Back Door Slam @ Antone's...

Let's see if I can remember what I wrote the first time.....

I realize that this wasn't the original Antone's.....but the vibe is still there.....it's in the air.  You can smell it, taste it, feel it.  I'll admit it may have been the frame of mind I was in at that moment, but I like to think that the frame of mind I was in at that moment was the reason I felt in tune with the spirits there.  I'm serious.....it was pretty special.....

(No Jim, I didn't kiss the floor...Ilsa, the t-shirt lady, however, made a fine substitute...she's worked there for 20 years...)

Doors opened at 10, with not much of an initial crowd.  Davy, Adam, and Ross were walkin' around, just hangin' like everyone else.  Nobody seemed to realize who they were.....except me, of course!  We talked a little about their gigs, and they all made a point of saying how honored they were to not only have played with Joe, and at the ACL.....but at Antone's.  They felt the vibe, too.....

The room quickly filled to capacity, with a large number of young people.....20's I would guess.  That was nice to see.  I had a tough time finding many people that were familiar with BDS, though.....most were there to see Jakob Dylan.  That would change quickly.....

They did an absolutely inspired set.  I'm horrible with set lists.....I kinda get caught up in the atmosphere of a great show.....and THAT was a great show.  They did do "Riding with the King", which is a personal favorite of mine that they didn't do at the HOB.  But it was nice to see that they were comfortable enough to do mostly their own tunes.  I think their originals are every bit as good as their covers.....

They played for well over an hour, and then did a meet and greet.  Again, I was just in awe at how humble these young men are.  They just impress the h*ll outta me.  I see a lot of the same cloth that Joe is cut from.....incredible talent, but never losing the focus of humility to their fans.  Respect.....

Jakob Dylan, btw, did an acoustic set as the headliner.  The room quickly reduced in size by easily half.  I like Jakob Dylan.....a lot.  And he was good that night.  But there was no way he was gonna keep that room buzzin' with the energy that Back Door Slam filled it with.....no way in h*ll.....

I left and went up on 6th St......

And, if I may.....I'd like to comment on the rhythm section.  Let me start off by saying that there is no accounting for taste, and I would never begrudge someone's opinion.  There are countless reasons why two different people can hear the same thang, and yet hear something different.

But...

As a former drummer (not sure if "former" is the right word...I still slap the crap outta anything nearby when I hear a good tune...), I know a little about rhythm.  No expert, by any means, but still.....I know enough.  Ross Doyle is a good drummer.  He does what he's supposed to do, without being overpowering.  The same goes for Adam Jones on bass.  I'll cede the expert commentary of Adam to the expert.....Big Jeff Jones.....but I've seen the Big Man's opinion of Adam.  He's impressed.

A rhythm section should keep you movin' yer seat, and keepin' a beat.....and they did precisely that at the HOB show.  From where I sat (front row, right balcony...) I had a view of practically the whole theater.  And everyone was movin' to that rhythm section.  Everyone except those with their jaws on the floor.....

I also was able to see that everyone in the joint came to their feet when they finished the set.  A standing O at the Dallas House of Blues.  Not too shabby for 3 guys that are just startin' out.....