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Concert Review - Brown Bird @ World Cafe Live

Brown Bird @World Cafe Live (Upstairs).

Heading into this show, I was super pumped for the Rhode Island duo.  Back in July I was torn between David Wax Museum and Brown Bird for who to see @ Newport Folk Festival.  My wife, Brosef & his girlfriend, all wanted to see D Wax & Co, but I still had to give Brown Bird a shot.  I decided to start with Brown Bird and then switch stages.  I had been so into The Sounds of Ghosts EP.   But after picking up  the Devil Dancing, just a week prior I was hooked.   I watched a few tracks and then headed over to David Wax Museum to join the rest of my crew.  David Wax seemed a little over-matched for the huge main stage setting at Newport, and the Brown Bird stage was so intimate, I had to go back.  I was rewarded, as the end of the show included some tracks from the E.P.   Even better was they were given time for another song, and the unplanned encore was 'Jackson' originally by Johnny Cash & June Carter-Cash

When the World Cafe Live show started, I must admit I was disappointed to find out that Brown Bird was the first opener for Dark, Dark, Dark.  I don't know if I misread or if personnel dictated a swap.  Based on my observations at sound check, it appeared that one musician was in both bands.  Either way, all disappointment immediately disappeared when Brown Bird started.


Brown Bird - World Cafe Live set list
the Devil Dancing - 'Danger & Dread'
the Devil Dancing 'Down to the River'
Salt for Salt..Nothing Left'
4. Salt for Salt. Shiloh
5. Salt for Salt - .Thunder and Lightning
6. Salt for Salt - 'Fingers to the Bone'
7. the Devil Dancing 'By the Reins'
8. The Sounds of Ghosts 'Cast no Shadow'.

The band is simply David Lamb & Morganeve Swain, but they perform what was once 5 parts with ease as a duo. They swap out instruments from song to song, playing Upright Bass, Cello, Violin, banjo and guitar. David pulls off a three-some, with Percussion, vocals and guitar/banjo. 'Fingers to the Bone' was the best of the night, with David on banjo.  The eighth track was a bonus as Brown Bird was told they had more time.  Morganeve played some excellent violin on 'Cast No Shadow'.

I picked up the vinyl for The Dancing Devil at the show. I listened to it the next day while doing some home remodeling and was pleasantly surprised to find a download code for the album. I wasn't anticipating that as I downloaded the album back in July prior to Newport Folk Festival. So, the first eager reader to comment with your email, I will send you the site info & download code!

I couldn't ask for any more out of the night, except for more songs from Brown Bird.  Being that I had a babysitter on the clock, we passed on Pillars & Tounges, and the headliner Dark Dark Dark.  But for those of you who want to know more about the headliner, here's a widget from their site!  Enjoy!


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