Brent Kirby / Jeff Harris Band (9/21/05)



What a coincidence that I am writing this entry about a show I saw at Wilberts in September, when I'm about to go there tonight for the second time (seeing David Mead & Jesse Payne).

Wilberts is a bar / restaurant over close to Jacob's Field. For me, this has always been the netherlands area for entertainment, since it is mostly sports bars making most of their money off the Indians games and hard-core sports jocks. Not that there is anything wrong with that, and even once in a while I can be seen enjoying myself in that scene (most often with my sports-crazed sister). None of their shows had really shown up on my radar before, and I can't quite remember what had caught my attention about this particular show. Regardless, Wilberts was a VERY PLEASANT surprise. It's basically a nice restaurant with a stage. I also found out that they are typcially known for thier blues music, and that the owner acts as a bartender and even makes all his own dressings by hand (except the French).

I sat at the bar and ate an amazing salmon dinner and chatted with the owner. He also recommend that I try a Sleeman's Cream Ale. I got the story on how it was banned from the US for importing beer during prohibition (you can get the whole story here)! It was a great beer. I had a couple.

So the show this night was free, and now I remember how I learned about it... I got a promotional email from Brent Kirby, and I had been getting them for some time. I couldn't remember for the life of me how he got my email address... it's not like I seen him before, so I was at a loss. But I liked some of the music I heard on his website and figured what the hell. I was most excited to see Mike Genovese who was on the bill for the night, but he had to cancel. First up was Brent. He was good, cute and bursting with confidence (yet still appreciative). I kinda got this 80's influenced John Mellencamp vibe from the music... but they were good. Had a couple of good covers as well. I wouldn't not see them again (aren't double negatives fun!)

I also saw the Jeff Harris Band from NYC. Jeff Harris was this kind of soft-spoken front-man to a band that reminded me of a nerdy version of Guster / Counting Crows (and I use nerdy to describe myself, so it's with the utmost respect). I picked up their "Lemon Yellow" album, as well as an EP of demos. The full album is a little weak, but the EP was quite promising. I will be anxious to hear what else these guys come out with. I would also highly recommend catching these guys live. At one point they brought up Brent Kirby to cover a version of Neil Young's "Ohio." You can get their entire set-list and photos from their show here.

Here's my favorite track from the Jeff Harris Band "I Told You So":

Posted: Thu - November 10, 2005 at 05:34 PM           |

©