Dave's Music #78 A Night at the Commons
I haven't done a concert review for awhile, and Carol Roth at the Adventures in Americana has a new giveaway challenge for being tagged seeing new artists, well how about our first time at a venue? Ha... Carol we don't expect a pass; but we ventured out for the hour long drive for us to see The Sapsuckers and Humbird at The Commons in Viroqua; and the night was special. The sound in this old church was incredible and both groups were 100% on their game.
First the venue; their website has a picture from winter; truly it still looks drab like that without the snow. I did comment walking in that I hoped the inside is more charming. And it might not have been charming, but cool, unique, and maintained for an old church building came to mind.
The octagonal stage room was cool and the floor my wife couldn't stop talking about later.
Nope... no beer license but they did bring out water and cookies at break; hey almost like my house concert series but I do allow you to bring your own adult beverage.
The music started with Nikki and Joe setting their set as being laid back and acoustic starting with Wishes:
Of course Nikki was stunning in her vintage styling, embroidered sweater, and flowers in her hair.
I was thinking back at all the venues I've seen them, The Root Note, Riverside Park, Trempealeau Hotel, the Great River Folk Fest, Bluff View Court, Dash Park and recently the Event on Main; but this room and night the sound and their performances were at their finest. Nikki filled the octagonal ceiling with her Grand Old Operatic style of vocals, including the classic yodel in their original closer Ocooch Mountain Home. Again my wife said in the car, she just gets better and better; which I agree but the room was truly an assist tonight.
Humbird, who since I've hosted three times at our house would also not count as a first. They were a trio for the concert (I was hoping for the first time to see the quartet version), and all three were on their game with over 50 concerts this year with their west coast trip in the books. Pat Keen on bass is the hardest working bass player adding a synth, acoustic & electric basses, with his unique playing around with sounds on his magic floor board.
Speaking of the west coast trip, while on the trip Humbird recorded song great live videos in a studio, here's a favorite and a song the group did last night.
Siri vocals and guitar playing was flawless, and I love how her love vignettes have taken shape since the first time I heard her playing them almost as a joke. Now they are kind of tongue in cheek, but arranged incredibly tight, come on write another verse to each. You'll have to watch for them in her set.
Live music also brings stories, band wives, Rose wine, 4 song set of the love of man & land, and a little synth on a big stand. One of the reasons you go out to see live music is for the banter, it makes a night special.
She left us for the night singing, and boy I was tickled to find this video from the Dakato club:
It's summer, vaccinations are working, and we'll be seeing more music.
Hope you loved the journey today away from playlists. You can find and follow us on Facebook and as always Good Music has NO Expiration Date, so if you are listening to this ten years from now, it still will be awesome music. If this is a first time visit, check out the index of themes for past Reviews and Playlist editions and for the Reviews alone, click here.
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