Sister Hazel was a nostalgia show I couldn’t resist. They’re not my genre of music, but they were
my first concert, so I wanted to bring back memories. How did they sound 13 years later, after that
first Sunken Gardens show? Better
actually. They knew exactly who they
were, what they wanted to do, and they got it done.
--- Prompting the crowd from the start: “Lemme see your
cocktails...DC!”
--- “Mandolin Moon.”
It somehow was not on the list I listened to, but it features nice
backing vocals by the end.
--- “Wait, you want more than one song?...If you can't clap
your hands, stomp your foot.” HA, nice!
--- “Shame.” Ooh,
nice electric solo midway through! Whoa,
the guitarist is from Fairfax?!
--- “Your Winter” into.......“Hey Jude”?!!!! The former is
well paced and satisfying as ever -- one of the three songs I loved more than a
decade ago at William and Mary. The
singer sounds so different from the record (way more bass), but soulful just
the same. Sliding into the Beatles
number toward the end was wild. Don't
know how they relate thematically, but it sure worked!
--- Aww, Andrew Copeland’s kids are at the show. It's
unique/cool to have so many band members do lead vocals on songs. His vocals on “Something to Believe In” are
strong! Evidently the song's about the military.
--- “Everything's gotta have something to believe in. Can I get an amen?” Heh, not the same crowd as last month's Rise
Against show.
--- “No Kiss Without Whiskey” is catchy. Gah, apparently a
lot of these songs are from a 2016 album I really should've listened to. Ooh, keyboard solo. Even without knowing it, it's fun.
--- “We were on a compilation with Goo Goo Dolls, Elton
John, and Fleetwood Mac. My best friend Robert DeNiro said I should never name
drop.” HA!
--- The cover of Fleetwood Mac's “Gold Dust Woman” is so
different. No need to “blame” Ryan
Newell, the Fairfax guitarist -- this is awesome. This is way more my sound. Woooo.
He messed up the lyrics at one point, which made it better. I gotta
start listening to Fleetwood Mac!!
--- I'm surrounded by people who insist on talking through
Copeland's earnest intro to “This Kind of Love.” They should be flogged. It continues through the song. Oh well -- they don't deserve the CLARITY of
his vocal.
Sister Hazel’s mission statement: “to have you leave here a
little more happy than you were when you came in.” The song “Happy” sounds weak, but I
appreciate the intro.
--- “Run Highway Run.”
If others find this comforting, cool, but it's like so many of the songs
on their records: bob, bob, bobs along.
Inoffensive, indistinguishable, bland.
--- Awwwww, they prompt everyone to high five the people
around them. I hesitate, not feeling
fully connected, and six people come for me.
Good for them!
--- Intro about their Gainesville beginnings leads to
“Family Tradition, “Friends in Low Places,” “Country Road,” and “Sweet
Caroline.” Shameless crowd pleasers /
you can’t help but smile.
--- Awww at the guitarist coming over and smiling at the guy
taking his pic during “All For You.”
Plus, the guy in front of me, who hasn't said a thing, starts singing
and SPINNING the whole way through!
--- “Swan Dive” has a nice funk to it.
--- Nooo, they're about to head for the encore. I don't think I'm going to get “Champagne
High” and “Your Mistake.” Please both!!
--- “Champagne High”!!!!!
Starts as a solo acoustic, a new person enters the stage each new
verse. I have ever seen that
before. A whole new song!
--- Aww at “Change Your Mind”’s chorus/message. Nice job, guys.
Grade: B+ / A-
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