THE WOODSHED ORCHESTRA with DANI NASH and THE HEAVYWEIGHTS BRASS BAND at Hugh’s Room, Saturday, October 26. Rating: NNN
If the release party for The Woodshed Orchestra’s new album Buzz was under-attended (it was a non-Halloween event on a prime Halloween party night), it didn’t seem to phase the sprawling, smiling, joyful mini orchestra, nor stop them from doing their damnedest to get the crowd out of their seats and dancing and singing along with them.
Woodshed is known for putting on casual, spontaneous and fun shows, and Saturday night was no exception – bandleader and drummer Dave Clark referred to everyone in attendance as friends, and the group passed around sheet music, calling out song numbers rehearsal-style.
The laid-back vibe worked best when the members swapped solos onstage, and worst when the group wandered through the crowd, which felt a little unorganized this time (last time they played Hugh’s Room they started the show by marching together to the stage).
Whether it was prescience or coincidence, Clark spoke for a while about Lou Reed’s brush with death earlier this year (Reed died Sunday at the age of 71). It sure had the effect in retrospect of reminding us to celebrate together (with music) while we still can.
Clark is an incredibly joyful drummer, and he put those skills to use during Dani Nash’s set of mostly original country tunes (which also included her spot-on cover of Dynamite). Clark also provided doo-wop backup vocals with guitarist Paul Kolinsky (who also played in both bands) as Nash sang with characteristic confident ease and swagger – she sounded great.
Opening the night were Halloween-costumed The Heavyweights Brass Band, who were funky and loud – often too loud – would love to hear those guys unmiced.
