Barn Dance Review - March 1998

From: tejas (tbsamsel@richmond.infi.net)
Subject: March 6th CCBD Anno

It's been a year of almost monthly Barn Dances and this fandangle was well-attended. The Alley Katz staff, other than the soundfolks, seem less than enthused and more than a bit lax in their preparation for these events. I reckon they would "prefer" artistes bedecked with a well preened veneer of suburban alienation, angst and apathy, without the onus of the spectral appearance of those who have come to dwell in Hillbilly Heaven or the ghosts of Townes and Ronnie Van Zandt, Danny Gatton and Roy Buchanan. For shame!

There was a new set of ringers with the Capital City Boys this go-round on the side stage. Several of the CRACKER entourage put in yeoman service with Bob Rupe on lap steel and Johnny Hickman on guitar, while Jeff Liverman of DIRTBALL sat in on mandolin. Seems that the usual SLACK FAMILY ringers had a gig at the old Cock and Bull on the Northside that evening.

PAGE WILSON & RECKLESS ABANDON amply filled their niche as one of Richmond's living traditions. Shoot, they'd even dressed up for the occasion and didn't appear to be fresh from the vast swamps of the Chickahominy. I’ve picked with several of his band, Chris Fuller (an amazing mandolin picker) and “Screamin’” Jay Gillespie (guitar) before at more impromptu functions and have always been impressed with his Billy Lux, on doghouse bass, who strokes his instrument in a most masterful manner. I’d seen the band before at a couple of weddings and they are quite the crowd pleasers and have the ability in this day and age to get the audience to actually sing along. I saw ladies with grandchirren singing about being nekkid and about air-borne contrabandistas. (The very thought!). The next day, by the way, I saw a number of Page’s long time fans at The Great Big Greenhouse, scrambling in the spring rush to get the growies out of the nursery and into the ground. That’s a good slice of the demographic pie.

Athens, Georgia’s DRIVE-BY TRUCKERS' adrenaline-laced performance was their second appearance at a Barn Dance. I was looking forward to hearing them again and the fellers did not disappoint in the least, especially with songs such as Demonic Possession and an eponymous tibute to the late actor, Steve McQueen. Their CD GANGSTABILLY was recently released and provides a sampler of their fine musicianship and Patterson Hood’s strong songwriting abilities. There was a bit of confusion, since the bass player’s car broke down and it was uncertain as to when he would arrive from his home in Atlanta.

Barn Dance regulars Used Carlotta were last on the bill and gave a sterling performance as usual, closing out a long night of fine music. They’ve been resting a bit on the circuit and have some new tunes under their collective belt; BIG FAT MOON is great, with a lugubriously stellar sax intro by Zip Ervin and the N’Awlins chune JUNKO PARTNER. They’re playing weekly again, get out and see these boys cook.

TBSamsel@richmond.infi.net (also tejas@infi.net)
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