Tuesday, July 1, 2008

we saw: Delta Spirit

"Wrapped Around My Neck Bone"

(photo by big sam thompson)

The photo above says a thousand things about Delta Spirit, but the one that immediately pops into my head is "timeless." If there weren't 6 million pixels, you could imagine it being an intimate tour portrait from one of the legendary Crazy Horse tours of the 70's, or a famed CSNY show in Laurel Canyon, or a basement recording session in Saugerties. Maybe its the chops (in fine form) or the plaid, but something about seeing Delta Spirit the other night for the third time in months has left me feeling that one day Ode to Sunshine will be framed on the wall of my hypothetical offspring.

Their show at Union Hall was another barn burner, providing a showcase for the bands ever evolving, yet still raw, Americana. Staples like "People Turn Around" and "House Built for Two" sounded at home with the jazz standard "St. James Infirmary", one of my favorite Louis Armstrong cuts. With their timeless American sound, it should come as no coincidence that Delta Spirit signed to Rounder Records (who released the essential Alan Lomax collection), who will be re-releasing Ode to Sunshine on August 26(CD/LP). Peep this video from Sasquatch for a little insight into the bands influences, tastes and why Rounder felt like home.

Setlist: People C'mon/ Strange Vine/ Streetwalker/ House Built for Two/ St. Francis/ Vivian/ Children/ Bleeding Bells/ Trashcan/ St. James Infirmary/ Tom G(?)/ People Turn Around


Matt and Jonathan of Delta Spirit at Sasquatch

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