Concert Review - David Wax Museum with Pearl and the Beard @ Concerts at the Crossing, November 19th, 2011

Just two months ago, I watched my first full concert with the David Wax Museum at Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, Pa.   David mentioned they were coming back a few weeks later @Johnny Brenda's.   Once I got home and looked at the calendar, I was disappointed to find out that I was booked solid that weekend, with Blind Pilot @ Union Transfer the night before.  But before I could RSVP no, I noticed another upcoming Philly area show in Titusville, NJ.

As the date crept closer, I was getting quite skeptical.  Only 5 folks RSVP'd for the show, including myself and 3 members of the bands.  I was worried that this would be a sparse crowd and at a Unitarian Universalist church that happened to also have concerts, who knew if it would be any good?!  Lastly, the Longwood Gardens show was so beautifully set, how could anything compare?

FRANK JACOBS PHOTOGRAPHY

I was incredibly wrong, the Concerts at the Crossing series at the Unitarian Universalist Church at Washington Crossing in Titusville, NJ was great.  The staff was so welcoming, there were ZERO bad spots to sit for a view or sound.  No one bumped into you, no cloudy ears later on.  There was an intermission with snacks.  Oh, and the most important part, the sound was well done.  During parts of Pearl and the Beard, you could hear David Wax, relaxing on the back wall, singing along!

David Wax Museum was also a step up from Longwood Gardens.  A trio previously with Greg Glassman, the band was a quartet with Alec Spiegelman on clarinet and baritone sax.  Alec of Cuddle Magic can be heard on both Everything is Saved and  Carpenter Bird.

FRANK JACOBS PHOTOGRAPHY

David Wax Museum played a good array of songs from both 2009's Carpenter Bird, and the 2011 release.Everything is Saved, but also treated the crowd with a a deep cut 'Rosamar' from I Turned off Thinking About, new song 'Turn This Love Around', plus the debut of 'Leopard'.  This was an excellent venue to attempt those new songs as the crowd seemed to be majority novice David Wax Museum fans.

The performance was stellar as usual.  Suz Slezak, a little under the weather, didn't let any of her ills show on a fantastic version of 'Look What You've Done To Me'.  The track with the Suz led vocals is such a treat, hopefully it will be released as part of a single or limited edition version of their next album.  Pearl and the Beard joined the band on 'Let Me Rest'.  Signature David Wax Museum live show activities such as the "Yes" vs "No" battle ensued for 'Yes, Maria, Yes', likewise the entertaining and captivating roam of the venue during 'Carpenter Bird' was top notch.  The highlight there was David Wax deep in the bowels of the church and at times outside singing away at the top of his lungs!

The storytelling was also in top form.  My little Molly enjoyed the story about 'Chuchumbe' with the translation of "belly button" although the figurative translation was totally and thankfully missed on her.  Perhaps the funniest moment was Suz's inquiry to just where in the world they really were, with the explanation of "Ewing, like Patrick" being totally lost on the (potentially too young to be aware of Patrick Ewing) songstress!

David Wax Museum with Guests Pearl and the Beard - FRANK JACOBS PHOTOGRAPHY

David Wax Museum - Concert At the Crossing Set List with Respective Album
1.  That's Not True                           - Everything Is Saved
2.  Beatrice                                       - Carpenter Bird
3.  Chuchumbe                                  - Everything Is Saved
4.  Look What You've Done To Me - Everything Is Saved
5.  Beekeeper                                   - Carpenter Bird
6.  Leopard                                       NEW SONG
7.  Colas                                           - Carpenter Bird
8.  Rosamar                                       - I Turned off Thinking About
9.  Turn This Love Around                  NEW SONG
10. Let Me Rest                                - Carpenter Bird
11. Carpenter Bird                             - Carpenter Bird
12. The Persimmon Tree                    - Carpenter Bird
13. Yes, Maria, Yes                          - Everything Is Saved
14. Unfruitful                                      - Everything Is Saved
15. Born With a Broken Heart           - Everything Is Saved
ENCORE
16. When You Are Still                       - Carpenter Bird

David Wax and Suz Slezak performing the encore

 ALL PHOTOS BY FRANK JACOBS PHOTOGRAPHY

OPENERS PEARL AND THE BEARD

FRANK JACOBS PHOTOGRAPHY

I only discovered Pearl and the Beard, less than two weeks prior to the show. The opener was fortunately listed on the Facebook event page for the David Wax Museum show. I first found ‘Sweetness’ via a Spinner.com MP3 of the day! I also found and absolutely love ‘Oh Death’ and ‘Lost In Singapore’. Armed with only a few songs I discovered on the net, I was hooked but really had no idea what to expect from a full show.

The band totally impressed, filling the Concerts at the Crossing venue with harmonious sound. Selections included songs from new album Killing the Darlings, previous album God Bless Your Weary Soul, Amanda Richardson, new songs ‘James’ and ‘Devils Hand Down’ and a partial cover, ‘Apple’ originally by Emily Hope Price and Lady Lamb the Beekeeper.

Suz Slezak joining Pearl and the Beard 

The mood was light and open throughout.  Emily admitted she was "trepidatious" about ‘Vessel’ being the second song of the night, as it is normally an end of set song. However, it was a fabulous way to toss you right into the Pearl and the Beard experience. Playing for David Wax Museum, they borrowed the David Wax style of going out into the crowd, including taking Suz Slezak and her Donkey Jaw bone throughout the venue for ‘Douglas Douglas.


The sounds ranged from a stripped singer/songwriter feel on ‘Prodigal Daughter’ to rousing ‘Hot Volcano’. My favorite part was Emily’s fantastic Cello playing, especially the pronounced strumming, on ‘Vessel'. My daughter’s favorite was ‘Hot Volcano' with the sultry Emily on cello and vocals and silly Jocelyn on Kazoo!


Pearl and the Beard - Concert At the Crossing Set List with Respective Album

1. Prodigal Daughter                          - Killing the Darlings
2. Vessel                                           - God Bless Your Weary Soul, Amanda Richardson
3. Devils Hand Down                        -  new song
4. The Lament of Coronado Brown   -  Killing the Darlings
5. Douglas Douglass                          -  Killing the Darlings
6. ‘James’                                         -  New track!!
7. ‘Reverend’                                    - Killing the Darlings
8. ‘Hot Volcano’                               - Killing the Darlings

**********Encore **************
9. ‘Apple’                       Originally by Emily Hope Price and Lady Lamb the Beekeeper

I don't think I was alone in being new to the band. at the same time, it was a testament to the crowd & venue that the opener received an encore! Communicating with the band, they were thrilled and wanted to be clear “how honored we were to receive an encore for an opening slot supporting the incredible David Wax Museum!”

I am excited to go see Pearl and the Beard soon, coming December 3rd to Wilmington, Delaware at the new World Cafe Live location.  Likewise, I can't wait to hear my brother-in-law's report about the David Wax Museum Boston show @ Arlington Street Church w/ Spirit Family Reunion, for their second to last show of the year!


Special thanks to Frank Jacobs Photography for show photos!
For more, info check out FrankJacobsPhoto.com


Check out the preview of Pearl and the Beard ‘Devils Hand Down’ by 1Take TV that they recorded in London: