Blackfoot at the Open Chord

Something I've learned over the past few years is the music of bands who are still around after a few decades only evolves. It's a privilege to know that what you heard back in their heyday is not what you'd hear if you were to see them live now or on their new albums. Certain examples of the evolution include playing a different genre, like country or blues, playing an acoustic version of a hit rock song, or changing band members over time, for various reasons.

Blackfoot is one of them. 

However, what the current lineup (Jeff Shields, vocals; Tim Rossi, guitar and vocals; Matt Anastasi, drums; Seth Lester, guitar; and Derek DeSantis, bass) has done to keep the spirit alive is not lost on fans, both old and new. Those of you who are my age or older who listen to classic rock on the radio (or should I say the music we grew up with?) would invariably hear "Train, Train".  For me, it's one of few songs I can identify in just one note, that matchless, incomparable harmonica intro that makes the sound of a train so real. Though I know I'm like a lot of people who wish music of that kind would never fade away, never lose its meaning or value, the only other thing to do is to keep it alive for as long as possible, doing everything one is capable of.

I have to give props for the staff at Open Chord: What a way to pack a venue on a weeknight in spite of the heavy rain! 

Blackfoot in just a few words (as a start): A fresh new edge, with many unfathomable eccentricities that will give them their own distinct image. Nonetheless, they don't take for granted where they came from, the lasting legacy of the original sound of this band. Rock, that's the bottom line.

In addition to upholding this standard, lead singer Jeff Shields has awesome, almost philosophical words to say between songs. Strange as this may sound, they fascinated me so much, I made a point to tune in to them. Though songs would typically include heartbreak, anger, depression, as well as the antithesis of each of those woes, I loved hearing about what a man shouldn't do to a woman, money slipping through your fingers, and dealing with people who do all taking and no giving.

About two-thirds of the way into the show, they played "Train, Train." It was only appropriate to have everyone sing it.

Of special mention is lead guitarist Tim Rossi. For those who are occasional concertgoers, you haven't lived around live music until you see Tim play guitar with this teeth, among many other antics that hard as this is to believe, would put KISS to shame. Then again, this is Blackfoot...evolved...in a new generation, so I need not compare.

But there's more: Tim's guitar solo of both "Amazing Grace" and "The Star-Spangled Banner," the latter for those who can have their own memory of the national anthem on strings, replete with pride and passion. I only hope someone has a recording of that. In that way, that can be a great immortal moment in rock history. 

I just mentioned that some bands have made acoustic versions of their hit songs. How about this: An upbeat version of "Ohio," by Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young? I'll allow you to have a few seconds to think about that, to try to wrap your mind around that. The best feature: Tim's long guitar solo.

Towards the end of the show, Jeff announced they are working on a new album. And I can't begin to imagine the even greater things they will deliver on it!

For those who didn't come out, I do have some pity for you. However, I have a consolation. You have an even better chance to see them again. On Saturday, September 1, they will be in Waco, Kentucky, with Sinful Lilly  to open up for them.