Son Volt 10.11.05

Half past 10 p.m. Son Volt entered Boulder Theater stage left, hooked up and played. The
crowd was minimal. I took up a spot 6 feet shy of center stage. Right off the sound was loud.
Jay Farrar kept a stern expression, ditto guitarist Chris Frame, as traks from Okemah & The
Melody Of Riot were tossed toward the audience. Finally, during Joe Citizen Blues, scant
rays of joy became evident. Jay is usually slow to show emotion with the crowd. I don't know
why cause his smile is as warm as his voice. Frame coaxed numerous effects from his guitar
during lead and background riffs. Right stage the happy eyed Duplantis steadily banged his
bass and made enough audience contact to cover Jay and Dave's unintentional myopia. Dave
Bryson smiled and laughed as he thumped his kit like any song might be his last. I especially
enjoyed how Bryson and Duplantis wove the bass and percussion.

Jay opened playing a black Duo Gretsch w/bigsby and changed guitars often... Gretsch Gold
Sparkle Jet, Epiphone Special and a Gibson acoustic. Dave Frame used an ash Fender American
Deluxe Telecaster exclusively, feedback and effects self induced. Andrew Duplantis went with
a well worn creme Fender Jazz Bass except for a couple of trips on a Cherry Sunburst Gibson
Les Paul Standard Bass.

As my JD & Coke turned to ice cubes a few older tunes got into the mix. Everything sounded
good. Duplantis' harmony vocals were right on. Frame's western licks and solos kept the speed
increasing while complementing Farrar's lead and unmistakably fine voice. I sensed this 37
venue tour, which began September 2nd in Spokane, has been tiring. This was the business
version of a relaxed Son Volt I had seen June 19th at the Fox Theater.

Half past midnight Son Volt called it quits. A few minutes later the encore began with a cover
of the Clash's Armageddon followed by an electrified Uncle Tupelo standard, Chickamauga
circa 1993.

I left satisfied to have been within 6 feet of Alt-Country's greatest influences
and collaborators.

Review by Jay Niemoth, 10.11.2005