One Fan at a Time

Live Review: Joshua Park, Joe D’Amico, Ivan & Alyosha, Levee Drivers at The Fire (3/1/11)

Yes, I had to get my Tuesday night music fix – after all, I am a music junkie. So, with some of my favorite bands on the bill I knew The Fire was the place to go. I go wherever the live music takes me.

The show began with a set by Joshua Park. Since I haven’t seen Park in quite some time it was really nice to see him again. Park began his set as a duo with Brad Hinton (lap steel, vocals). Then Philip D’Agostino (bass) and Kevin Killen (drums) joined Park and Hinton on stage. Hearing the new song, “Weariness”, was a real treat. I also enjoyed Park’s cover of Hezekiah Jones’ “Traffic To The Sea”. Of course there were several other songs in the set before the final song, “Just To Be With You” – a great ending! Joshua Park is a great singer/songwriter with a powerful, beautifully toned voice and has a very gifted group of musicians for a band. Man, I only wish that Joshua Park had more shows.

Almost two weeks ago I saw Joe D’Amico at World Cafe Live for his Asleep In My Shoes CD Release Show and it was amazing. I loved the fact that I got to see Joe D’Amico again last night. D’Amico’s music is so good. D’Amico was playing with a talented group of musicians: Philip D’Agostino (bass), Brad Hinton (lap steel, vocals), Bethany Brooks (keys, vocals) and Kevin Killen (drums). “Monsters” opened the set followed by “Asleep In My Shoes”. There were several other songs before the set ended with “Late Nights (Early Mornings)”. Oh, let’s not forget the crowd participation portion…a kick-flip on a skateboard from a fan during the mid-set intermission – very entertaining. If there is one thing that I absolutely love about Joe D’Amico’s music especially when I hear it live is the ability to witness those killer, mesmerizing jams (towards the end of the songs) first hand. Wow!

Well, it was getting late for a Tuesday night so I only saw part of Ivan & Alyosha’s set. Ivan & Alyosha is a five member band from Seattle, WA. I think it’s the four guitars that help create that huge wall of sound, rock style. All in all, I kind of liked what I heard.

I left early so I didn’t get to see Levee Drivers.

Live music = good times!