2014.03.14 - SXSW2014 - Day 4 - Part 2 (Evening)
Drivin’ N’ Cryin’, Sons Of Fathers, Garland Jeffreys, Nive Nielsen And The Deer Children, Lucinda Williams, Leah Mason
Drivin’ N’ Cryin’ @ The Ginger Man
There was no time for dinner – I just dropped off the car at the hotel and made my way to The Ginger Man to see DNC again for another great set that included "Scarred But Smarter", "Turn", "Ain't Waiting On Tomorrow", "Can't Promise You The World", "Roll Away The Song", "Don't Walk Away" (by guitarist / songwriter Aaron Lee Tasjan) and "Fly Me Courageous".
Video: Drivin’ N’ Cryin’ - Fly Me Courageous (from this show)
Sons of Fathers @ The Gatsby
"The Everly Brothers meets Neil Young and Merle Haggard and The Clash." - Lloyd Maines about Sons Of Fathers
There wasn’t much going on in this timeslot, so I decided to check out how crowded things were at The Gatsby. Sons Of Fathers didn’t do much for me, so I took advantage of the food vans parked next door for a late dinner.
Garland Jeffreys @ Shotguns
“A savvy street poet from the same urban tradition as his contemporary Lou Reed […], Jeffreys made his bones with a series of Seventies albums that spawned such enduring anthems as "Wild in the Streets" and "Matador." He broke a lengthy recording hiatus with 2011's The King of in Between and the new Truth Serum. A charismatic, authoritative live performer.” - Scott Schinder, Austin Chronicle
Indeed he always puts an outstanding show, even in a shithole like Shotguns. The tiny stage crowded with musicians was much too small, so he frequently headed out into the audience.
Nive Nielsen & the Deer Children @ Esther's Follies
"Greenland sweetheart Nive Nielsen hasn't released a full-length since Dec. 2010's Nive Sings!, but that album's crafted like an old blanket – worn in, comfortable, and inviting every time you reach for it. With her Deer Children, a dynamic mix of ukuleles, autoharps, guitars, bongos, and kazoos, she's as busy in North America as she is around Europe.” - Chase Hoffberger, Austin Chronicle
A few doors down Esther's Follies always provides a most welcome respite from the madness on Sixth Street: great sound & lights and even seats with excellent sightlines, making it a perfect place to catch up with Nive. It had been a couple of years since I last seen her and while band and instrumentation had changed a bit since then, her songs sounded as strong as ever.
Lucinda Williams @ The Gatsby
Really, really good show with her ace band featuring Stuart Mathis on guitar, David Sutton on bass, and Butch Norton on drums. The 45-minute set included some great sounding new songs mixed in with staples like "Drunken Angel", "Essence", "Joy" and ended with thundering version of "Keep On Rockin' In The Free World".
Video: Lucinda Williams - Rockin' In the Free World (from another show at SXSW)
Leah Mason @ Maggie Mae's Gibson Room
"Seemingly frail at first glance, Leah Mason is without a doubt one of UK’s most talented guitarists and powerhouse vocalists. Already a darling of the London music scene, the comparisons to the old school great Janis Joplin all make sense once you hear this exceptionally talented musician’s soul-imbued voice." - Band info
Lucinda is hard act to follow, but Leah Mason's set was a good way to end Day 4. Good enoiugh to make me stick around until the very last song - after another 12 hours of music.