Oakland and Sacramento

One week later, and now I can give a short but decent review of a phenomenal weekend. T&S swept through northern California and delivered two amazing performances. Very well could be the two best performances I've seen by them. Not sure whether it's the familiarity of the songs in the extended sets, the band's hot performances or a little of both but these two shows left each respective audience screaming for more. They were wildly different, as every non-album song played differed each night. The boys came out hot both nights and were met with appreciative audiences. In Oakland, Tim mentioned how excited they were that the audience was singing right along with the band nearly every song. Very laid-back pace, no rushing the songs and Scott continues to impress me as a guitarist. What has most impressed me is how these guys deliver such strong harmonies and keep these important songs clutter-free, something most bands lack the ability to do.

The New Parish gig was pushed back late - way late. I arrived at nine and the first act hadn't even started yet. T&S hit the stage at ten to midnight and wrapped up a little after quarter to one in the morning. I wish I knew the title of the Skynyrd cover; it was great to hear a song by such an over-played band that was fresh and unknown and fitting right along with the rest of the setlist. Great call. The set:

Friday, December 3, 2010
The New Parish - Oakland, CA

Hail Hail
Call Back
Brothers, Sons and Daughters
Island - Tim's voice is so strong, this one sailed. Joe's driving bass drove this.
Jump the Ship
Heart Like a Wheel
Middle Island Creek - Incredible. The first song from their 'Basement Tapes'!
Old Piano
101
Welcome to L.A.
Giant
Skynyrd song
She Really Does It For Me
Summertime
See Her
Rise Up
E: Pure Mountain Angel
LGP - with a John Bonham-like drum solo by Smitty.

Great venue. I'd love to know what this building housed before. Lots of red brick, nooks and crannies. Fantastic sound and intimate; dark wood paneling but very little seating. Joined the guys upstairs and had the privilege of looking over the setlist and giving my two cents about what should be played. Middle Island Creek and Summertime were my two choices. Told Scott and Bill how Rise Up has come to be the strongest song of the set. A true powerhouse.

Ah, the next night. Brought Mike and Ana and was afraid I'd talked the guys up too much from previous shows. Mike had joined me in Modesto and wasn't knocked out though open to another shot. Ana was with me at the beginning with our FUBAR attempt last January at the Boom Boom Room which led to this year's wild ride with these guys. She was with me at the Fox and joked that I was off 'playing groupie' when I met them for the first time in April.


Saturday, December 4, 2010
Harlow's - Sacramento, CA

Hail Hail
101
Brothers, Sons and Daughters
Them Jeans
Shady River - now we're talking. What's this?
Jump the Ship
Atoms - forgot about this one!
Old Piano
Call Back
Welcome to L.A. - Walker, keep playing the accordian. It adds so much.
Charm City - Excellent. The second album's practically ready!
Heart Like a Wheel
Envy
Our Love
Alligator - The crowd pleaser of the night with band and audience interaction.
She Really Does It For Me
The Shape I'm In - Ah, The Band.
See Her
Rise Up
E: Pure Mountain Angel - I'll make it back home alive. Thanks, Walker.
Cowboy Song

Worries all for naught. Mike and Ana talked about the show for the next two hours and loved every minute of it. This show was amazing. An hour and forty minutes. I'm surprised Harlow's was still standing at the end of this one. What I loved was the look from Tim when we both knew the magic that was happening behind him. Even with the non-album songs, the audience went wild with the interplay, the soloing, THOSE harmonies. Scott even stumbled over his guitar cable when singing; his mic stand collapsed and he sailed right over to Tim's mic. While it was comical, it was also authentic; just how many times has Bruce stumbled over his stuff in his missionary-like zeal to deliver his rock and roll sermon? Scott was sheepish afterwards but it was a genuine 'pint of blood on the stage' moment. Afterwards was great, with lots of stories and introductions and laughs. A nice finale to 2010. Eleven shows in twelve calendar months. Will I have another year like this one? Not with any other rock and roll band. Thank God it was the Truth & Salvage Co.