It was a cold windy night in Albany, a parking spot was available right outside the Empire State Plaza, a rarity indeed, a quick dash across the smooth marble promenade reveals the Egg uplit, mirroring the shape of the moon above. Once inside the crowd was happy and energetic, bouncing around, finding friends, or buying a CD or two. Unbeknownst to me a warm up act was playing called “American Babies”, I guess they are a mix of emo and blues but I didn’t get a chance to hear much.
The lights came on and the stage was prepared for the main act. A lot of couples, some college kids, many musicians and some neighborhood locals made up the crowd. This is the most packed I have seen the main theater at the egg. Energy started to build…the lights dim…out they walk. Cruising right into a number that most other guitarists would save until they were warmed up Derek did not disappoint. He played rhythm, lead and slide all without a pick. He used the volume button as his only effect, try that at home kids.
The rest of the band was equally impressive, choosing simple, tried and tested sounds then doing new and amazing things. The keyboard player reminded me of a laid back Herbie Hancock, using old Hammond B3 sounds and fading in and out with the volume intertwining with the guitar. The main drummer used a 4 piece kit and made it dance. The tiny little bass player popped smiles out of nowhere as he’d here a slight change from the drummer and change his beat to match. The percussionist was an old shaman kind of fellow that would stare straight through you as he played.
The group played a beautiful selection of works form their various CD’s. They invited the guitarist from American Babies up to play a few songs with them, including the finale. He was good, quirky, but good. Derek is developing a stage personality, emphasizing strokes, pointing out the leads to the other musicians and even smiling once or twice at the audience.
From Albany they go to Japan, then Hawaii, and then the West Coast I believe. Check out their site and order up some tickets or a CD if you feel like it. For those unfamiliar with the overall sound of the band, think of an early 60’s blues jam mixed with 70’s fusion and top it all off with global influences.
8 comments
Skip to comment form
Author
Why do artists commit suicide?
“does it come in blue”
“I have to measure my sofa first”
“oh, you’re not gay?”
“will you draw my portrait?”
“will you paint my rabbit?”
“it looks like an ingrown hair”
on some Allman Brothers special on tv…he blew me away…I hit record so I could later slow down the credits, find out who he was.
thanks ever so much for sharing your experience in such a loving manner…I feel like I was there, soaking in the energy.
your video embedded!
another I found along the way…
http://www.vanishmybumps.com/s…