The Cannery Ballroom

August 31, 4:22 PMNashville Venues ExaminerEmily Blue

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Jakob Dylan & The Wallflowers @ The Cannery

I arrived promptly at 8:17 last night to a crowded parking lot and a not too long line. Butterfly Boucher was the opening act and as I didn’t know much about them, I decided to get there fashionably late. I immediately saw a friend I knew in line, consequently cut the line, and picked up my guest list arm band and ticket. The ticket lady was very pleasant, but the girl at the door kept yelling angrily at everyone to have their ID ready like it was a federal offense if we didn’t. There wasn’t even a line for her so I don’t know what the big deal was. Perhaps that is the one thing she can control in her life. Sad.

However, I pontificate too much.

Upon entering the foyer past the ID Nazi, there was a lame set up for concert merch off to the left, it didn’t seem too enticing so I never even looked. I would think for a more well known act like The Wallflowers, they would have a more impressive merch stand.

As I entered the main room, there is a long bar immediately to the right. Convenient? Not really, as I could not see the stage from the bar. It seems like the stage should be directly across from the entrance where one walks in, but instead, they have it tucked away to the right so if you want to get up close at all, and you don’t want to arrive at 6pm with the staff, you have to hug the back left wall, traipse in front of the sound man and then hug the brick wall on stage right. Then when you finally see an opening ( joy! ) you take your place, realizing you are directly behind a large support beam ( sad ).

The show was terrific.  Jakob Dylan is the opposite of a Monet. He just gets more beautiful, the closer you get. Dylan really sounded more like Leonard Cohen with a hint of his dad at times. Stuart Mathis, on lead guitar, was very impressive, changing guitars throughout the show, making each guitar solo seem effortless and surreal. Fred Eltringham on drums is always a treat to watch, he seems like he is just having the time of his life up there! I also really dug the keyboardist, Bill Appleberry he added a nice touch with the perfectly kept rhythms being pounded out by bass guitarist, Greg Richling.

After the show, since I had an “after” armband on, I was able to hang out and talk with some of the guys. Jakob disappeared to the bus immediately after the show, so I wasn’t able to pin him down (and I would’ve liked to pin him down ;) did I say that out loud? Uh, I mean I wasn’t able to meet him or speak with him.

All in all it was a great show, it’s cool to be able to see a national act and be able to stand that close to the stage, feeling the guitars and drums vibrate your inner core harmonizing with your soul. There’s just no other way or reason to see a concert unless you are right up front.

The End.