written by Kelli Scott
Nashville
was an unexpected show for me. I
was in Knoxville the night before, and decided last minute to make the 3 hour
journey west for the Marathon Music Works show. (d)Eric Martin made the trip with me. We arrived in town early that
afternoon. A nice stroll through Antique
Archaeology from the History Channel’s famous American Pickers show helped us
pass the time. The store - full of high value, vintage loot - is located in the
Marathon Village, next door to the venue. The word “Village” would imply a nice little area, with lots of things
to do, but that’s not the case. Marathon Music Works is located in an industrial, old warehouse section of town…down near the
railroad tracks. After the Antique Archaeology store, we headed down to the slick side of town to meet Peggy and Tim for some
dinner and window shopping before the show. Broadway Street was full of action, glitter, and neon lights on
the unseasonably warm winter Friday evening in Nashville. If you are in need of a new pair of
boots, this is the place for you ;).
A Nashville show is not complete without a few sit-ins. Jason Carter was on the bill for the evening, and was the special guest for the first
nine shows of the Winter Tour 2013 run. The Travelin’ McCourys were playing a few tunes across town at the
Opry. A rumor was circulating
earlier in the afternoon that Futureman, and possibly Ronnie McCoury, were
going to make an appearance at Marathon Music Works. The anticipation of collaborations with musical buddies
filled the air.
Wood & Wire opened the show. I saw them for the first time in Knoxville the previous night. They were really enjoyable and a great
opening act for YMSB. Kimber
Ludiker, 2009-2010 National Fiddle Champion, and member of the amazing all-girl
bluegrass band Della Mae, came out for a tune with Wood & Wire. She brought bushels of energy to the
stage and really ignited the crowd.
“Illinois Rain” opened the show. For me, this song really strikes a chord combining a number of my true
loves. JA’s lyrics are chalked
with underlying themes of optimism, relentless hope for a better day,
perseverance, and the gift of unanswered prayers all swirled around the forces
of nature and the weather. Ben kept us traveling through a journey across the flat
plains into the great west with a tale of another location-based song, “40
Miles from Denver”. Next, it was
Dave’s turn with “Loved you Enough”, followed up by another wonderful banjo
tune, “Strophe”. Jason Carter has
just simply ruined this song for me... it will not be the same without the amazing
fiddle/banjo dynamic. Adam’s “All
the Time” was next. The realistic
lyrics of this tune and AA’s hard-hitting licks make it one of my new favorites.
The boys welcomed Futureman to the stage, and a ragin’ “King Ebeneezer” really got the party started. It was reminiscent of days past with a
heavy dose of raw scatting and teasing from Austin, infused with a new brand of
funky pedal action. My every
movement and breath rest on the notes flowing from the stage… this “King Eb”
was spellbinding and had me under its whim. Ben lifted the intense vibe with the reggae bounce of “2
Hits” for a fun loving groove, allowing plenty of space for Futureman and Carter
to shine. It was great to boogie
with Peggy, Tim, Eric, and Kayla plus all the other extremely fun-loving folks
of Nashville. Jeff commented on
the million reasons they loved ‘Music City, USA’. The fast ass bluegrass licks gave us all the freedom to kick
up some dust and ease our “Trouble Minds”.
Things cooled down with a really special, “Don’t Worry, Happy Birthday”. The next day was Eric Martin’s birthday, and
he was so excited with the new winter schedule, which gifted him a birthday
show. It was better that (d)Eric
got his favorite in Nashville, the night before his big day... that way he could
actually remember it ;). The
cheerful “Idaho” followed, and the
first set ended with a rockin’ version of “Angel”, amplified by Carter’s
fiddle. The deep dark sinister
tone gives me chills reaching all the way from my toes to the tiny hairs on the
top of my head.
The wonderfully written “Jail Song” opened up the second set. “You can’t drown that kinda flame”. I
really wish Adam would finish “JS”. I miss the good ole’ days when he would give us the ending riff after
the small rest at the end of the song. I always wait for it, but it just doesn’t happen. I really miss it. I’m always happy to hear the cover
“Althea”, and it really united the
crowd. I closed my eyes and
allowed my mind to wander... Funny, both “Jail Song” and “Althea” reference
playing with “fire”, and the cautionary tale of the unfortunate
consequences. Goes to show, many
things are better left alone and should only live in your imagination.
“Straight from stage of the Grand Ole’ Opry, it’s one of Nashville’s
greatest sons”, Jeff said as the band welcomed Ronnie McCoury to the
stage. With no time to waste,
Carter opened up the extremely fast “Katy Hill”. It was noted that Yonder had not covered this one since
2004. Next the fun continued with
“New Deal Train”. This was a little
unexpected to play with Ronnie, if you ask me... but he added lots of fluttery,
flirty mando rifts. The trio of
songs with Ronnie was completed with the Bad Livers' story of a father’s
smothering love, “Pretty Daughter”. Ronnie’s mandolin notes are as cool, clean, and crisp as the pure
mountain dew on a brisk Appalachian morning. Jeff was so excited! - jumping up and down like a little kid
and resting on Ronnie’s every pick and strum. He was obviously taking notes. It was so fun to watch.
“Honestly” was next, followed by a Ben and Adam tune that I’m so happy
has found a way onto Yonder’s setlist, “Smiles”. I’ve loved this tune ever since I heard Ben and Adam play it
at Delfest so many summers ago. Dave and Jason kept the strings hot for ”You’re No Good”, trading off on solos. Dave’s banter is unmatched. He is the “Witty Wildcard” of the
bunch. Ben gave us more of a
serious mood with “I’d Like Off”, which provided the crowd with some needed
breathing room. An explosive “Ten” was the first layer of the big sandwich
ending the 2nd set. As
the jam slowed down in the middle of “Ten”, Jeff surprised us all with a tease
of Marvin’s Gays “What’s Going On”. I’m assuming it was inspired by the overzealous, extremely simulated
crowd. “Looking Back Over My
Shoulder” > “Ten” finished the set. I had to take a break from the rail around mid “LBOMS”. The crowd became too rowdy.
Futureman was back out for the
encore. I thought I was OK with
sitting out the rest of the show in the back by Ted. But the opening notes of
“I am the Slime” pulled me back up front where I got my second wind and danced
my heart out with Peggy and (d)Eric. You know, “I’m totally controlled and do what I am told...” The encore
ended with Willie’s “Bloody Mary Morning”, a very appropriate and fitting cover
for this energized Friday night crowd in Music City.
Written by Kelli Scott; photos by Eric Martin
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