This trio of talented musicians gave an amazing performance Wednesday night at the Mellow Mushroom in downtown Greenville. It was clear from the first note that this group has a lot of experience playing together, and in front of a crowd. They weren't just three guys with instruments, they were an entertainment entity. Their live sound is as polished as one would expect from studio recordings.
As if it weren't obvious, the singer (who is also the bassist) told me how important music is to him- he was enjoying himself, and drew the audience in so they could enjoy it just as much. He played left handed, which is always a good indicator of musical aptitude. He played smoothly, while singing just as beautifully. I was impressed with his vocal range, and found his tone very pleasing. His lyrical freestyling added depth and freshness to the cover songs.
The guitarist was equally skilled; he was capable of playing blues, boogie, and reggae stylings. He did a spectacular job of covering Red House (Hendrix), and I didn't hear a single mistake in any of the songs I recognized. Not only was he strumming a gorgeous acoustic (whose sound was perfect for the songs they played), but he adjusted knobs as well! And no, he didn't have a third arm to do that- though he made the adjustments so quickly and smoothly you might think he never took a finger off the guitar.
Tonight was the first time I've ever seen and heard a cajon, despite having a musical background myself. It is an Afro-Peruvian instrument, basically a wooden box that the drummer both sat on and pounded on. This one had guitar strings in it to enhance the sound. As simple as that seems, it provided unique tonal beats that blended with the guitar and bass. The drummer had a great sense of rhythm, and never faltered.
They opened their set with Dock of the Bay, and the only thing missing was the whistling. Next came the blues song Stormy Weather, and then Just My Imagination. They boogied with Sweet Home Chicago, then transitioned into I Can See Clearly Now, followed by Tracks of my Tears. Next was a BB King piece, and Bright Lights, Big City. Before they took a short break, they did a reggae version of Clapton's Wonderful Tonight. They started up again with Mr. Pitiful, a song I'd never heard before. But the next one, Cupid by Sam Cooke, was familiar to me, and I enjoyed this rendition just as much as the original. Red House and D'yer Mak'er were the highlights of the evening, and Groovin' on a Sunday Afternoon was pretty groovy. It was a varied set, but the songs all fit like puzzle pieces.
I am very picky when it comes to music, but these guys impressed me. I wouldn't hesitate to see them live again, even if I had to drive over 20 minutes to get there, and pay once I arrived. It's too bad more people hadn't attended last night; the ones there sure got ear candy while they ate. If the Mellow Mushroom continues to pull in talent like this, I see it rejuvenating the stagnant night life for downtown during the week. It was a thoroughly enjoyable evening, and my only wish was that the restaurant didn't close at ten. Next Friday, I'll be there again with eager ears, a notebook, and pen.
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