Blues Traveler Lays Down The Deep Tracks in Saint Louis Performance

 

–by Randy Thompson

–photos by Laura Tucker

 

 

It was Blues night at the St Louis Music Park Friday. Despite being a far from sold-out show on a hot, muggy, St Louis night, there were still many fervent admirers of the blues genre on the scene ready to rock in west Saint Louis, Missouri.

Opening the show was an immensely talented, award-winning saxophonist, Vanessa Collier. She just released her fourth crowd sourced album, Do It My Own Way.  She and her band played a simple set of straightforward Blues songs, and it felt like we were sitting in our favorite smoky, down home music club. Her set had an intimate feel to it and she has a genuine, natural way of connecting to the audience. Her riveting saxophone style was sometimes down and dirty and other times, pure, upbeat, and rising to the rafters.

Her song “Icarus” reflected the latter style well. Vanessa is an extremely talented performer with a soulful, heartfelt voice that she could take to a gritty, growling level at times as when she sang “Sweatin’ Like a Pig, Singin’ like an Angel”, which she felt summed up the St. Louis experience accurately.  She is supported by a solid group of musicians who were able to keep up with her soulful yet sassy southern voice.  With Vanessa on saxophone guitarist Mike Shumer riffed off one another throughout the set, while Scot Sutherland on bass and Byron Cage on drums kept the rhythm steady.  They kept the blues/soul sensibility going their entire time on stage and it was the perfect way to get into the mood for Blues Traveler to take the stage.

The headliner, Blues Traveler, was an authentic blues/rock jam band that has been around for several decades. They are fronted by John Popper, who not only has a magnificent singing voice, but is a harmonica virtuoso. For those in the audience who came to see Blues Traveler play all of their radio hits, it was probably a disappointment, but for others of us, who are longtime fans, we were treated to dusted off classics from the band.  There was a mix of hits, blues standards, and riveting jams that would go on in a psychedelic whirlwind taking the audience into space.

Blues Traveler has played together with few lineup changes for a very long time, and they passionately play their music from the heart. We were treated to perfectly executed, true rock and roll Roots music. Many of the songs were from FOUR to celebrate the 30-year anniversary of the album that sent them into super stardom. They were one of the pioneers of the jam band era in the early 90s, and they haven’t lost a step.

John Popper’s voice has a huge range, and goes from a delicate beauty to a growling, gritty Blues level at will.  His voice retains its original intensity as does his harmonica playing.  We watched in wonder from “Run Around” to “Brother John” as Popper switched back and forth between belting out lyrics and playing riveting harmonica.  Band members Chan Kinchla with his searing guitar, and Tad Kinkchla with driving bass, hold up their end magnificently, while Ben Wilson on keyboard and Brendan Hill on drums pull it together and keep it in motion.

 

Blues Traveler knows what their strengths are and plays to them in every sense. While there is no dazzling stage set, no flashing images and no bouncing beach balls, there are a lot of strong, traditional blues jams from the time they walk on stage until they leave. This is a straightforward band that throws everything they have at you. It was a very tight set all the way through, and while some left early, their true friends stayed and enjoyed every sizzling moment of the concert.

 

Vanessa Collier Setlist:

 

The Run Around

Do It My Own Way

Should Known Better

Why Don’t You Love Me Like You Used To Do

Just One More

Icarus

Sweatin’ Like a Pig, Singin’ Like an Angel

I Can’t Stand the Rain (Ann Peebles cover)

 

Blues Traveler Setlist:

 

Run Around

Things Are Looking Up

Price to Pay

Freedom

Guitar Solo

You Don’t Have To Love Me

Trust in Trust

But Anyway

Hot for Teacher (Van Halen cover)

Funky Bitch (Son Seals cover)

Look Around (with Vanessa Collier)

Brother John

Bass solo

Keyboard solo

Drum solo

Hook

Mary Jane’s Last Dance (Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers cover)