Son Volt Tuning Fork October 13, 2017

 

I must admit that when I saw that Jay Farrar was reviving the Son Volt name a decade or so ago, without any other original members, it kinda seemed like beating a dead horse. But, after witnessing their live set at The Tuning Fork last night, it seems that horse is very much alive and kicking.

The Southern  Fork Americana Fest marches on!

This Friday night, the evening began with a wisp of a solo set by Lubin Rains, who is usually seen as one-half of local alt.country duo The Vietnam War. On his own, Rains seemed to be barely there, immersed in his own songs, strumming tentatively on his guitar. It seemed he was gone before most folks in the venue realized that he was there.

There was a definite buzz in the air when it came to seeing Son Volt. Although Jay Farrar is the only remnant from the band’s glory days of the mid-90s, it didn’t seem to matter…folks were keeping their fingers crossed that they would be treated to at least a song or two from 1995’s Traces.

Despite this being Friday the 13^th, it was their lucky night.

These days Son Volt is a five-piece and accompanying Farrar is drummer Jacob Edwards, bassist Andrew Duplants (looking like he stepped right out of a 70s Southern rock band), Mark Spencer on lap steel, keyboards and guitar, and, most impressively, Chris Frame, on electric guitar.

Farrar himself, was something of a enigmatic presence, tall and quiet, wearing dark glasses throughout the show. He barely spoke to the audience, but he and his band had plenty to say.

The set began with a couple of tunes from latest album, Notes Of Blue and it was clear from the get-go that this was a cracking band, with guitarist Frame cranking out powerful riffs and lead runs behind Farrar’s vocals.

As indicated by the title of the new album, Farrar and company have taken a liking to the blues. But the band also seemed to easily incorporate Sweetheart-era Byrds vibes along with a healthy dose of Neil Young and Crazy Horse into their sound.

It made for an intoxicating brew that seemed to gain strength and momentum as the night went on.

Long-time fans were rewarded with the first of several tracks from Trace when Tear Stained Eye showed up about 30 minutes into the proceedings.

There was plenty more to come, five in all, from that classic and the crowd loved it.

Despite Farrar’s aloof demeanour, one got the feeling that he was enjoying himself as well.

By the time they got to set closer Afterglow 61, the band had built up a good head of steam. They returned to perform perhaps the best song from Trace, Windfall, then stepped back for an Uncle Tupelo tune…Chickamauga…before closing out the night with a guitar-soaked cover of The Velvet Underground’s What Goes On.

Another stunning night at Americana Fest.

Marty Duda

Click on any image to view a photo gallery by Michael Flynn:

Son Volt set list:

1. Lost Souls
2. Static
3. Buzz & Grind
4. Damn Shame
5. Cherokee St
6. The Picture
7. Dynamite
8. Tear Stained Eye
9. Midnight
10. Sinking Down
11. Back Into Your World
12. Cairo And Southern
13. 10 Second News
14. Promise The World
15. Back Against The Wall
16. Bandages & Scars
17. Driving The View
18. Route
19. Drown
20. Afterglow 61
21. Windfall
22. Chickamauga
23. What Goes On