David Eugene Edwards sings into the darkened crowd at Swallow Hill on Friday. Photos by.
How fitting it was that , a group known for its Christian themes, played the former church-turned-venue on Friday night. The subdued atmosphere and folksy stage set up — complete with chairs for the audience, minimalist sound equipment and a coffee and refreshment bar (no booze!!!) — foreshadowed the restrained theme of the special acoustic performance. The bill also featured and , formerly of .
, the driving force behind Wovenhand, is a man with a wealth of passion and intensity that erupts in his live performances. At times, he seems possessed by some spirit. My first impression of him many years ago when he played with frightened me.
It seems strange that I enjoy this band. Christian themes are generally off-putting for someone who isn’t Christian. However, the themes that fall under the subject of Americana are what draw me to Wovenhand so forcefully. Themes like rural cowboy life, the outlaw-style freedom, the never-back-down attitude — these recurring themes are what gets me singing their tunes while camping or fishing.
Despite the toned-down set Friday, Edwards brought a different kind of intensity. He said it himself: “I can’t really hide behind my volume.” In fact, the low volume and lack of distortion revealed parts of his songs I hadn’t yet noticed. I concentrated on his lyrics in ways I never had and I found that Wovenhand has stepped away from the fiery intensity of the 16 Horsepower-era and into a focused piety towards his God and downright penitence.
This was especially apparent in the song “Sparrow Falls” from the album “Consider the Birds,” where the lyrics go as follows: “I will you no grief to see you fall. Once I had a mind to, but I’m done with that. I mean you no harm at all.” Wovenhand played many songs from this album Friday night (an album I consider much quieter than others).
He did play one 16 HP song in the encore that I noticed — “Outlaw Song,” about a man who refuses to give up his gray horse to “nine of the law.” The song ends with the character shooting two of the police. I appreciated Edwards playing this song because it reminded me of how far he’s come from his 16 HP days, especially in albums like “Folklore” and “Olden.”
Highlights for Friday’s show were numerous. Elin Palmer had tuning issues with her nyckelharpa after the delicate instrument fell during her and Kal Cahoone’s opening set, but she only missed one song while she fixed the problem. The rest of the night I was amazed at how beautiful that instrument sounds — like a beefier violin, which she played with fervor on “Deerskin Doll.” Cahoone and Palmer looked gorgeous in their black outfits. (See below.) The veteren 16 HP drummer Ordy Garrison carried the rhythm with a pared-down drum set, featuring what looked like a homemade bass drum.
Friday nightap show at Swallow Hill was a rare and fulfilling experience. I appreciate Swallow Hill for organizing the event, furthering my enjoyment of a band for which I am an unabashed fan.
Loren Speer is a bartender at and, in his spare time, an international activist. He sleeps with one eye open and can crush glass with his bare hands. In addition to , Loren writes for under the pseudonym The Bartender.
is a Denver freelance photographer and a regular contributor to Reverb.
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