Show Review
Brian Ahnmark
Cory Chisel's voice can silence a drunk.
Cory Chisel's voice has super powers.
It's weathered beyond its 27 years, steeped in gospel, soaked in soul, with an honesty and warmth rooted in a Midwestern upbringing. But its most impressive attribute?
Cory Chisel's voice can silence a drunk.
Chisel and The Wandering Sons, touring in support of their 2009 album Death Won't Send A Letter, stopped by the Rumba Cafe in Columbus on February 17.
Death Won't Send A Letter is a fine effort crafted with a notable cast of contributors. “Little Jack” Lawrence and Patrick Keeler of the Raconteurs/Greenhornes provided bass and percussion, respectively, on the record; fellow Raconteur Brendan Benson co-wrote the album's lead-off track, “Born Again”; and Carl Broemel of My Morning Jacket guested on guitar.
None of the aforementioned collaborators were present in Columbus on Wednesday. None of them were missed, either, as Chisel and The Wandering Sons put on a superb, varied performance.
The band opened with the one-two punch of “Angel of Mine” and “What Do You Need.” Throughout the ominous shuffle of the former and the propulsive rhythms of the latter, Chisel's voice immediately and effortlessly commanded the proceedings.
What he did next was even better. Just three songs into the set, Chisel unleashed “So Wrong For Me,” a mournful ballad marked by intricate acoustic finger-picking. His hushed vocals melted into the harmonies of Adriel Harris, keyboardist and backing singer of The Wandering Sons. The downright ballsy selection quieted the boisterous crowd - even the noisy drunk in the front row who had spent the previous two songs discussing late-night plans with a friend. Late-set highlight “Tennessee” (introduced by Chisel as “A love song to a great state”) similarly challenged the audience in the packed club. These tender moments were the most affecting of the entire performance.
Chisel and The Wandering Sons closed the 11-song concert with a buoyant, surging version of “Longer Time At Sea.” This ecstatic farewell served as a fitting counterbalance to the early show tranquility, impressively showcasing Chisel's range as a writer.
Chisel's songs are interjected with a sense of simple purity, sprung perhaps from his religious background (his father was a Baptist minister) or the personal connection he professes to share with nature. Rich acoustic strumming intertwines with electric leads and keyboard flourishes, and then there's that voice – seasoned, expressive, emotional.
Best of all, the live format stripped Chisel's songs of the slick production sheen that dulls them on record, giving each tune a renewed sense of urgency and immediacy from the stage.
It's weathered beyond its 27 years, steeped in gospel, soaked in soul, with an honesty and warmth rooted in a Midwestern upbringing. But its most impressive attribute?
Cory Chisel's voice can silence a drunk.
Chisel and The Wandering Sons, touring in support of their 2009 album Death Won't Send A Letter, stopped by the Rumba Cafe in Columbus on February 17.
Death Won't Send A Letter is a fine effort crafted with a notable cast of contributors. “Little Jack” Lawrence and Patrick Keeler of the Raconteurs/Greenhornes provided bass and percussion, respectively, on the record; fellow Raconteur Brendan Benson co-wrote the album's lead-off track, “Born Again”; and Carl Broemel of My Morning Jacket guested on guitar.
None of the aforementioned collaborators were present in Columbus on Wednesday. None of them were missed, either, as Chisel and The Wandering Sons put on a superb, varied performance.
The band opened with the one-two punch of “Angel of Mine” and “What Do You Need.” Throughout the ominous shuffle of the former and the propulsive rhythms of the latter, Chisel's voice immediately and effortlessly commanded the proceedings.
What he did next was even better. Just three songs into the set, Chisel unleashed “So Wrong For Me,” a mournful ballad marked by intricate acoustic finger-picking. His hushed vocals melted into the harmonies of Adriel Harris, keyboardist and backing singer of The Wandering Sons. The downright ballsy selection quieted the boisterous crowd - even the noisy drunk in the front row who had spent the previous two songs discussing late-night plans with a friend. Late-set highlight “Tennessee” (introduced by Chisel as “A love song to a great state”) similarly challenged the audience in the packed club. These tender moments were the most affecting of the entire performance.
Chisel and The Wandering Sons closed the 11-song concert with a buoyant, surging version of “Longer Time At Sea.” This ecstatic farewell served as a fitting counterbalance to the early show tranquility, impressively showcasing Chisel's range as a writer.
Chisel's songs are interjected with a sense of simple purity, sprung perhaps from his religious background (his father was a Baptist minister) or the personal connection he professes to share with nature. Rich acoustic strumming intertwines with electric leads and keyboard flourishes, and then there's that voice – seasoned, expressive, emotional.
Best of all, the live format stripped Chisel's songs of the slick production sheen that dulls them on record, giving each tune a renewed sense of urgency and immediacy from the stage.
