Roots rockers from upstate Vermont must have felt quite at home landing a gig in a Flagstaff, Arizona brewery in late January: laid back outdoorsy town, snowy mountains, pony tails and appreciative music fans. After all it was just a little over three years ago Grace Potter and the Nocturnals were regulars at cozy dining/drinking holes like Halvorsons and Nectars in their hometown of Burlington.
So Vermont’s newest “rock stars,” who are a hit single away from a Ben & Jerry’s flavor, landed in northern Arizona between Austin & West Hollywood gigs. It had been just under three months when they had last visited Arizona’s“ leftiest” city opening for Gov’t Mule at the nearby Orphuem Theater, in support their well received second album, This Is Somewhere.
Playing in the sold out beer vat/concert room of the Mogollon Brewery, Potter and the Nocturnals took to the stage looking like rock stars as Potter’s sex appeal strengthens by each short skirt and cute hair cut, while the Nocturnals’ dusty troubadour look is the epitome of Rick Danko/Richard Manuel/Robby Robertson retro cool.
Opening with the blues jaunt “Joey” the band kicked into one of their newer pop numbers, “Stop The Bus,” with Potter strapping on the Flying V guitar and singing the suggestive line, “tonight you’re sleeping next to me.” Many of the guys in attendance were most ready and willing.
Other This Is Somewhere numbers “Ah Mary,” “Ain’t No Time” and the gospel themed “Big White Gate” followed before leading into the bluesy anthem “Treat Me Right.” Having logged studio time at Sun Studios in Memphis three days earlier amidst the ghosts of Cash, Elvis and Orbison, they recorded a new song, “Sugar.” Grace and her mates dusted off the 72 hour rust on the soulful "Sugar", as Potter switched between guitar and soulful organ fills.
Shots were thrown back as the night wore on, and GP&N hit their bluesy apex during “Nothing But The Water,” where the ten- minute plus ramble was well received up in Flagstaff, but its jammy excursions including a drum circle or in this case a "drum square" involving all four members might have been accepted elsewhere as “self indulgent.” However, it was a dominating encore version of Neil Young’s “Down By The River” featuring a blistering solo by Scott Tournet that ended the night in commanding fashion. Although the Nocturnals are clearly confident talents of their own, they seem to have no problem playing a supporting role to the charismatic Potter.
It was now just after midnight and it was time for the headliners to journey to Sunset Boulevard in L.A. on their charted bus for a 3PM “in store’ at Amoeba Records the following afternoon. Somehow, it’s just not easy these days to feel sorry for Grace Potter and the Nocturnals. They have it good and it’s well deserved.
Live photo by John Tompkins
