This was a Thanksgiving homecoming for sure, at Momo's. As many folks know, this is a band that got their start at Momo's, but the 3 guitar/songwriter leads were originally billed as 3 separate acts on a weekly basis on the same night. Their collaborative spirits started improvising on each other's works, bass was added, later drums, and a band was organically formed. Their first two albums were live recordings in Austin clubs, and they didn't even name themselves. They did have a name (The Good Time Supper Club), but "The Heathens" was a misprint that stuck. And the ball has been rolling for barely 5 years now..
The Band of Heathens are: Colin Brooks, Gordy Quist, Ed Jurdi-- all 3 on lead vocals and lead guitar (and sometimes switching things up with keys, harmonica, or lap steel)-- Seth Whitney on bass, John Chipman on drums, and now Trevor Nealon on organ (who normally plays with Wisebird).
They guys really are collaborators and improvisers. Every time I see them, they are grabbing a guest onto the stage, likely unrehearsed. The Band of Heathens is one part country, one part rock, one part soul, and five parts Austin. It's a testament to talent and authenticity when a significant portion of a band's crowd is older than the band member and the venue is enthusiastically full.
Colin, Gordy, and Ed regularly rotate the turns to sing-- when they aren't harmonizing. Their 3 voices are uniquely different-- from husky to clear and ringing to softly adaptable-- and comprise much of the textured personality of the Heathens' sound.
They opened with "LA County Blues", layering those 3 lead guitars as an immediate signature declaration. It's been awhile since I've seen the Heathens, and their years on the road-- their dedication to the live music experience-- really shows. "Golden Calf" was relaxed, smoky, and moody, but "Heart on My Sleeve" whipped us right back into the world of rock and roll. "Miss Ohio", a Gillian Welch cover, had Ed sit down on keys while Colin and Gordy revved up the guitar work.. this band really knows how to conjure the energy, and the climactic guitar 'jam' (for lack of a better word!) was proof.. John on drums was incredibly grounding during this moment, which was probably why Gordy turned around and played exclusively only to the drummer for the remainder of the piece.
"Somebody Tell the Truth" had an organ solo at the end from Trevor that started out innocent enough, but somehow roped all 5 others on stage into his domain. All band members were laughing by the end, because they all clearly caved to a musical moment they couldn't deny-- so fun to see! And soon the side of the stage became a revolving door-- guest after guest kept stepping up, some of whose names I don't know..
Other songs they played are "Jackson Station"-- with all 3 vocalists taking turn, and the slow roadhouse blues of "Second Line" (different from the studio version). A friend of theirs stepped up to play some guitar for my favorite of all Heathens' songs, one penned by Gordy Quist, "Judas 'Scariot Blues". This song is a lyrical gem, perfectly matched by the haunting and urgent mood of the music and vocal delivery. Judas Iscariot is the Biblical apostle who betrayed Jesus, ended up hanging himself (according to the book of Matthew-- there are different versions!), and this song is sung from Judas' perspective-- darkly, bitterly. The Band of Heathens' songs range from lighthearted to foreboding and worrisome.. and "Judas 'Scariot Blues" ranks extremely high in the murky part of my heart that needs fulfillment
Austin's Drew Smith-- another great songwriter/vocalist/guitarist who will get his own blog entry-- stepped up for a few songs, including his own "Silver Pictures" and played backup on the Heathen's smoky, soulful "Bumblebee".
Another friend stepped up to deliver "Odysseus"-- a hilarious cowboy adaptation of Homer's Odyssey, and then came the horns! 3-players-- on trumpet, trombone and saxophone-- stepped up to add the arrangements created by the John's brother, Chris Chipman. The Heathens always have a soulful, southern sound, but the horns really brought us all straight to New Orleans! They added to "Shine A Light" (not the Stones song) and the gravelly sass of "You're Gonna Miss Me"-- complete with harmonica and funky organ solo.
True to their Southern-American musical roots, and delivered with smoothly hones harmonies, the Heathens' encore was the traditional prison work song "Ain't No More Cane"-- a song covered by such artists as Leadbelly, Bob Dylan, Lyle Lovett, and the list goes on.
The Heathens tour pretty heavily for much of the year, so tonight was a great kickoff to the holiday season-- they even get to stay in Texas for a month or so. Lucky for all of us, their ball keeps on rolling.. !
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