Slambovian Underground ~ 2019 March 8 ~ First Encounter Coffeehouse ~ Eastham, MA
Band Personnel: Joziah Longo, lead vocals, acoustic guitar, harmonica; Tink Lloyd, accordion, cello, flute, sitar, washboard, recorder, tambourine, cowbell, vocals; Sharkey McEwen, electric guitar, mandolin, backing and lead vocals.
Set List
Lost Highway - Look Around - Circus of Dreams - Silent Revolution - Big Ted {Incredible String Band} - A Good Thief Tips His Hat - Folson Prison Pinball / I Wish - Just Like a Woman {Bob Dylan} - Step Outta Time - Bees ... intermission ... Flapjacks From the Sky - Beautiful Friggin' Day - Solve It All Daily - Baby Jane - Very Happy Now / Epistle to Dippy {Donovan} / I Wanna Be Sedated {Ramones} - Never Fit - Within You Without You {Beatles} - Trans-Slambovian BiPolar Express ... encore ... Scarecrow {Pink Floyd} - Golden Slumbers intro {Beatles} - The Invisible
Setlist also available at setlist.fm
Videos
Circus of Dreams
Bees
Very Happy Now medley
Review
This was my first time seeing this three-person version of the Slambovian Circus of Dreams. I saw the duo show format two years ago at this same venue when it was just Joziah and Tink (during Sharkey's hiatus from the band). I think there can be no argument that Sharkey's presence at this show tonight improved everything about the show.
The trio, calling themselves the Slambovian Underground, played in a relaxed fashion all evening, seeming to enjoy every minute. A couple of times a song was interrupted to make a correction, and a few of the songs were numbers they admitted they hadn't played in a while. I particularly enjoyed hearing the sweet ballad about being a non-comformist, "Never Fit." Multi-instrumentalist Tink pulled out an instrument I'd never seen her use before, a washboard. The band took a stab at the song on which she plays the theremin, "Flapjacks From the Sky," and it really sounded good, as did just about everything they played.
I won't say nobody noticed the absence of the rhythm section. But these three musicians have played together so long and are so in tune with one another, they had no trouble at all improvising ways of filling in the gaps due to the absence of Felipe and Bob. I am happy to see the Slambovian trio stepping out and performing without the safety net of the rhythm section. It really expands the venues where they can play; a place like the First Encounter is definitely a folk venue and would be unlikely to book the full band with drums and electric bass. This way the music can get to a wider audience.
Joziah threw in a few improvs from the world of somewhat obscure rock 'n' roll. You should see me scribbling lyrics in my notebook so that I have a shot at figuring out later what he was playing. I think I got them all right, but please somebody correct me if there are mistakes on that set list (above).
The First Encounter Coffeehouse, just a short distance down Samoset Street off Rte. 6 (turn at the windmill) is a lovely place to see a show. The light show that played behind the musicians, and the sparkly frosted stained glass windows of the chapel made for beautiful visual appeal. There's plenty of parking at the Eastham Library, a two minute walk away from the front door. The room was pretty full with happy concertgoers, including a good number of first-timers. There's coffee and sweets, as befits a folk venue. They've done some renovations since I last attended a show, and it looks like they'll be staying in business bringing great folk and acoustic music to the Lower Cape for a long time to come.
More Slambovians
Here is a page with a handy list of links to all pages on this website with content relating to the Slambovian Circus of Dreams.
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