By: Andrea Myers
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Jonathan Earl - Photo by David de Young (click for set)
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I first became enamored with Jonathan Earl when I spied him soloing over a Stook song at the Terminal Bar a few months back. With the full-blown Stook and the Jukes band, Earl only had a few chances to show off his blues guitar prowess, but it was clear that he had technical skills and stage presence in spades. It was exciting, then, to receive a copy of Earl’s album, and my anticipation toward seeing him play a solo show only grew when I sat down to interview him a few weeks ago.
It helps, of course, that Earl’s band is made up of some of the finest and busiest musicians in town. Ben Foote (Little Man, JoAnna James, Brokenheart Jones, among others) plays bass, Jordan Carlson (who wouldn’t openly admit how many bands he’s actively playing with but estimated 11, including Les Exodus, Said Method and Soul Tight Committee) keeps time and the talented Toby Lee Marshall (Paul Mayasich and the Benderheads, Heise Bros.) solos masterfully on his giant wooden B3 organ. The four musicians together create a sound so tight and effortlessly synchronized that it’s as if they are carrying on a conversation more than they are playing instruments together. And it’s a damn interesting conversation, at that.
The first set at Bunker’s started out with the first track, “Overrated,” off Earl’s debut album. The funky, poppy blues song got the audience up out of their chairs and dancing on the black and white tiled floor in front of the stage, and it was impressive to see so much energy spring out of a group of people so spontaneously. And the dancers weren’t just shuffling around casually – this was a group of people so excited about the music that they were bouncing around violently, clapping and screaming loudly in response to the solos. Either Earl paid 100 of his closest friends to come spew positive energy throughout the room, or the band has tapped into a pool of raw, natural talent that demands to be appreciated. Each member of the band played with an acute attentiveness and consideration for the other players, and it made for some captivating musical moments.
During “Something Must Be Right,” one of the slower and sweeter tracks on the album, Marshall eyed Earl and egged him on as he soloed, laying down backing chords and raising his eyebrows as he mouthed, “Talk to me, talk to me.” Once Earl finished Marshall picked up and flew away with his own sweeping organ solo, and the two complimented each other beautifully.
Other highlights from Earl’s set included a cover of the Black Crowes’ “Remedy,” which featured Earl perfectly mimicking Chris Robinson’s vocal stylings and scrunched up facial expressions; while “Chicken Wings” had half of the audience singing along to the chorus despite the fact that the track was previously unreleased.
Location Info:
Bunker's
Artist Info: Jonathan Earl
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