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Review: |
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If you've read many of my reviews, you can tell I'm a big sucker
for slightly retro-sounding music. That may be some of the basis for
my liking of The Possibilities. Although I've never heard their
recordings, in concert, this band always has a Merseybeat feel that
just appeals to me. Anyway, this fondness led me to travel down to
Athens to see The Possibilities open for Jack Logan on a Saturday
night. I knew it was going to be an odd show. Each act planned to
play two alternating sets over the course of the evening.
Furthermore, The Possibilities are Jack Logan's backing band, so
they would be on stage more or less for the entire show.
When The Possibilities took the stage a little after 11, they
launched into a set pretty much like I would expect -- lots of
jangly happy songs which recall early-60s Britpop. Nothing
particularly earth-shattering, but very solid and fun, filled with
catchy, hummable melodies. Soundwise, everything seemed tight
(although as the evening progressed guitarist Kevin Lane's voice
seemed to give out a bit). I had started off the evening sitting
down, but within minutes I was standing up so I could bounce and
move to the music. And I was really disappointed when they wrapped
up after some 45 minutes and turned over the stage to Jack
Logan.
But I shouldn't have been.
Now, I've heard of Jack Logan (and I've even heard some of his
recordings). And I tend to pigeonhole him into the lo-fi genre of Bill
Callahan or Stephin Merritt. Normally, I find that sort of music
entertaining and diverting, but I don't think I would have on this
particular evening. Therefore, I was pleasantly surprised when Jack
Logan took the stage, backed by the opening band as well as his
longtime collaborator Kelly Keneipp, and began to play this slightly
off-kilter, somewhat dark rock music. In some ways, it reminded me
of Myssouri
without the honky-tonk Western feel…or perhaps it's more similar to
something off Palace Records (but without all the Appalachian
overtones).
And as the set progressed, I became more and more impressed by
this intriguing mix of musical styles and sounds. For instance, one
song might have a straight-up rock melody, but then the next would
come across as a Gospel tune that would sound perfectly at home in
some rural Southern church. Normally when a band or musician varies
so widely in their music, the overall effect is one of some split
personality. But in this case, everything seemed to flow well.
The only complaint I had is that, with the backing of The
Possibilities, it was somewhat inevitable that at times, I would
stand there and think, "Haven't I heard this already this evening?"
But the songs themselves were so compelling that I quickly forgot
the comparisons and lost myself in the music. As the last notes
faded at the end of his first set, I was firmly convinced that Jack
Logan reminds me most of Billy Bragg. His expressive voice easily
addresses a wide range of topics, while still making everything seem
personal and significant. It was different than I had expected, and
definitely better.
After another small break, The Possibilities returned to the
stage to play a short second set. It was similar to the first set
they played, although filled with different songs. While they
played, I was able to more clearly examine the structure of the
band's music. Previously, I would have called them
Merseybeat-influenced jangle pop and left it at that. This time,
however, you could hear how they would take elements from other
styles and bands and then modify it. It was neat to be able to pick
out the genesis of some hook and then hear how The Possibilities
made it their own. To top it off, they made it sound so effortless,
without any histrionics or display to distract me from the
music.
Similarly, when Jack Logan returned to the stage for his second
set (this time without Kelly Keneipp, but still with The
Possibilities backing him), it was much the same as his first set.
Again, the songs covered a variety of topics and styles; again, I
became so involved in the show that I couldn't focus on anything
except the music. And I was thrilled when the show finished with a
rousing cover of Jumpin' Jack Flash. Honestly, I don't think
I've ever heard a band (except perhaps for Social Distortion) that
could pull off a Rolling Stones cover . However, the combo of Jack
Logan and The Possibilities pulled it off and left the crowd wanting
more.
If that's not the way a rock show should be, I'm not sure what
is. |
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