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Best known by the moniker Iron & Wine, Samuel Beam's stunning acoustic guitar and quiet voice once again made waves with the release of Ghost on Ghost, his fifth studio album. This largely experimental record delves into the supposedly disparate worlds of pop, R&B and jazz, meanwhile proving the singer's impressive versatility. The accompanying tour schedule included several appearances throughout the United States, as well as a handful in Australia. As usual, Iron & Wine showed no problems selling tickets, with fans anxious to experience both new singles and classic tracks. Ghost on Ghost came as a welcome followup to Kiss Each Other Clean, which similarly represented a departure from Beam's typical acoustic style.
Beam's musical endeavors as Iron & Wine began in 2002, when he released his first album, The Creek Drank The Cradle. This entire collection was recorded in Beam's home studio and mainly featured vocals, acoustic guitar, slide guitar and the banjo. Iron & Wine later followed up with Our Endless Numbered Days, which was recorded in a professional studio. Later albums included 2007's The Shepherd's Dog and the 2011 release Kiss Each Other Clean, which peaked at No. 6 on the Billboard 200 charts. Following the release of these later albums, Beam took part in multiple concert series, showing off a live voice that was just as gentle as what fans had heard on their favorite Iron & Wine albums. Although a handful of different instruments are incorporated into the Ghost on Ghost promotional tour in hopes of better reflecting Beam's journey into jazz and pop, the same poignant feel of this brilliant musician's tracks is always maintained for the sake of dedicated listeners.
The jazz riffs going off into what sounded like movie score for an acid trip scene went on far too long. They were just noises, not even music. On the other hand the solo encore was incredible!
While I love Iron and Wine, this wasn't their typical show or showing. While some enjoyed their transition into new age sound, I stood their after a long day of work, wishing that they would just play their old tunes in their original fashion.
Don't go to this concert if you expect to see Sam Beam sitting on a stool with a guitar whispering slow quiet lyrics. Iron & Wine came out with at least 10 people on stage including two percussionists and three woodwind/brass players. Sam himself looked more like a Vegas show performer than a folk singer. Make no mistake, the band was incredibly talented. Very precise and interesting arrangements of classic (and new) Iron & Wine tunes. Still, there was often so little tie to the original song that it felt like you were listening to the smooth jazz/big band cover. And while you could somewhat enjoy the show once you accepted the fact that you weren't going to see I & W as you hoped, there was a definite lack of chemistry among the performers. It felt like Sam rearranged his old songs out of boredom and then hired 9 other random people to help out. The opener The Low Anthem was the highlight of the night with tight harmonies, high energy, and great execution of songs off their new album. I can't recommend these guys enough.
Absolutley AMAZING !! An over all wonderful show...
The show was amazing, incredible, breathtaking, perfect, and any other word I didn't write. PERFECT PERFECT AMAZING SHOW!! The Low Anthem is amazing. One of my new favorite band. Sam Beam showed me why I love him SOOO MUCH!!! Marketa Irglova was a backup singer (from Once and the band The Swell Season) which was a super surprise! I LOVE HER!!! SO AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!
Amazing show! Every song was done in a different way than the album but in a good way. Would definitely go again.
Iron & Wine were amazing! So much better live than on cd. Just incredible!
IT WAS PURE MAGIC FROM BEGINNING TO END! Sam Beam was so freaking awesome, I had to pinch myself a few times. To sum it up, I want to see Iron & Wine as many times as I can before I die or Sam Beam retires... hopefully neither happens anytime soon.
I have been an Iron and Wine fan since around 2004-2005, and have wanted to see Sam Beam live since then. While he is still a great musician, now surrounded by great musicians, I didn't really enjoy the show as much as I thought I would. I think Sam Beam's songwriting and voice would be better showcased by a return to his pared-down simple accompaniments, and if he lost a lot of the "jazzy" stuff surrounding his music now. The venue, as always was good. I will say, I thoroughly enjoyed the opening band The Low Anthem, had checked them out prior to the show, knowing that they were opening, and they did not disappoint, they were amazing. I honestly enjoyed them more than Iron and Wine.
Self-indulgent jam was not exactly what I expected when I bought the ticket. Also never heard so much chatter and conversational din during an concert before in my entire life. Not to mention the crowd screaming every time the music got a bit quieter. Eh, wasn't the greatest, but it was pretty good.
Love the band anyway, but was (pleasantly) surprised that the show wasn't uber-mellow. Lots of jamming - their horn section rocks. Plus picked out Rosie Thomas singing background vocals which was a nice surprise. Love her, too! Sam Beam's got CRAZY swagger, and the talent in that group is ca-raaazy.
Disappointing...Although they sounded good, the fact that "Trapeze Swinger" was not sung in a town where he went to school was disappointing. Not to mention, I feel it is one of his defining songs that got him and the band to the position of anyone caring about attending a concert.
Sounds even better live. The National is a beautiful venue. Wish he would've played Trapeze Swinger.
Iron & Wine isn't normally someone you would think about seeing in concert (Sleepy-time music? C'mon) But I absolutely loved it. Most of his songs were from the new cd Kiss Each Other Clean and were electric which I'm still trying to get used to. Anyway - awesome show!
Iron & Wine was an amazing show, he is incredible live. The National was a great venue to see him at!
LOVE Iron & Wine, but was also very impressed with The Low Anthem--had never seen them before!
Amazing show! Sam was fantastic, as usual. It was great to see him perform with all of the other musicians with support from multiple instruments and vocals. Great!! The Low Anthem, however, left something to be desired. I appreciated their music and the talent that resounds in their music. However, it was not the type of music you want to hear at a concert where you are standing. They would be more appropriate for a festival or a small dinner show.
I saw Iron & Wine a few years back, and what I experienced was one of the best shows I've ever attended. It was stripped down, more acoustically focused, and in that way was a lot truer to the tunes that made people listen to Sam Beam in the first place. What I saw Wednesday night in Richmond @ The National was a conversion to what sounded most of the time like sleazy jazz club lounge music, tempered with a pseudo-calypso flair. Reworking of older songs to the point where they were barely recognizable, horrible vocal sound (couldn't distinguish any of Sam's outstanding lyrics above the 11 people on stage and the bored, talkative crowd), and an overall growing anticipation for the end of the concert led to an experience that will cause me to NEVER attend another Iron & Wine concert. Sorry Sam, but it looks like I'm going to be sticking to the old albums.
Great concert but Iron & WIne background singers sang over Sam Beam most of the time. I didn't go to hear them sing!
Sam Beam is an awesome performer, he's got a great sense of humor and makes the entire show a delight, his back up band added some flavor and variety, most of his songs he played didn't sound exactly like the originals each had it's own live sound and feel so it made for a lot of spontaneity, if I was in a 300 mile radius of an Iron & Wine show I don't think there's much I wouldn't do to make sure I'm there.
