is a rock goddess with endless sex appeal. Her taunting struts in sequin high heels and leather mini skirt Sunday night at the would just about make anyone go “Ohh La La.”
By the time the show was over, there wasn’t a soul in the room whose temperature hadn’t risen from the blonde bombshell’s sultry, stunning performance. The medicine that Potter and the Nocturnals brought to the Ogden included a heavy dose of good old fashioned rock ‘n’ roll that recalls Stevie Nicks, Joni Mitchell and Janis Joplin.
Photos below from the band’s February performance at the Ogden Theatre.
But trying to put Potter and the Nocturnals into a box would leave a lot missing from the picture, as Sunday nightap set proved they breeze through funk, soul, country and gospel. This mash-up of genres can be attributed to the band’s metamorphosis.
Believe it or not, Potter was once quiet enough to sing solo in a coffee shop. Thatap how drummer Matthew Burr ran into Potter and soon after suggested they start a band. The two quickly brought on guitarist Scott Tournet and most recently (2009) have been joined by smoking hot Catherine Popper on bass guitar and vocals and veteran rocker Benny Yurco on electric guitar and vocals.
According to Potter, during the recording of their debut record, they had a “stylistic epiphany.”
Yet, one would never think an “epiphany” was ever needed given Sunday nightap performance. The Nocturnals have a polished finish despite the fact they have only played together in this incarnation for two short years. Their ease and playfulness on stage with each other showed a solid synergy and hinted at a bond forged through the pulse-pounding riffs and songs that strike chords of the heart.
Potter flowed through their rhythms like a school of fish swimming upstream, while the eclectic crowd of hipsters, cowboys, jocks and old hippies splashed around in her never-ending energy and dramatic twists and turns. While belting out “Nothing But The Water (II)” with a mighty force, she channeled James Brown and had the entire crowd singing “Get on up, like a sex machine.”
The night was heavily laced with songs from their new self-titled album including feet tapping, booty shaking renditions of “Paris,” “Tiny Light,” “One Short Night” and “Goodbye Kiss.” They also eloquently weaved in songs from prior albums such as “Apologies” and “Stop the Bus,” which Potter proudly announced was written in Colorado.
It would be hard to believe that anyone left more than satisfied. Although, a few did leave without their bra and undies since Potter demanded that someone reveal themselves before she would sing the long-awaited hit “Medicine.” During this last song she put all her cards on the table, thrusting her mile-long legs and sexy rocked out-hair with a passion.
Rachel Chaparro is a Denver-based writer and a new contributor to Reverb.
