Prime Orchestra, Row C, Seat 21 (left half of the center
section, 2 rows in back of the orchestra pit)
It’s difficult to pick a favorite among the four times I’ve
seen this band perform live (previously 2014,
2016,
and 2019).
Tonight, their only song not written by a member of the band was the second and
final encore, a spirited rendition of the Beatles’ “Don’t Let Me Down”. Tracks
from Obviously, their latest (and,
for me, greatest) album, made up approximately half of the setlist, with the
remainder consisting of mostly familiar songs from their previous efforts.
(Interestingly enough, their final pre-encore threesome exactly matched that
from two years ago.) Highlights included the two best tracks from their new
album, the infectious “Hypotheticals” and a killer, throwback-style soulful
duet between Rachael Price and keyboardist Akie Bermiss (“Same Old News”). Also
impressive was a three-song acoustic mini-set in the middle of the show – one of
several occasions when Bridget Kearney proved adapt at swiftly relocating her
upright bass from one part of the stage to another – followed by a solo vocal
turn by Bermiss on “Alone Again”. As usual, the musicianship and pacing of the
show were impeccable, despite the recent departure of trumpeter and guitarist
Mike "McDuck" Olson (the new guy on guitar did just fine, although I
didn’t quite catch his name), and Price continues to be one of the most
charismatic frontwomen (frontpeople?) around today. There were several points
where the intensity of the elaborate LED lighting was quite annoying, althought
the pink Victoria’s Secret type effect on “Red Light Kisses” was quite
appropriate. However, the attempted audience singalong on that number didn’t
work quite as well as it might have, given the (mostly) masked crowd.
This is the second
time I saw Valerie June as an opening act; I still have to agree with her description
of her sound (“Organic Moonshine Roots Music”). I particularly enjoyed the
second half of her 40-minute set, which started with “Smile” and “Call Me A
Fool” from her most recent album, continued with the intense classic “Workin’
Woman Blues”, and concluded with the joyously energetic “Got Soul”. The bluesy “Fool”,
which she recorded as a duet with Carla Thomas, is certain to rank high on the
upcoming “Rambling Rhoads Best Songs Of 2021” list.
Unlike the “podded”
shows in the first half of the summer, the Filene Center (which has a high
roof but is mostly open at the sides and back) has been at full capacity since
early July. Given the recently-worsening coronavirus situation, however, Wolf Trap
announced a couple of weeks back that masks would be required indoors
(including within the Filene Center), and that all attendees must show proof of
either vaccination or a negative covid test. (They checked before attendees got
close to the gates, attaching a wristband after verifying their status.)
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