Philzone.org - Philzone Phansite Community Discussion Board: Setlists and Reviews: Non GD Related Reviews: Archive: Poor Man's Whiskey - North Miss All Stars 2/3/07

It was a great weekend to be a music lover in SF, lots and lots of great choices.

In an odd overbooking, the SF Old Time & Bluegrass Festival opened the evening at 12 Galaxies for a death metal show. Needless to say, I was out the door when the death metal started to soundcheck.

Belle Monroe and her Brewglass boys were great, love their traditional sound. They do the one mic which is great, brings nice movement to the stage. They did stuff like Nellie Cane! And bit less traditional with stuff like Baby, Let Me Follow You Down, which was great. All the musicians (guit, mando, fiddle, banjo, bass and dobro) sounded great, the jams were tight and everyone enjoyed it.

Poor Man's Whiskey had the last bluegrass set--although it was far too short--the Festival definitely got the short end of the stick on this one--it would have been great if they had the whole night--the crowd certainly would have stayed!

Setlist: Going up to cripple creek, Morning Sunshine, Gone with a twist, one foot on the grave, Mexico (which might be my new favorite PMW song), Firing Line, and Whiskey in Heaven (with the pennywhistle!)

There were lots of great little moments--too bad the set was so short they couldn't stretch things out a bit more--they jams were great and it definitely left me wanting more. It was only 9:15!!

So decision time--a coin flip decided it was Zero at the Fillmore--oopps, not in time though, it was sold out. A quick phone call told us that there was bluegrass over at Ireland's 32, the Potrero HillBillies--sounded good and not sold out. Get there and no such luck, not a fiddle or banjo or even a mando in sight. So the decision was ultimately made to hit the Indy for the North Mississippi All-Stars. oooppps. That one was sold out too. Much thanks to Spacehed, the box office released one ticket and it was mine!! and my two friends both got miracled after I left them standing on the sidewalk!

As for the band--WOW!!! I thought I had seen them before and they were okay, hence the run around all night before making it here. But I definitely had them confused with someone else--all the music at festivals, hard to keep it all straight sometimes Had I known, the Indy would have been my destination all along, ticket in hand well in advance. I really loved what I heard.

I missed the first song but a little birdie told me they did Samson & Delilah They ended the set with Sharp Dressed Man? Oh yes, and it was a lot of fun.

The placed was quite full but there was still dancing room--the sound of the evening was diverse, the mood went from a sweet deep elem sound to the raw dirty southern feel but it never got far from the ass-shaking rock and roll blues.

North Mississippi All Stars are officially on my radar!

North Mississippi All Stars are officially on my radar!

Indeed...lurves me some NMAS, Emily.

I really thought they were someone else that was okay but not that great--good thing I was WRONG!! They played a great set on saturday!

yes em...the dickinson boys rip it up! i saw them with john hiatt last summer and that was quite a show too.

NMAS is one of the hardest rocking best jamming younger bands touring anywhere...these dudes play a ton of shows....caught a special acoustic-style one at mccabes guitar shop last year....Seen 'em about 6-8 times and never a dull show. Actually the '04 tour w/ Dirty Doz. is one of the best shows I've ever seen outta anyone....it was 4 hrs long!! Good deal, glad ya had fun!!

Love those Poor Whiskey Men! Looking forward to seeing them in Santa Rosa this Sat. And then onto Forestville for David Nelson Sunday!

Your absence was noticed and you were asked about...

Enjoy Dave...Gotta miss out, wedding on the east coast that day!

Sweet! I emailed them. Glad they got their show in, too bad about the booking problem. Never been to the Russian River Brew Pub, hope it's a nice venue and they get to play lots.

Will miss you in Forestville Emily. Enjoy your east coast event!

Yay for NMAS...Friday night was awesome too! Especially with Eric McFadden opening up. His Seattle Bass player was great and the drummer was wearing Pink bunny ears, is he like the energizer bunny or what?

Anyways the bass player started off the set with his electric upright, using a bow to create a droning single note loop with a fuzzy effect. He then proceeded to play over the loop. He was great. He kept switched from a melodic bowing technique to an aggressive slap when the songs permitted. And of course Eric Rocked out!!! They were an great compliment to the All-stars. The All-stars were smoking and the show was amazing!! Thanks to hedspace for helping out. I can't wait until they come back to town!