Luke Doucet | 07.10.08 | Michigan
By Team JamBase Jul 22, 2008 • 12:01 pm PDT

Luke Doucet :: 07.10.08 :: The Ark :: Ann Arbor, MI
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Doucet, a Nova Scotia native and former guitarist for Sarah McLachlan took the stage in support of his new solo release, Blood’s Too Rich, with backup band, The White Falcon. From the moment he plugged in, it was clear that his live show was going to be a more guitar driven experience than the record. Doucet opened with “Longhaul Driver,” opting for a surf rock driven solo intro before heading into the song about life on the road. The live version came like a blast from the stage – a signal to the crowd that this was not to be a typical hushed Ark affair.
With a capable rhythm guitarist in wife Melissa McLelland the White Falcons left Doucet free to roam with his guitar. Next, on “Blood’s Too Rich,” we got a taste of the three-part harmony between Doucet, McLelland and White Falcon bass player Rick Levesque. Again, the Gretsch played star as Doucet grimaced each time it released reverb. He is so animated while playing that it was hard to take your eyes off of him. At times it looked like love between he and his White Falcon, at other times it looked like war. Both results played spectacularly in the exquisite and storied Ark.
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The highlight of the abbreviated set came when Doucet told the crowd that growing up his dream was to travel, adding that in that dream he was always in Cleveland. Once the laughter died down, he introduced “Cleveland” with the story of being on tour and alone in Ohio and catching Emmylou Harris and Gillian Welch. The song has so many insider references to Ohio’s history that it’s difficult to believe he never lived there, and it possessed a transfixing quality as he sang of road boredom, loneliness and love. As the song worked towards its solo, McLelland picked up an original ’52 Telecaster that was sitting unused up to that point and the two shared center stage.
“First Day In A New Home Town,” a Jayhawks-esque track from the new release, would end up being the last Doucet song of the evening. A track inspired presumably by Doucet’s relocation to Nashville, it was an impressive mix of alt-country and the surf rock guitar work that Doucet naturally leans toward. Harmony and solo interchanges that Mark Olson and Gary Louris would be proud of gave way to the most vocal appreciation the crowd showed all night.
With the warning that there was only time for one more song, Doucet’s mention of his wife’s solo record led to a chorus of demands for a McLelland to lead a number. The obliging bandleader and loving husband gave the spotlight to the very capable McLelland, who closed the show with the country themed “Glen Rio.” The 300 or so in attendance gave more than the obligatory applause and appeared to register their pleasure at the merchandise table as well.
JamBase | Michigan
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