Blues Traveler, which usually plays to large crowds in venues such as Red Rocks, gave its fans a treat Tuesday night, playing the first of two nights at the Fox Theatre in Boulder.
The more intimate setting seemed to energize the band, touring in support of its new CD, ” Bastardos!”
Ever since the commercial success of “Four,” Blues Traveler had gotten away from its jam-band roots, concentrating on tight songwriting. However, its members do still like to play multiple-song segues, although unlike most jam bands, their segues are tight rather than an exercise in free-form jamming.
These segues seem to break the show into song pockets. Frontman John Popper traded solos with guitarist Chan Kinchla on “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly” to open the set, then led the band into the laid-back pop of its current single, “Amber Awaits,” and finally into “But Anyway.”
Popper’s fiery harmonica playing still drives the band. On a frenetic cover of “The Devil Went Down to Georgia,” he replicated the classic fiddle lines on his harmonica, abruptly transitioning into “Money Back Guarantee” from the band’s latest CD halfway through the song.
For much of Tuesday’s show, keyboard player Ben Wilson was lost in the mix, especially on the louder parts of songs. That’s a shame because his playing can add a nice dimension to the band’s sound.
During “The Mountains Win Again,” Wilson’s delicate piano fills added a beautiful melancholic touch. On “Believe Me,” he and Kinchla played off each other, providing a smooth background for Popper to solo over.
Wilson finally got a chance to step out on a jam out of “Business as Usual,” taking an extended organ solo.
Blues Traveler has always liked to share the stage with guests. Lead guitarist Carter Gravatt of Carbon Leaf joined the band as he and Popper matched licks on a bluesy riff before jamming into “Mulling It Over.” Gravatt started a long jam with a lyrical solo, then he and Kinchla had fun trading licks while Popper punctuated with harmonica fills.
Carbon Leaf opened the show with a set strong on tight harmonies and songs from its latest CD, “Indian Summer.” Gravatt’s picking shined on a cover of Led Zeppelin’s “Bron-Y-Aur Stomp.”
Tickets for tonight’s Blues Traveler show may be available through the Fox Theater box office and Ticketmaster.
