The nearly sold out music shop in Santa Monica buzzed with anticipation for their first show of 2012. Angeleno Shaun Cromwell opened the bustling McCabe's back room with verve and vigor. His self-written, original set was filled with amazing hybrid folky songs. Opening with 'Little Back Bedroom' was a great choice because it thoroughly introduced you to Cromwell’s unique style of soulful-folk-heart piercing tunes that this guy can get out of an acoustic guitar and some lyrics. When bass and rhythm drums flesh his tunes out, like in the closer, 'Steeple Jack', they become even more impressive as a killer bluesy-folk tune. Cromwell, as an “opener” should really be headlining nationally before too long.
The darkened stage warmed as composer and folk musician Ernest Troost began the eagerly awaited celebration of his CD release party concert this early Friday evening. Ironically, the album was recorded last year at McCabe’s.
Opening with 'Resurrection Blues', Troost set the stage for an evening of heavy folk tunes which take you back to the Newport Folk Fest before Dylan went electric and protest-story telling songs were his purpose. Troost’s songs are not protest related, but have a deeper philosophical, spiritual, and realistic kick to them.
Troost claims his songs have a “cinematic” quality to them, which can be noticed in such numbers as “Bye and Bye”, “My Heart is Always the Last to Leave”, “Oh Love”, and “Disturbing Blues”, while others tend to be more simplistic folk-spiritual sparse numbers. Some songs are a bit too cinematic, such as “Disturbing Blues” which unless you’re a cannibal, it's doubtful you want to visualize this one on a regular basis. Nicole Gordan supplied a lovely back up vocal throughout the set, which kept the numbers lighter when they were of their darker content.
A few numbers dabbled into a rockabilly sound. 'Real Music' was reminiscent to “Your Mama Don't Dance” by Kenny Loggins. Another number, Troost jokingly claimed they may revoke his folk card for, was “Weary Traveler”. These lighter, boppy numbers floated nicely in and out of the set, but the real golden tickets were Troost’s darker, soulful fair.
When he came back on for the encore of “Harlan County Boy's” after an hour and a half of playing, Troost served up a rich full set. Any old folky at McCabe’s last night surely felt as if they went to the Old Country Buffet of music and got more than their fill from these talented musicians.
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