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DAVE ALVIN & THE GUILTY ONES IN CONCERT:
From his days with legendary LA underground bands like The Blasters and X to his current status as an acclaimed bluesman, Dave Alvin has remained a guitar powerhouse known for his impressive mix of technique and style. In 2014 Dave and his brother Phil released the album Common Ground: Dave Alvin + Phil Alvin Play and Sing the Songs of Big Bill Broonzy. It was their first album together in 30 years since playing with The Blasters, and it was worth the wait -- the New Yorker said "the brothers shine" and the record received a Grammy nomination for Best Blues Album. They added to the buzz by hitting the road for a tour with their backing band The Guilty Ones, delivering red-hot performances that proved they're at the height of their powers. Dave Alvin continues to deliver rollicking performances every time he takes the stage, and he never fails to impress ticket buyers with his soulful voice and virtuosic guitar playing.
BACKGROUND SNAPSHOT:
Dave Alvin was born and raised in Southern California, where he immersed himself in the region's rockabilly scene from an early age. In 1979 he and his brother Phil formed The Blasters, a seminal blues punk band that led Alvin's involvement with a variety of prominent LA bands including X, The Gun Club, and The Flesh Eaters. Following his departure from X in 1987 he made his solo debut with the album Romeo's Escape, a critically acclaimed record that sent him out for extensive touring. Alvin continued to release well-received albums throughout the '90s and '00s, prompting Rolling Stone Magazine to call him "an under-recognized guitar hero" in 2011. In 2014 Alvin returned to the studio with his brother Phil for the first time in more than 30 years to record Common Ground, a stellar collection of covers from blues legend Big Bill Broonzy that earned the pair a Grammy nomination and brought them out on the road for a highly anticipated tour.
We saw Dave Alvin and the Guilty Ones last Friday night. It was a tremendous show. Dave and his band were in fine form, as always. It's clear these musicians love what they're doing, because no matter where or when you see them, you always get big bang for your buck. Great songbook, great delivery, big fun! Bill Kirchen and Too Much Fun opened with a fantastic set of rockabilly music!
Bill Kirchen is dubbed the Titan of the Telecaster. It is true. BIll's rendition of Hot Rod Lincoln is not to be missed in its fine gutair playing coupled with fun, funny, witty commentary. The band Too Much Fun,with only three members, filled the house with sound. That said-Dave Alvin and The Guilty One's upped their game to match Bill. It was amazing to watch Alvin play his electric gutair with depth and feeling. It was almost a like observing a private jam between friendly rivals. The encore paid homage to Chris Gaffney when they played The Gardens and Marie Marie brought the house down. That said I would have enjoyed more ballads from Dave Alvin.
You start the show with Bill Kirchen & Too Much Fun. The Master of the Telecaster with a long storied history in music. If you like Rockabilly, Country and Roots Rock this is one show you do not want to miss! Then you catch your breath and Dave Alvin steps up to the plate. I have seen him before and followed his career. I love his in your face style and storytelling ability. His voice is a gravelly baritone. His Stratocaster is loud and brash and then soft and mellow. His delivery is superb and his band is incredible ! The thing I find most appealing about Dave is the fact he makes making music look easy and very fun. His smile is contagious! You can count on me being at any show these two artists play in the Washington Metropolitan area.
I'd never been to The Sinclair. It's a nice, well laid out spot for a rock show. I've seen Dave Alvin six or seven times now, and will catch him every chance I get. The Guilty Ones are probably the most solid, talented, and righteous backing band I've ever seen. They're all stars in their own right, but I love Lisa Pankratz on drums- powerful, soulful, and clearly having fun up there. And to see Phil playing out with Dave is something I never thought I'd see. They played stuff from every phase of their careers- Blasters, solo Phil, solo Dave, covers, and more. Just mindblowing.
I mostly missed The Blasters but later became a big fan of Dave Alvin. I go to his shows whenever he hits the Boston area. Before Saturday night, I had never seen Phil before and I was extremely excited about this opportunity to see the Alvin brothers play together. I was not disappointed. Their covers of Big Bill Broonzy songs were terrific as were the old Blasters tunes that they rolled out. Phil's voice is still amazing and he plays a mean harp as well. Dave had his fair share of his folksy vocals that I love but he also had the opportunity to crank out some smoking guitar work when Phil sang lead. The Sinclair is a perfect venue for an up close and personal music experience delivered by old friends.
See these guys while you can. Phil is an amazing vocalist, he can still do it. As good as Dave is, (and he is good), Phil was the real treat. Tremendous band, watching the drummer watch Dave was fascinating.
There is not a better show out there today. To see Phil and Dave Alvin live is a must. The Guilty Ones are a top notch band themselves. Weather playing the songs of Big Bill Broonzy or blasting into a Blaster's song its just a great night of music. I will see them anytime they are within 200 miles of me.
Transforming from a previously contentious relationship to the current love fest, the Alvin Brothers brought their love for the music and each other front and center. The talent of the two Alvins and their stellar backing band was on full display. Nice selection of material from their new album as well as tunes from the Blasters, their solo careers and choice covers.
Great show. Phil has such an amazing voice and Dave guitar, what a sound. Nice band backing them up. They have a vast knowledge of music from Rockabilly to Blues and country.
Phil or Dave, what's up is they're rocking again, together. The voices bring you back to the Blasters show you never got to see. The Guilty Ones bring you back to other eras and incarnations of Dave's guilty parties and associates. Every player is off-the-charts excellent, and the pieces fit as tightly and seamless as the glass on a smartphone. They're loud, they're proud, they're real. They've been down ten thousand miles of hard road, and still have no problem rocking well beyond the hour that most of their chronological peers call bed time. While appearing somewhat less colorful and seasoned, Far West was a good choice for the shared bill, and proof that sound and spirit lives on in a younger generation.
