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I distinctly remember going to Stratton, Vermont's The Red Fox Inn 'round-about New Year's '98. Upon entering, two things were readily apparent: the Fox was the coolest little bar I'd ever been to; and all the giddy patrons were forced into a syncopated head bob thanks to the baddest power trio I'd ever heard live. A few cuts deep into their set and I realized they were blazing through all originals. And the originals were good. Real good. Downright bad-ass, I remember thinking. And yet, somehow, by breaking the first rule of bar bands--ahem, play familiar covers--they were not only succeeding but they were holding the bar captivated.
It wasn't until set break that I realized just who we were listening to. "Thanks everybody. We're the Seth Yacovone Band ." So when Seth stepped through the legendary "hippie door," and out into the snow-covered courtyard, I walked over, said hello, and asked him what all these songs were. "We don't really do covers," he explained. "We only do originals." I understood perfectly, and was more excited to hear that than to be handed a laminated list of tunes they were capable of covering. As our conversation waned and set two became imminent, he asked, "If we did play covers, what would you want to hear?" I told him I thought his band could tear apart anything by Crazy Horse; and when he admitted that "Cortez the Killer" was one of the only exceptions he tends to make, I knew this kid meant business. Here he was, this 20-year-old, in a bar, keeping hippies and 30-something vacationers alike completely entranced... playing nothing but originals. And yes, he did oblige me with an ear-splitting, low-down-dirty "Cortez" encore.
I left the Fox knowing full well that I had just been privy to a completely unique experience. It was the first time that feeling ever came over me, and one that wouldn't be repeated until I saw Robert Randolph a couple years later: that entitled feeling of witnessing the next big thing before everyone else does. And since that time, Yacovone has become something of a homegrown Vermont legend. For five years now, I've been telling anyone who will listen that the Seth Yacovone Band is the real deal. And that's why I have been cranking In a Moment for the last month. I've had a hard time putting my recollections of that initial shock-and-awe feeling down on paper. But what I can say is that this live album is a very accurate depiction of what it's like to experience Seth Yac and his trio as they have a good ol' time stomping the shit out of the blues into indistinguishable forms.
In a Moment commences with the seemingly straight up, slow-burning "What Will I Do When Winter Comes?". Admittedly, Yacovone's pleading vocals and the initial slow tempo gave me a troublesome first impression. I didn't feel that hook right off the bat. But then... as a couple minutes tick by, Yacovone pulls his guitar into a sad, moaning wail. Drummer Steve Hadeka and bassist Tony Coggio masterfully hold it all down, but the listener can tell they're just about bursting inside, ready to let loose. It's not the most ear-friendly beginning to a live disc, but it does lead to a mightily gratifying payoff.
The woozy, bluesy "Mold Pt. 1" showcases the band's intense tightness, pacing themselves in and out of the sparse framework, culminating in a Yacovone-signature guitar solo--greasy and righteous all at the same time. And then it deftly comes right back down into the mire. Pulling infinite tones out of his axe is a trademark, so the staccato-Latino "In a Moment" allows the listener inside a few of them as wicked solos abound all the way through.
What would a blues-infected band be without a little fun? The up-tempo, groove-based "Cardboard Box" has that sunny Phishy feel that can put a smile on even the most cynical face. And the quick-steppin' "What Have I Done Wrong?" is one of those old head-bobbers presented this time with the added bonus of making the feet move along with it. The fuzzy funk takes over midway through, helping to keep the body grooving along as well. And AC/DC's simplistically raunchy "Whole Lotta Rosie" serves as the set's encore. The choice blues-metal cut sends the audience on their way. One more group of fans that will go into the night, preaching to anyone who will listen that the Seth Yacovone Band is the real deal.
"Rosie" also proves that the Seth Yacovone Band can not only take an obscure cover and make it their own, but also wisely leave their audience's tongues wagging for more. For audience salivation until the next show is just about the smartest thing a band can make happen. Especially when it's a little old bar band playing originals. Watch out for this guy folks, he's doing it the right way. And you too will want to tell your friends about the best little band no one knows about. For now.
Scott Caffrey
JamBase | World Wide
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