In early December at World Cafe Live, I did something I hadn't done in quite some time. I went to see a band, just based on a recommendation. I had heard about the Barr Brothers several times in the last year via a long time friend. He's a tour manager and he's criss-crossed the country several times in the last few years, getting to meet, hear & see numerous bands.
'Beggar in the Morning' by Barr Brothers Beggar In The Morning by TheBarrBrothers
The Barr Brothers were on his list of must see live bands, calling them one of his favorites. Out of all the other bands he's come across in the last few years, the only other bands I recall him wholly endorsing has been the David Wax Museum and The Carolina Chocolate Drops since he was dead on with those recommendation, I knew I needed to listen.
Lately, the Barr Brothers have started to gain some notice performing on David Letterman, as well as in the studio at KEXP.
the Barr Brothers performing 'Beggar in the Morning' on David Letterman 1/5/2012
NOTE: Notice at the end of the performance, Dave is clearly taken with the Band taking time to applaud their work "Beautiful, Garsh that was nice", rather than the normal handshakes and get the hell off stage!
Set List - the Barr Brothers at World Cafe Live December 9, 2011
Track & Original Album
1. Beggar in the Morning - Barr Brothers
2. Old Mythologies - Barr Brothers
3. Kisses From Chelsea
4. Deacon's Son - Barr Brothers
5. Ooh, Belle - Barr Brothers
6. The Devil's Harp - Barr Brothers
7. Sarah Through the Wall
8. Give The Devil Back His Heart - Barr Brothers
9. Even The Darkness Has
10. Please Let Me, Let It Go
11. If You Leave Me.
Encore
12. Don't Let It Bring You Down - NEIL YOUNG COVER
The Barr Brothers started off the night with the lead single 'Beggar in the Morning'. When asked about the band starting off with their most popular track and at the time the only track I knew. Brad admitted it was a great warm-up off track for his voice, and one in which they had great comfort. The scene was fantastic in the dark setting up the Upstairs @ World Cafe live. From my seat in the lounge I could see the train going by above 31st, while being sucked into the enjoyment of my first time watching the Barr Brothers play. The band made it quite easy to just get lost in the music. Andres Vial was nonchalant but continually rocked out. Andrew Barr every time I checked was playing with another different percussion instrument. Brad Barr was frequently displaying different guitar techniques, especially an old gypsy method of pulling a line attached to a guitar string, to achieve some cool distortion.
Note: check out the beginning of either video above to see this effect
On 'Deacon's Son' there was some synchronicity between the guitar & harp, then Sarah Page started some vivid harp playing, stretching beyond the expected, with style and method of the likes I would have never even expected possible. The crowd was totally drawn in to see what the band might pull off next.
On 'Ooh, Belle' Jocie Adams joined the Barr Brothers with her clarinet, starting a stream of players joining in with the band. Mike Irwin was unleashed on his trumpet, releasing a raucous solo, showing off his talents on 'The Devil's Harp'. By this half way point of the set, I'm already excited to see how the live show translates back to the album, just biding my time until I can hit the merch table to grab the September release.
A broken string led to a story time period. Brad told of visiting the "Plateau" of Montreal, and how the Barr Brothers came to be. He learned a song Sarah had been working on the other side of a wall the two shared with their separate apartments. As the story goes, Brad had her tune stuck in his head and he learned it on guitar. He promptly introduced himself and played the tune to Sarah. Either she didn't recognize it and/or was not impressed, but since she did not take credit for the song, he decided he was going to. He created a whole tune with it and later went back to Sarah to re-introduce himself and 'Sarah Through The Wall'. Which of course lead to how they would play that song and be in a band together.
On 'Even The Darkness Has' Andrew Barr introduced yet another of his musical treasures, the "Manjo" created out of a shingle and a peanut dish, and even treated the crowd with a Manjo solo. The pinnacle of the show was the stellar Neil Young cover 'Don't Let It Bring You Down' including a terrific trumpet part by Mike Irwin and also featured Jocie Adams & Ken Woodward!
The Barr Brothers embark on a tour starting in February. For my Pittsburgh readers, I very very highly recommend getting tickets at Mr. Smalls with the Barr Brothers opening for Blind Pilot. For anyone else south, this is the farthest south this Montreal band is making it so far this winter!
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