Concert Review, Blind Pilot @ Ram's Head Live Baltimore, Md. February 16th, 2012

Michael Nau of Cotton Jones : photo by Jeff Coon

Thursday night, Blind Pilot made their inaugural visit to Baltimore, coming to Rams Head Live!  Blind Pilot also had their first of several shows with Cumberland, Md. based Cotton Jones.   Having recently seeing them in November in Philadelphia @ Union Station, I was instantly ready to hop onto I-95 to head to Baltimore for their show.

Kati Claborn ; photo by Jeff Coon

Openers Cotton Jones clearly held their own.  They provided a light fun groove, which was the perfect opener for the soft spoken lead man Israel Nebeker.  While I wasn't familiar with the Cotton Jones tunes (if you aren't either.. well head to Daytrotter.com for some studio sessions), I had a fun time watching the band, chatting it up with my pal (yes I annoyed myself for talking during the set) watching the left handed bassist, and debating the pros and cons of the drummer's mustache!

Ian Krist ; photo by Jeff Coon

Both sets started late, but the turn over between was quick.  The break gave us plenty of time to soak in the Rams Head Live surroundings.   The relatively new venue (opened in 2004), was well laid out.  It can be small and intimate, but also has large balconies if the crowd necessitates it.  During set up, I was excited to figure out, based on the band stage layout we'd be right in front of Kati Claborn.  The multi-instrumentalist had her six instruments laid out for easy access.   During the show, she changes instruments throughout the set, depending on the song needs, leaving you to witness one of the most versatile multi-instrumentalists touring these days!  Don't get me wrong, the rest of the band are no slouches with their instrument skills either.  For instance, Luke Ydstie switches between upright and electric bass (this particular female heavy Baltimore crowd loved cheering him on with his red electric bass) and Dave Jorgensen switches between organs and the trumpet many times mid-song!

Mountain Dulcimers :photo by Jeff Coon

Kati Claborn equip ; photo by Jeff Coon

Israel Nebeker

Set List - Rams Head Live - Baltimore 2-16-12
1.   'Keep You Right'        
2.   'Two Towns From Me' 
3.   'Go On Say It'    
4.   'Oviedo'               
5.    'Story I Heard'    
6.    'The Colored Night'    
7.    'Just One'                   
8.    'Paint Or Pollen' 
9.   'Half Moon'               
10. 'I know'                        
11.  'Buried A Bone'
12.  'Always'                     
13.  'New York'                   
14.  'One Red Thread'
15.   'We Are The Tide'      
ENCORE
16.  'The Bitter End'    
17.  'Get It Out'
18.  '3 Rounds And A Sound'

Once the band was in place and the music started we got our first glimpses of the band.  Israel was rocking the mustache, Kati a deer dress, and Dave 'n Luke were as happy as ever!(see video to the right, during 'Story I Heard' but if you want to see real energy see the video from 'Get It Out' near the bottom of the page)  The show was really outstanding.  My review is a mostly visual one, as was the show.  My concert buddy Jeff followed my cues of cool things to pick up on and he snapped away (please enjoy the pictures added throughout).  Also, Israel was limited on the stories throughout, although we did get a few tidbits from the "Book of Luke"

Ryan Dobrowski on drums

Being right against the stage I really had a chance to just observe and soak everything in.  The sound was as crisp and tight as ever.  Our spot was even better once the music started, we noticed the pre-mic'd joy of hearing Kati's banjos & Ian Krist's vibraphone direct from the instruments.  You can tell the band just really enjoys playing with each other.  Likewise the parts are just so well done on each song.  It's not just Israel & Ryan's band with their friends playing.  All six of the band play integral parts down to Ian Krist's supplemental drumming, or Dave Jorgensen switching between the organs and trumpet.   And no sound is by accident, as each part is integral to the songs. Whether it be Ryan Dobrowski's snapping snare hits on 'Go On Say It' or Ian's lovely vibraphone part on 'Oviedo', each part was important.

Luke Ydstie

The band also showed off their versatility.  On 'Half Moon' there was a great combo with Luke using the bow on his upright bass, Dave on the organ and trumpet and Ian vibraphone.  On the very next song, it might as well have been a complete lineup change, as Luke swapped for his red electric bass, Kati strapped on a guitar, Ian switch to the shaker, and Dave grooved on the Hammond B.  Even Israel gets in on it working the pump organ on 'New York'

Israel Nebeker

ALL PHOTOS BY JEFF COON

Israel Nebeker

Luke Ydstie & Israel Nebeker

The band also found new ways to keep things fresh.  On 'Always' Israel was working on some distortion with his amp, then Luke's bass.  There was a fun intro with the pump organ and vibraphone for 'One Red Thread'


 

Blind Pilot @ Rams Head Live

Of course, there was their standard awesomeness such as my favorite trumpet part by Dave on 'I Buried a Bone' or Luke's bass on 'Always'.  And you can't forget the finale worthy rowdiness of 'We Are the Tide' with Kati helping Dave out on Drums (see pictures above & below) 

Kati Claborn & Ryan Dobrowski

Although 'We Are The Tide' has been the encore song in the past, they didn't stop.  After a brief disappearance to back stage, Israel came back out.  He started a beautiful 'The Bitter End' before he was joined by the rest of the band.  A vibrant 'Get It Out followed, but not to be out done by their true finale.  On some recent shows, if the crowd has deemed themselves worthy, the band has been known to ask the crowd to be quiet for an acoustic number.  In Philly in November it was Israel doing a solo 'Just One'  For Baltimore, the whole band dropped down into the crowd and played an acoustic '3 Rounds and A Sound'


Do yourself a favor and catch these guys while it's still small and intimate.  These shows aren't going to stay smaller for long.  The upcoming tour with the Shins or possibly the Sasquatch or Bonnaroo festival appearances should bring a lot of attention their way.  Although a little on the excessive side, I'd surely like to see them when they come back through to Philly (Wilmington, Delaware actually) in June.