Camp Counselor Nick Recaps Old Shoe and Ethereal Groove Inc.'s March 19 Hodi’s Performance

  They focused on rhythmic jams that featured some stellar guitar work from both Noe Perez and Devon Bates. They created interesting musical textures that defied genre. Elements of everything from funk to metal seemed to dribble into their progressive-heavy sound. They were definitely worth the trip, and I hope that despite the low audience numbers, that EGi. returns to Colorado. Old Shoe was unfazed by the lack of people. The band emerged from the darkness and proceeded to give us a huge set filled to the brim with classics and covers. They opened up with a beautiful original “Welcome Home.”

Set 1: Welcome Home, Oneida County, Freak Flag, Don’t Do It, Beer, Mouth of the Lion, Atlantic City, Loco Motive, Dustbowl, Day Rains Night, They Love Each Other, Wouldstock, Could You Be Loved, Star, Terrapin Station

Encore: Ellsworth, Kush

The cowfunk tune “Oneida County” was intense, but the “Freak Flag” was spiritual. Old Shoe has a real chemistry that is palpable to the audience. They know each other well from touring relentlessly for the last five years. The members of the group met in Chicago, but they are from every part of this expansive country. Old Show went into The Band’s “Don’t Do It” which featured some stellar harmonizing from the whole band.  “Beer” is a bluesy but poetic homage to one of my favorite pastimes.   A twang-heavy “Mouth of the Lion” preceded Day’s emergence from behind the keys with his mandolin. He sang us an exceptionally heartfelt rendition of Bruce Springsteen’s “Atlantic City” Day would stay up front for a series of acoustic and jamgrass numbers including “Loco Motive” and “Dust Bowl.” “Day Rains Nights” got spacey and featured some of the most intricate jamming of the night. Returning to their roots they went into The Grateful Dead’s “They Love Each Other.” Old Shoe continued with a classic “Wouldstock” before some sick reggae in the form of Marley’s “Could You Be Loved.” They ended the set with a picture perfect version of “Terrapin Station.” Old Shoe encored with Ellsworth into an appropriate “Kush.”   Many bands when faced with such a small audience would offer the bare minimum and get out as soon as possible. Old Shoe did the exact opposite. Even as the night wore on and people began to trickle out into the evening the band continued to play well and with enthusiasm. It’s obvious they were a victim of poor timing and no publicity. However a band of this caliber, which has traveled 900 miles to get here should have had a few more fans in the room. Old Shoe could have pretended this was a practice session, but they gave us a show to remember. The next time Old Shoe passes through town go check them out. You won’t be disappointed and maybe they won’t be either.]]>