Brandy House | Atlanta, GA
A lot can happen in two years. The last time I had seen Ancient Harmony, they were the kind of band that often gets described as "having potential." I loved the band's sweet Southern sound, and it was obvious that they had a passion for much of the same music that I love, from the Dead to the Allman Brothers to classic jazz and blues. However, they were still a little raw and unformed, and if I was excited about what they were trying to do, they hadn't quite got there yet.
Flash forward to January 19th at the Brandy House in Atlanta. Ancient Harmony opens the show with a mind-melting workout on the Dead classic Shakedown Street, and by the time the first song is over they have won the crowd over completely. The rest of the night was a smorgasbord of wonderfully melodic jams that evoked the band's name. I've always
thought of "Ancient Harmony" as a description for the wonderful, nameless music that only emerges in the midst of the most intense improvisation. Since the last time I had seen them, the band had obviously mastered their craft, and their tightness and listening skills during the jams were a treat to behold.
The Neville Brothers' Yellow Moon, which always thrills this New Orleans resident, was given a funky, powerful reading that showed that these guys know a little something about the funk. Another high point was when former Grapes bassist Charley joined his former bandmate Ted, now lead guitarist for Ancient Harmony, for a spirited version of Franklin's Tower.
However, my favorite part of the evening was hearing Ancient Harmony's
original material, which has matured greatly since the last time I saw them.
They played everything from sweet ballads with high and lonesome harmonies to
beautifully contructed instrumentals that was reminiscent of the best of the Allmans. I walked into this show curious and walked out a convert. Ancient Harmony isn't just a potential great band any more; they ARE a great band, and you should check them out!
Rob Johnson
JamBase Southeast Correspondent
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