Railroad Earth sold out a Friday and Saturday night run in Portland, Oregon, and the Saturday night show saw many of their most famous songs peppered with rarities and guest appearances. The Scott Pemberton Trio warmed up the crowd with an impressive set that was a cross between jam band and rockabilly, and though it may have been lost on the pure bluegrass fans, found a home with those looking for something a little more electrified and cranked up.
Railroad Earth is a fierce bluegrass group that doesn’t follow the rules of tradition. Their inclusion of a drummer is something seldom seen in the bluegrass world and is part of what makes them one of the most danceable and rhythmic bluegrass bands in the country. This night they played some of the more important songs in their repertoire. In the opening set they followed “Saddle of the Sun” with “Old Man and the Land,” a sure way to please fans. Later they would end the two-night run with a second set that would include versions of “Black Bear,” “Elko,” “Butterfly and the Tree,” and “Bird in the House” that were nothing short of spectacular.
Tim Carbone played the fiddle beautifully this evening, punctuating the performance with solos that were strong, intricate and truly impressive. He jammed some with the Scott Pemberton Trio to open the night and Scott returned the favor with an appearance on “Warhead Boogie.” By the second set Carbone was in top form, causing a ruckus with his high energy and mesmerizing solo work. Near the end of the evening Scott Law joined in on “Butterfly and the Tree” and “Bird in the House.” Scott Law’s presence transformed the band with his loud bluesy guitar solos and the crowd responded with glee. His performance on “Bird in the House,” in particular, was a high point for the night.
Front man Todd Sheaffer, if you can call him a frontman given the collective nature of the group, led the band throughout the night with subtle nods and leads. Singing more of the songs and playing the acoustic guitar with authority, he carries little ego and doesn’t steal the stage from his band mates. Some might want more from him but his easygoing presence and comforting smile compliment his humble personality.
Railroad Earth hail from New Jersey, but they have a big presence in the Pacific Northwest and typically sell out all of their shows, and it’s hard easy to imagine them only finding more success in the years to come.
Setlist:
Set 1:
420
Everything Comes Together
Saddle of the Sun
Old Man and the Land
Flower Between the Stones
Where Songs Begin
1759 >
Grandfather Mountain
Set 2:
Cold Water
Gold Rush
Black Bear
Elko
Warhead Boogie (A)
Mission Man
Butterfly and the Tree (B)
Bird in the House (B)
Stillwater Getaway
E: Take a Bow
A) w/ Scott Pemberton on guitar
B) w/ Scott Law on Guitar
