written by Jana Mihalak
I’ve been a YMSB fan for years, but this was my first
Madison show. I usually hit up the Big Top shows and the First Ave shows.
Winter Tour was something I had never done. Mostly due to my need for
hibernation in Northern Wisco. I entered the Tunespeak contest to win two
tickets to Madison just to see what would happen. Come to find that after weeks
of watching videos, I had won! So my brother, his wife, and our friend decided
to make the trek downstate. I’ve heard of an “energy” that the Madison shows
have. Knowing it wasn’t the usual Orpheum venue, I had no clue what to expect.
I loved that the Barrymore not only had a small pit for those who wanted to be
close and dance their butts off, but also seats for those who preferred to sit
back and take it all in. My choice, of course, was the pit. Securing my spot
close enough to the stage, I settled in, chatted with some Kinfolk, and waited
for Horse Feathers to start.
Horse Feathers blew my mind. Plain and simple. I was more
than impressed with their talent and danced my butt off. The acoustics in the
Barrymore were the best I had heard in a while. My only comparison is First Ave
and a tent in the Northwoods, but Barrymore wins indoor venues hands down.
After Horse Feathers warmed us all up for the main act, we waited patiently.
I always get this surge of energy when Yonder takes the
stage, and Madison was no different. I had suggested a few songs to the band via Twitter and was waiting in anticipation to see what they would open with. After
Ben greeted us all and told us that Madison has something about it that they
all love, "Spanish Harlem Incident" was the opener. Oddly enough this was on my wish list.
Keeping up with a fast paced tempo, they killed it. One of my favorite things
about that song is the end where everyone gets to shine in their own mini
solos. Excellent choice to get the show rolling, and to check one off my list! I
have to say, I loved where I was standing. I loved who I was standing around.
And most of all I love that my concert buddies are my family. During many
points in the show I could look back and just give both my brother and my
sister-in-law a look that they knew all too well... ”Holy crap!!” It was also
amazing to spend most of first set with Dorothy a person or two away. Always a
pleasure seeing her and chatting.
“Mother’s Only Son” started, which is always a treat. Dancing and singing my heart out along with Ben was such a pleasure. This is one of my sister’s favorite songs so I know it was much appreciated by the Mihalak clan. "Nothing But A Breeze" started and Jake took the lead. I’ve been so ecstatic with the addition of Jake and Allie; they add something that is just amazing to the band. Jake’s voice is something I haven’t heard before and I love the songs that showcase his talent. Not to forget his crazy mad skills on the mando. He blows my mind on the mando... so much talent and so fast!! I always find myself just staring at his fingers, amazed. "Irondale" kicked in, which is one of my fave instrumentals. Personally I love that they take time to showcase each member’s talent. Little jam sessions on every instrument are my fave.
“Mother’s Only Son” started, which is always a treat. Dancing and singing my heart out along with Ben was such a pleasure. This is one of my sister’s favorite songs so I know it was much appreciated by the Mihalak clan. "Nothing But A Breeze" started and Jake took the lead. I’ve been so ecstatic with the addition of Jake and Allie; they add something that is just amazing to the band. Jake’s voice is something I haven’t heard before and I love the songs that showcase his talent. Not to forget his crazy mad skills on the mando. He blows my mind on the mando... so much talent and so fast!! I always find myself just staring at his fingers, amazed. "Irondale" kicked in, which is one of my fave instrumentals. Personally I love that they take time to showcase each member’s talent. Little jam sessions on every instrument are my fave.
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| photo courtesy of Jana Mihalak |
A high energy "Jail Song" started and I was pretty much
jumping up and down; another from my dream list. Adam’s voice is always so
smooth and in Madison it was no different. Allie’s fiddle also adds something that is
impossible for me to find words for. When she saws on that fiddle it’s nothing
short of magic.
I have to admit, the next song I seriously thought was going
to be Cypress Hill…. But it turned out to be "Son of a Preacher Man". Allie belted
that out better than I’ve ever heard before. She’s so sweet and demure when
she’s talking to the crowd and then there's the booming voice that comes out when she belts
out songs. She’s such a phenomenal
musician and it’s such a pleasure having her in the group. "Damned if the Right
One Didn’t Go Wrong" started fast and furious. Ben sang that song with such an
upbeat tempo it was hard to try and take pics while dancing furiously. Next came one of my favorites that I hadn’t
heard in forever... Davey busted out "Deep Pockets" and I danced harder than ever. Something about that song and Davey’s voice just gets me. His banjo pickin was
impeccable as well. Always my favorite moment when the man referred to as “his
own triple word score” busts out of his usually quiet corner with a classic.
Which brings us to "Traffic Jam"... Ahhhh… I absolutely love this song. And Drew
Emmitt?!?! AMAZING! This was my first experience with Drew and his skills just blew me out of the water. He can sit in anytime, in my opinion. One of my
favorite things about "Traffic Jam" is the fact that it’s a sandwich song. In
between the bread of "Traffic Jam" Drew sang "Get Me Outta This City". As I said
before, this was my intro to Drew and there’s no better way than with that song.
Watching Jake and Drew go back and forth on the mandos was like watching a
furious shredding competition. I was awestruck for sure. Finishing the sandwich
with "Traffic Jam", first set was done. After a short set break and the longest
bathroom line I’ve been in, it was time for set two.
Set two started with an amazing version of "If You’re Ever in
Oklahoma" sung by Drew. One word comes to mind: epic. They all ripped it up on
this song and it was the best version I had ever seen. Which brings me to "Kentucky Mandolin"... This is
a song that my little clan and I have been chasing for years. Jake's solo at the
beginning kept everyone mesmerized. It was clean and technically amazing. I
can’t help but wonder how his fingers move so fast. This song really got me
moving. My sister took video and I’m pretty sure this is the song where I have
“spirit fingers”. Up next was Adam with "Another Day". Then the crowd started
jamming to the bluegrass jam, and it was followed
by Ben with "Must've Had Your Reasons". It had been a while since I had heard this
song and it was an added treat for sure. Mister Jake Jolliff sung and played
his heart out with "Whitehouse Blues" after. That high energy song kept me moving
even though I had thought my energy was gone a while ago. Next was a song that
has grown on me. "Years with Rose" is a song that I had to learn to love, and I
can honestly say that I love when Adam sings it. Now for my favorite part of the
whole night: The red lights came on and the first part of "Angel" rang out. This
is a song I could hear every damn show that I go to. Davey just has the perfect
voice and I love love love when they get dark. It’s also a perfect sandwich
song. This sandwich was the perfect dark sandwich, too. "Fingerprint" came up, which is so perfect following Angel. I think this review makes it clear,
I LOVE me some Davey songs. In the
middle of this amazeballs sandwich was "Robots". This was the perfect middle of
this insanely dark dance your ass off sandwich. Ending the second set we went
back into "Fingerprint" and closed it up with "Angel".
Like many of the crowd
members I screamed my head off until the gang came back out and rocked us with
an amazing encore. Allie belted out "C’est La Vie" and I know that the whole
crowd was doing the shuffle from Pulp Fiction. "Troubled Mind"> "20 Eyes"> "Troubled Mind" closed the night. Those songs are some of my faves and it was the
perfect way to end our lovely evening in Madison with Yonder. All in all this
was one of my fave shows to date. I love the new lineup and how well they mesh
together.
