The Cris Jacobs Band w/ Justin Trawick and the Common Good – AMP, 2/8/2020

This was billed as a “standing” show, with the front quarter of the room open and tables behind that and a few to the sides. The two of us had a small, round reserved table (you have to know the right people) by the window, near the back of the standing-room section. During the opening set, there was almost an invisible arc in front of the stage that no one ventured into, so we had a nice view. For Jacobs’ set, however, many of the folks formerly sitting in the rear moved into the standing area, making our view of the stage more difficult.

 

This turned out to be one of the first shows for new band members Corey Wells (guitar) and Ben White (keyboard); the band started at around 9:15 and went until around 11. They put on an exciting live show, highlighted by Jacobs’ strong, versatile vocals and plenty of soloing by him and the other band members. Their sound includes elements of roots rock, Southern soul, country, and jam-band. As far as I know, all of the songs in their main set were originals, although they encored by covering a Bill Withers song that I didn’t recognize.

 

Justin Trawick and the Common Good did a 45-minute opening set, featuring a number of his mostly-Americana original songs (plus an unlikely cover of “Stayin’ Alive”). I had previously caught just the first few songs of their set at Rockville’s Hometown Holidays last spring, so I’m not sure whether the woman who came out to rap on a couple songs was a recent addition, a regular member of the ensemble, or a special guest.