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The Willie Nile Band ~ 2011 June 10 ~ Club Passim, Cambridge, MA

... by Joanne Corsano

Willie Nile
Willie Nile
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Band personnel: Willie Nile (lead vocals, rhythm guitar, electric piano); Johnny Pisano (backing vocals, bass guitar); Peter Hoffman (lead guitar)

Set List

(I have noted on which songs Willie played the piano ... otherwise he played guitar)

Seeds of a Revolution - Rite of Spring - Singin' Bell - God Laughs - Run - Saving My Semen For You - Innocent Ones - I've Got a Girl - Streets of NY [piano] - The Crossing [piano] - Love is a Train [piano] - American Ride - House of a Thousand Guitars - Rave On {Buddy Holly} - One Guitar ... encore ... When One Stands

Review

The incomparable Willie Nile and his band rocked the house at the historic Club Passim in Harvard Square, known as a folk club, but it wasn't this particular night. Willie accompanied himself on guitar and piano. The band consisted of Johnny Pisano, bass and backing vocals, Peter Hoffman on guitar, and Hirsh Gardener on backing vocals for a few songs. Willie's usual drummer, who also co-writes many of his songs, Frankie Lee, was not present; I suppose if there's no drummer, you can pretend it's folk.

There is some humor in that set list (that one off-color song is actually pretty ridiculous) and a good deal of heartfelt feeling. "Love is a Train" is nothing less than a tour de force. "The Crossing" is another beautiful song about searching for a better life. "God Laughs" and "American Ride" are so far unrecorded songs; "American Ride" is to be the title song of Willie's next album.

Both Willie himself and his musicians are very outgoing with the audience and if one stays around for a few minutes after the show, you'll be able to make his acquaintance and get a taste of his genuine approachability and friendliness.

More Willie

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