On a logistical level alone, the New England Americana Fest Winter Jubilee was an impressive feat. Nineteen performers [including myself, but I won’t review me here, I have too much pride] played on two stages at the Medford Brewing Company. One corner by the bar was designated the Acoustic Stage [which is where I played, but I won’t review me – I have too much pride], and the main room with the Full Band Stage. Most everyone played three songs, bouncing back and forth between the stages, one act striking up just as the last stopped.
The packed crowd bounced from one side of the place to the other to try to take it in. Sooz from online Boston music station Oh, Hello Boston, compared it to local band speed dating. Taken as a whole, the evening showed off the depth and breadth of the local Americana scene. Some of the heavy hitters like Tigerman Woah! and Other Brother Darryl topped the bill, along with the indefatigable Kier Byrnes, who organized the event, fronting his Kettle Burners.
On the acoustic stage, damian israel shiner of damian & the displayers kicked things off solo with his fine, sonorous voice. The Telecaster and bass duo Replacing the DJ played a slinky, funky set of pop and jazz covers, John Stump laying down the groove and Jay DiBiasio skating over the top with cosmic guitar licks. Chuck Melchin played solo acoustic. The duo Wayward Vine harmonized beautifully. Andrew Mason McIntosh kicked off his set with a minor key rocker reminiscent of Dylan’s “Things Have Changed,” and worked a little “Blue Christmas” into the theme. Katie Leigh had a classic old-timey folk sound that wouldn’t have been out of place on 40s country radio. Other Brother Darryl, recent Country Artist of the Year at the Boston Music Awards, promised ten minutes of chaos, though what we got was the heartfelt Jayhawks harmonies of their single “Sometimes” and a song they have to release as a studio track, “Trees.” Elisa Smith and Arin Bonnie (surprisingly, the only fiddle player of the night), closed down the Acoustic Stage with their modern country stomp.
The Dave Sammarco Band christened the Full Band Stage with their twangy traditional country sound. Robby Roadsteamer made an appearance. Rockers Sunfisher amped up the overdrive, with some particularly strong lead guitar. Comanchero vacillated between reggae and straight-ahead rock grooves. Sam Reid & The Riot Act, playing as a four-piece, had a bouncy bluegrass feel, trading off acoustic guitar and electric mando riffs. Daniel Miller & The High Life played a muscular rock set with two electric guitars blazing.
A few acts got into the Christmas spirit, but none more than Lonely Leesa & The Lost Cowboys. Singer Leesa Coyne, decked out in a Christmas tree dress and hat, belted holiday classics, Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas Is You” and Darlene Love’s “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home).” Those songs are in everyone’s ears every year, and they’re not easy to make fresh, but Leesa and the band put their backs behind them and drove them home. Not easy energy to follow, but Tigerman Whoa! can make a three-song set sound like an epic show, and they did with “My Grave,” “Guess So,” and a rousing “May the Circle Be Unbroken.” Nate Perry and Ragged Company brought to mind early Son Volt with their set. Kier Byrnes and the Kettle Burners ended the night with an energetic set, driven by some nimble accordion work and some washboard scratching for good measure.
The night benefited the Boston Children’s Hospital. If you missed the night and still want to donate, you can find out how on their website. And if you want to catch some video of the performances, Damian and Bill Woodworth spend the night running around and capturing the bands. You can find a lot of it on their individual sites, or on Bill’s site RockInBoston.com. (Nick A. Zaino III, writer for The Boston Globe, No Depression, American Songwriter, etc)