The Sadies
Great American Music Hall - Nov 19, 2010
review by esabel

I'm pretty sure I suffered permanent hearing loss standing front and center at The Sadies show at the Great American on Friday night, but it was worth it to see the Good brothers stellar playing up close.

The Sadies proved why they are known as a live band. With heavy representation from their latest release, the moody and introspective Darker Circles, their set list also showed off the range of their influences and talent.

Songs included a handful of instrumentals of both the surf and turf variety; the swamp boogie stomp Tiger Tiger; and the righteous rockers Loved on Look, FLASH and Leave Me Alone. Travis Good traded in the guitar for some red hot fiddle playing on the spiritual (and frenzied) number Higher Power.

As a bonus, they invited their latest collaborator, the lovely John Doe, on stage to join them for a few songs, including a soulful rendition of X's The Have Nots.

If the Sadies wear their influences on their sleeves, they still manage to create their own sound, driven by the Good brothers' high-powered picking. It is great to see a band that has been around as long as they have still sound so intense.

It is also great to see this combined with their old-school stage schtick -- wearing suits and ties and with Dallas Good playing the gracious host, mumbling appreciations throughout the evening.

I'm ashamed to say this is the first time I've seen them play. It won't be the last.

posted Nov 22, 2010
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