Sunday, March 2, 2008

Concert review: Asylum Street Spankers

By Mike Orren

Asylum Street Spankers, ca. 2008

LOWER GREENVILLE — First, it should be noted that this was yet another outing for The Granada's series of early evening concerts. That meant that the show was advertised for a 5:00 start and that despite travel delays a 6:00 start was managed -- meaning that the missus and I had time to catch most, but not all, of this show before having to exit to make our way to a benefit courtesy a most gracious host.

If you've seen the Spankers before, you generally know what to expect: It's really about how the supporting cast around always-stellar manstays Whammo and Christina Marrs performs.

For the first time since the days of Mysterious John, a new Spanker worth (occasionally) sitting in the lead chair has emerged -- Vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Charlie King not only kicks in his own songs, he plays with virtuosity on slide and mandolin while managing to contribute the novelty of didgeridoo-like ululation. This last talent somehow manages to be more than a novelty, adding dimension to old and new Spanker tunes.

King added several more politically-edged songs, which mixed in with the Spankers' traditional repertoire of traditional and parodic tunes. The Spankers' performances generally fall into three camps: traditional, parodic and political -- this configuration seems to trend to the latter two. The band benefitted from The Granada's sound, although the mixer only seemed to take advantage periodically.

We had to leave late in the main set, so don't know what sort of mayhem happened later on. But I do know that I'm happy about any music series that is early enough to have me in great spirits before hitting a bennie.

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• Arts > Popular Music > Alt-Country / Americana
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