Macon Greyson @ the White Water, with Morgan Smith
The week starts off with a bang at the White Water Tavern. I arrive at 10:15 to find the opening band just beginning their set – and already a good percentage of the crowd of some 150 people are on their feet and dancing. This is particularly interesting considering the fact that the group had been birthed just 48 hours earlier. Stage center is band leader Morgan Smith, a recent arrival (and now LR local) from Chicago, though one of WW’s dancing sirens tells me Smith has performed quite a bit in Fayetteville (many of those in the audience definitely know his music). And while I eschew comparisons, eschew this -- his sound is a little reminiscent of local favorite Chris Denny, who will be the opener at the White Water on Day 3 of TITWTI. Smith’s repertoire is strong, he is ably backed by some of the former members of the band Silverton, and the group’s sound belies their short time together. The crowd is invited to submit possible names for the band, and while a possibility comes to my mind, I quickly decide against shouting out “The Morgan Smith Investment Firm”, thinking it carries too much of a corporate and 60’s stigma, like Big Brother and the Holding Company, or Quicksilver Messenger Service. But if the reaction of the crowd to tonight’s performance is any indication, the lack of a name will not inhibit the band’s success – in fact, they’ll earn it. Sorry, just couldn’t resist.
The headlining band, Macon Greyson, follows suit shortly thereafter. No, Macon Greyson is not a person; the quartet was dubbed that by none other than Sir Ray Wylie Hubbard, who also produced their first album way back in 2000. The group lists Uncle Tupelo and Neil Young among other influences, and at first that comes through loud and clear – the title track off their recent release, 20th Century Accident, has a strong Jay Farrar flavor, as does the opening number, John Q Blues, which also sounds as though it could have been written by Young. But Greyson, I mean lead singer Buddy Huffman, et al, really get the place cooking with solid licks born more of progressive Southern rock. Hailing from Dallas, the group at times shows its Texas roots as well in both its music and politically-charged lyrics. Lead guitarist Harley Husbands (I am not making that name up) just might be kin to Billy Gibbons, and Huffman’s song writing reminds me of the no-nonsense approach of say, Jerry Jeff Walker, or Hubbard himself. Eschew some more.
After a little more than an hour the band takes a needed break; it is a warm night, and they have worked hard for their money. Even though the music of MG is more intense than MS, the crowd has seemed to mellow since the earlier dancing frenzy, and is now a little less into it than I would like to see. Were it not for Jet, always diligent in guarding the back door, and the overzealous inebriant who has been two-stepping with his chair all evening, there would be no dancing going on at all.
Though the performances have been very enjoyable, it’s getting late, and there’s a long week ahead. I decide to skip MG’s second set and head to the house. Day 1 is in the books.
- C
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You can find out about more music happening this week in the “Concerts” section of the LRLM web site.
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Check out the Day 1 bands at:
Macon Greyson - www.myspace.com/macongreyson
Morgan Smith – www.myspace.com/piecefulmind
For those in NW Arkansas, you can also catch Smith Thursday, August 7th at the Boom Boom Room in Fayetteville.
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