Music Consumed
Robbie Fulks (Hangar)
Touring in support of his new album Upland Stories, Robbie brought with him a band of Nashville giants Shad Cobb, Todd Phillips and Pete Finney to an appreciative but sparse crowd. Sigh.
Greg Klyma seemed genuinely awestruck to be opening for one of his heroes. I know he converted a new fan here. Kevin Maul provided solid backup.
James McMurtry (Hangar)
Mr. McMurtry played through most of Complicated Game and his “greatest hits” to a reasonably full house with a too chatty crowd. In case you were wondering, he still remembers all the words to Choctaw Bingo. Michael Eck and Sten Isachsen opened.
Tedeschi Trucks Band (The Egg)
TU Review here.  I would only add that a 12 piece band in the Hart theater did not need that level of amplification. The only room for their fff was a prison of white noise. But what do I know, I’m old. Get off my lawn.  Highlight was Susan Tedeschi playing with the quartet; musical guitar solo, amazing voice.  Deva Mahal opened with a giant voice of her own.
Mary Halvorson + Colin Marston (EMPAC)
Disparate solo sets from Mary Halvorson and Colin Marston.  Mary Halvorson covered original arrangements of compositions ranging from Noel Akchote to McCoy Tyner from her latest solo record Meltframe.  A treat to see her technique and technology in person.  Colin Marston bathed the room in computerized synth pad heavy on major seconds and sevenths, then manipulated piano improvised anonymously (who was that woman?) using distortion and loop pedals.  A two handed tapped bass solo closed the set.
Yo La Tengo with Dave Schramm (Troy Savings Bank)
Billed as an acoustic show, presumably to scare off those who expected 15 minute feedback solos, but Dave Schramm plugged in his informed guitar to make the evening exceptional.