Needs more jazz
There is a scene in an old episode of The Simpsons where Homer drinks a bottle of “Red Tick” beer, and wonders what are the ingredients. The answer, as we were flashed to the Red Tick factory, is a bunch of dogs swimming in a vat of beer. The technician tries it, and says “it needs more dog.”
Well, that all was a setup for a saying I had about The Horse’s Ha and their set at the Cowboy Monkey on Saturday: it needs more jazz (and was it really worth it?). The Chicago-based acoustic quintet really stood out as something special when they combined their folky sound with a jazzy style. That blend was the only thing they were able to do to cut through the noisy, uninterested crowd, as their music built to a roar instead of a whimper.
The band’s new album, Of the Cathmawr Yards, really focuses on the harmonies of Janet Bean and guitarist/vocalist Jim Elkington. And while those harmonies were still the focus live, they lost something that made them sound great on record. Maybe it was due to sound issues (of which they had some) or just a bad crowd (they were constantly fighting for attention), but their vocals lost the delicate beauty when they instead went for power. They weren’t powerful enough, though.
Despite their issues, their secret weapon was Elkington (pictured far left), and even though half the songs were sung by him, he sat facing away from the crowd. Maybe he is self-conscious, or maybe he likes leading the band, but he is a great guitarist, melding different styles into a unique way of playing that gives The Horse’s Ha a sound they can call their own.
And they made it their own when they tried the jazz. That’s when they really tried something new. There are plenty of folk bands out there, but ones that incorporate improvisation and riding a groove? There aren’t any, and The Horse’s Ha needs to corner the market while they still can.
Common Loon followed, and while most of the crowd came for The Horse’s Ha, the band played a strong set. While their music can get a bit precious at times, they can display a lot of power when they try.
The band works well when they rock out or write simple pop songs. If they decide to turn up the reverb and get lost in the sound, they go nowhere. Luckily there was more of the former, and let’s hope their new album (which they said is ready) shows this side of them.
Their set ended with a cover of Madonna’s “True Blue” that sounded like the prom song from the 1950s that I never got to experience because, well, I was born in 1986. It was touching though, bringing emotions out of the song I didn’t know were there.
Opener Angie Heaton was nothing to write home about. I have seen her folky, Lillith Fair-esque music live before, and I wasn’t impressed then. This time was a little bit better, but not by much. I get bored quickly by hearing only three chords with a mid-tempo strumming pattern.
There is emotion in there, that’s for sure, but they were heard best in her well-chosen covers. Otherwise, nothing really sticks out as anything great. As paraphrased from The Simpsons, “it needs more ‘oomph.’”
Photos by Eric Heisig
9 comments
“Their set ended with a cover of Madonna’s “True Blue” that sounded like the prom song from the 1950s that I never got to experience because, well, I was born in 1986.“
Maybe it’s a typo, but Madonna songs would have been being played at proms in the 1980s. Not the 1950s.
It’s not a typo. He’s saying that they made Madonna’s song from the 80s sound like it was from the 50s.
I get it now. Thanks.
John Hoeffleur
Eric, I look forward to hearing you perform your music.
Jim Kelly
Starting a review of this show with a Simpsons reference…priceless.
You’re entitled to your opinion, of course, but I can’t help getting a bit defensive of Angie. I enjoy watching Angie mainly because of her honest and clever lyrics, and seeing her play with her band is great fun. If you don’t like her solo “Lilith Fair-esque” sound (whatever that means) then check out the full band show. I bet they could overpower the fools jabbering in the back of the house. ;-)
Jim Kelly
That squirrel looks ticked.
See, I love Angie Heaton. That’s a fact. And Let it Ride, The Rumor Mill, etc. — man, these albums have helped define my decade. Plus, she personally gave me a piece of advice one year that simply changed me. So, I disagree with this review of her performance. I loved it.
But Eric is entitled to his opinion, you know? I, for one, would welcome a little more criticism in this little “scene” of ours, whether positive or negative. Of myself, as well, please.
As for you, Hoeffleur: I look forward to hearing you play music, too.
I think it’s a mistake for Angie to ever perform without Kurt, Charlie or me trilling back-ups on Pleiades.
Another thing that has always bugged me about Angie is that “Polly” is no shorter than “Carrie.“
I thoroughly agree with Eric’s general criticism about three chords, strumming, and mid-tempo arrangements. To the list I’ll add 4/4 time, verse-chorus structures, and convention generally. This criticism applies to any person who performs music.
It’s a good reason to abhor the blues.
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Big Blue will actually be on 6-9, despite what is posted elsewhere. Then, hightail it over to Bentley’s!
Ahh - good point - I will plug them in the appropriate sections.
Yeeee! This sounds so fun! Any word on covers for any/all of these? Maybe SP could spring for punch cards and some discounts if we make it to all, eh?
...and given the lack of smiley emoticons i chose to employ, that reads far more sarcastically than i ever intended (my apologies). i actually find this to be a great article and an interesting discussion, seriously : )
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bhrama- thanks for the promo. it is true, crane and badger will be playing on friday at mike and mollys w/ the chemicals and tractor kings. we will be playing first. show starts at 10pm. come on out. rock will be had.
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I was all set to pounce on this, but it’s the truth. There used to be bands in town I was afraid of, like I’d have a heart attack during their set. There are still some great bands, but they’re pretty and dainty and low in cholesterol. …