitar and lap steel, James Meigs on harmonica, Jagoda on
drums, and John Neidhart on bass, with all but Jagoda (rhymes with
pagoda) providing harmonies on backing vocals.
The entire band
has tremendous energy, but Beth - being front and center on pretty much
every song - puts everything she has into each tune. I love both the
traditional songs they perform - 'I'll Fly Away', 'Barbara Allen', and
'Hot Time in the Old Town', to name a few - and their original songs
from previous albums. 'Peace With the Damage', 'Honey on my Grave', and
'Bitter' are some of their originals. Beth's energy is fabulous and
infectious. I dare anyone who loves traditional music to not be uplifted
by the end of their set
They ended this show with a traditional
song that has become a signature for them - 'Shady Grove'. All of the
traditional numbers they sing exhibit their own spin on those tunes, but
none better than 'Shady Grove'. I can't help but want to dance right
along with Beth.
Laney Jones and the Spirits is a young band that
is making tremendous headway into the indie folk/Americana circles in
which they travel. Laney on banjo and ukelele as well as lead vocals,
Matthew Tonner on guitar, Curtis Seligson on bass, and Alex Shames on
drums comprise the band. The three men provide backing vocals
Laney
has a gorgeous voice and the songs highlight it well. Laney does most
of the songwriting with some help from Matthew. She is a witty
songwriter, and the tunes are eminently listenable. Their new music will
be on an album that should be released this autumn, but don't wait for
that to pick up their two albums (note that the current band is not the
band on the albums, but they are enjoyable regardless).
Click here for photos of this show on Suze Reviews the Blues.
