Fate McAfee Mixes Up The Singer-Songwriter Spectrum at Rockwood Music Hall (SHOW REVIEW)

On the road to promote his newest album, Diesel Palomino. Fate McAfee and company stopped by the Lower East Side of Manhattan Thursday night February 28th in fine mid-tour form. McAfee and band played the smaller stage one room at Rockwood Music Hall and did so to a full and boisterous crowd who they instantly won over with their warm sound.

Backed by Leonard the Band, and supported with female backing vocals McAfee from Western Kentucky rolled out a set of tunes rooted in easy folk-rock, in the vein of early Wilco. McAfee’s singing and songwriting is the clear focal point as it possesses a sense of darkness and gloom even when the support is sprightly. 

Opening with the first song on the new album “Preacherwoman Blues” the upbeat ramble had hints of Johnny Cash, only smoother as the number sashayed nicely around the small room. Leonard the Band (Brian Rader: Guitar Adam Rader: Bass Tootie Rose: Drums Zack Winding: Piano/Organ) stood down for one of the set highlights as Fate played “Orchids in the Rain” solo to start before a dramatic full group entrance made for a climactic finish; while tonight’s stage was small (drummer Tootie Rose was relegated to the floor in the corner off stage) this song is ready for the big time. 

The title track of the newest release “Diesel Palomino” was the perfect display of the strengths of the players on this night. The tune was an intriguing mix of ringing guitar, slow marching drums and ominous songwriting. Abandoned love, drug abuse and loneliness hang around the McAfee’s neck like an anchor before the players displayed a karmic release of a finale, turning in some blissful warbling sounds to wrap up the adventure.      

The Tom Petty circa Wildflowers sounding “From A Silo” saw Rose using brushes expertly on the drums while Winding injected both piano and electronic keys to round out the sound. The mix of sad singing and pretty playing, barroom pianos, picking guitar, restrained bass and tight musicianship made for an excellent set of tunes from the troubadour and company as they continue on down the road.  

 

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