Dawes + Cory Chisel At Johnny Brenda’s

It is usually about this time of year I need guitar playing that carries some heft, lyrics that are revelatory and visceral, bass lines that offer more than a steady beat; basically I need good soul nourishing rock and roll to shake off the cold and fortify me until spring finally sets in. I found everything I needed and then some last week at the Dawes + Cory Chisel & The Wandering Sons show.

Cory Chisel & The Wandering Sons

Cory Chisel isn’t challenging any well established classic rock traditions with his music. He isn’t simply mimicking them either. What Cory Chisel and his Wandering Sons is doing is refining the nuances and incidentals often found in the songs from rock’s halcyon days. The skill used to create these beautiful arrangements is taut. Pulling some influence from southern rock, as well as, a bit of bluegrass the Wandering Sons do a great job grounding Chisel’s rock solid vocals.

I would say Chisel’s lyrical deftness is finest when strutted live. The raspy strain countered so delicately by the wonderful Adriel Harris who remains just shy of the lead as though nipping at the heels of his words to keep him going. During their duet on Tennessee Chisel professes his longing for a place and with Harris’ sweet thread weaving through his lyrics it came off almost as a longing for a lover.

At times,  during Born Again in particular, there is a vibe of catharsis about Chisel’s songs. As though by getting this out of his system he is putting aside some baggage and working towards something greater. The set offered up way more than I was expecting and I certainly could’ve listened a lot longer. I suspect there will be future spins through Philly for this group and most likely in the headline role.

Dawes

Dawes’ album “North Hills” has been in consistent rotation these last few weeks. Like a good cup of cocoa their music is familiar and comforting this time of year (well, any time of year really). So, needless to say, I was almost yearning for this show. While they took a song and a half to really find their comfort on stage once they hit their stride they busted out the kind of set that completely restored my energy and enthusiasm for live shows.

This quartet from LA reaches back to the essence of early 70′s folk rock when rich harmonies told simple stories over complex instrumentals. Throughout the entire set the group never once faltered in their connectivity. While the majority of the elaborate riffs were carried by lead Taylor Goldsmith and bassist Wylie Gelber – who’ve been playing together since the band’s previous iteration Simon Dawes- each member contributed to an impressive whole. Taylor’s younger brother Griffin’s percussive touch suggested the modest jangle of classic rock and brought an energy only matched by the intensity of Taylor’s vocals.

The really mesmerizing element of the show was the Gelber’s work on the bass. Rarely do you see someone so entirely in their own world yet still tethered acutely to the rest of the band. Never showy, his bass lines had intention and character that went way beyond the usual plodding note picking. There was a soulfulness that belies what you hear on the album, perhaps emphasized by not only hearing but seeing him play.

Taylor’s vocals also gained an edge that isn’t as apparent on the record. Depending on the emotion the song dictated his voice would reach a raw pitch or strick a genuine twang never loosing its musicality. The volley between each of the band’s members was so organic and smooth the whole set ran like buttah. They tied it up with When My Time Comes and feeding off their energy the packed house was happy to oblige their requests to sing along.

This show was a awesome reminder that while albums can be great absolutely nothing replaces a phenomenal live show. See them.

Tennessee – Cory Chisel & The Wandering Sons (Daytrotter Session)

When My Time Comes- Dawes (Daytrotter Session)