I've been accused of writing only positive reviews. It's true that many of my reviews are very positive. But that's because I tend to write only about the acts I enjoy. And lately I've enjoyed a lot of what I've heard come through Little Rock. It's always fun to discover some new band when looking at the lineups at the local venues, to like that band, and then to go to the show to see if they're as good live as you think they'll be. Lately many of them have been. Sometimes, they're not. But when it came time to go see Big Smith last night, there was no question but that a good time was going to be had by all who attended.
I last saw Big Smith in Fayetteville back in 2005. They headlined George's one Saturday night after a Razorback football game, and I haven't forgotten the experience. The irresistible "12" 3-Speed Oscillating Fan" is a personal favorite that sticks out from that night, and my memories are of fast-paced, high-energy, free-wheeling musical mayhem, and last night proved that three years have certainly not taken their toll on Big Smith. They were as fresh, fun and raucous as ever.
I was a little worried when we arrived at Rev Room a little before 10:00, just as Charliehorse were finishing their set, and the place was almost empty. I knew Puddle of Mudd were playing at the amphitheatre, but surely they weren't drawing crowds from a bluegrass band's fanbase? My worry was misplaced. Within a half-hour of Big Smith's kick-off, the floor in front of the stage was full, people lined the rails behind us, the tables were full, and everyone was clapping or tapping their feet to the rhythm. The band use guitar, fiddle, mandolin, keyboard, washboard, and lap steel guitar, not all at the same time, but in different combinations throughout the set, always keeping things interesting.
They must have played for more than three hours, and yet they still left the crowd begging for more. And what a crowd it was. Througout most of the second half of the set the floor resembled something like a bluegrass mosh pit, replete with high-stepping and elbows flying. One guy in the crowd looked like the archetype of a red-head, bearded hillbilly -- the type I used to see on my grandfather's vintage 1970s Mountain Dew bottles (I swear, the motto on the bottle used to read, "Mountain Dew. It'll tickle yore innards!" and it featured a stereotype hillbilly with overalls, long beard and a straw hat). From my description, you'd think it was an older crowd, but it wasn't. Big Smith have broken the Generation Y demographic.
The band never seemed to tire, but after what must have been nearly thirty songs, which included one encore, it was time to call it a night. For those of you who may have missed out and are looking for an excuse for a road trip, Big Smith play George's in Fayetteville again next Friday night.
-G
Well Reckless Kelly came to town against a nice 1950s backdrop provided by Little Rock's annual Cruise-a-palooza. The downtown area was completely packed with classic cars, street bikes and the latest and greatest in modern sports cars. I had totally forgot about the event going on until I got stuck in a line of cars almost a mile long. It wouldn't have been so bad except for the fact that I showed up in a faded silver four door Honda Civic. Needless to say I stuck out like a sore thumb as practicality was nowhere to be seen in the long line of muscle cars stretching from the Clinton Library clear down W. Markham.
I finally made it to the event just in time to watch the opening act leave the stage. I really had no idea how big Reckless Kelly was around here. Out in San Diego I had listened to some of there stuff on multiple occasions but always thought they were more of an independent act that shied away from the mainstream. I should have known better as country style music seems to be the defining genre for the Little Rock area. The venue was completely packed with most people in their late 20s and early 30s. Reckless Kelly played as expected and blew though a dozen and a half of their biggest songs. I listened to several of their live albums earlier in the week and was moderately impressed. Overall, nothing really spectacular on the stage. Lead by brothers Willy and Cody Braun, their sound is a little bit Southern rock and a lot of country. The Nashville sound is only heard in their instrumentation as the vocalist sounds more like a southern rock / alternative singer than anything else. Most of the faithful fans in the audience knew all of the lyrics and proudly sang along.
The high energy style of the songs made for a pretty decent party atmosphere. I went by myself and got asked to dance on a couple of occasions. It wouldn't have been so bad but...
A) I don't dance
B) I sure as heck don't know how to do the two-step
I had to explain to the unsuspecting female that, really.... no really.... I don't know how to dance. She wasn't convinced until she had to start physically shaking me to get me to move. I kind of felt bad for her but we still had fun and had a good laugh about it. It was partly my fault anyways because after the second person asked me to dance I realized I was standing on the dance floor. I was trying to watch the lead guitarist (Dave Abeyta) up close and didn't quite realize where I was positioned.
The highlight of the night came when Dave came out on stage with just the drummer during the encore. His solo performance was amazing as he effortlessly blew though some crazy Stevie Ray Vaughan, almost Jimi Hendrix-like blues solos. I could tell the lead guitarist knew what he was doing though most of their set but he tore it up at the end. Overall, I guess I'm not as big of a Reckless Kelly fan as I once thought I was. All in all they didn't do anything that really impressed. I would give them a C but I did see a TON of people having a blast so I have to remain a little selfess. B-
Band of Annuals was the band to see this week.
-T
RSS Feed