Railroad Earth Returns To Irving Plaza

Railroad Earth features some incredibly skilled players on instruments that are most typically found in straightforward bluegrass bands. Tim Carbone stole the show at the Fillmore with a number of impressive fiddle solos. The licks Carbone laid down were not only insanely quick, but more importantly, they were also very melodic. Many songs started off slow until Tim was given a chance to pick up the crowd. I also really enjoyed Todd Sheaffer’s guitar work: His tone sounded so good and meaty that I would forget he was soloing on an acoustic.

So many factors seemed different on Saturday night then during the band’s last appearance at the venue in March. The band took the stage for the first of two sets at 10:15, while last time the show was nearly over at that time. Also, Irving didn’t seem as packed as it was back in March when the band sold out the venue. One of the things that impressed me so much about the previous show was the energy the crowd emitted, and I didn’t really pick up on that this time around. There were plenty of people singing along and dancing their asses off, just not even close to as many as at the show in March.

Regardless, I had such a good time at my first Railroad Earth show that I’m willing to give the band another shot. But there are only four more chances to check out the band in 2007. Railroad Earth celebrates Thanksgiving in Stroudsburg, PA on November 23rd and 24th at the Sherman Theater. While they aren’t playing a New Year’s show, they do have two gigs on the 28th and 29th of December. Check them out at the Community Theatre in Morristown, NJ on the 29th or at Penn’s Peak in Jim Thorpe, PA on the 30th.

Let’s check out some more of Adam Kaufman’s photos from Saturday night:

Todd Sheaffer and Carey Harmon don’t look alike, yet they both look like Popeye

John Skehan reigns over the mandolin

Andy Goessling feels true musicians don’t smile while playing

Eh, just kidding

Carey Harmon impressively keeps a beat and sings harmony with his eyes closed

• Check out more of Adam Kaufman’s great photos from the show
• Previously on HT: Get On The Train: Railroad Earth at Irving Plaza and Grousing The Aisles: Under The Radar

Railroad Earth
11/03/07 (Sat) The Fillmore at Irving Plaza – New York City, NY [via setlist.com]

Set 1: Bird in a House, Magic Foot, Elko, Loving You, 420, Warhead Boogie, Said What You Mean, Dandelion Wine *

Set 2: RV, Head, Good Life, Fruitful Acre, Powderfinger **, Railroad Earth, Any Road, Seven Story Mountain, E: Walls of Time ***, Ragtime Annie Lee

* with Neal Casal on acoustic guitar and vocals
** First time played (Neil Young cover) with Neal Casal on electric guitar and vocals and Tim Carbone on accordion
*** with Neal Casal on electric guitar