Chatham County Line – March 9, 2008 Lincoln Theatre (Raleigh, NC)
Chatham County Line @ Lincoln Theatre
March 8, 2008
While most of the Triangle had their eyes glued to ESPN for the UNC-Duke basketball game, the “hometown heroes” (as proclaimed by the opening act) Chatham County Line were playing their final show of their North Carolina CD Release three date mini-tour. The band’s fourth album, entitled simply IV (some homage to Led Zeppelin?), was released earlier in the week.
I’d entertained the notion of watching the basketball game with a group of friends, as well as celebrating a 30th birthday, though with no dog in the fight (being an alum of the “other rival”), I decided to head solo to the Lincoln for what would assuredly be a night of good music.
Warming up the crowd was a Amy LaVere and her band hailing from Memphis, TN. She had a voice which on one song that to me was reminiscent of a “country” Billie Holiday. Though I couldn’t quite put a finger on it, their style was a mix of old time jazz, blues, rock, and country – but dating back to a time when those genres were not so distant cousins.
During the set breaks, I talked to someone I knew from college as well as someone from my hometown. A large gathered around the TV to watch the game – at about the 4:00 mark just as Duke had come back and made it interesting – Chatham County Line came out.
The stage set up was quite simple but quite effective (picture)- a mile marker with Chatham County Line, one centrally located microphone, two other microphones on both sides, and a backdrop of simply the North Carolina state flag. It’s all about roots.
Having never seen the band or hearing much of their music (I’d sampled a little on the internet and heard a song of theirs on the Cable Music Bluegrass Channel), my first impressions were banjoist Chandler Holt sure looks like the guy that plays Kenneth on 30 Rock and mandolin player John Teer looks like George Jr from Arrested Development (TV show). My next impression was that this might be the best band from Raleigh I’ve ever heard in any genre. Very solid songwriting, great musicianship, and rich harmonies often compared to that of the Everly Brothers.
Self dubbed as “new traditionalists”, their music has roots steeped in Americana and older bluegrass/folk music – but the songwriting has a contemporary feel with present day lyrics and everpresent themes that permeate older folk music and contemporary music sans amplification. Guitarist/lead vocalist Dave Wilson sang with conviction and you knew he meant every note he sang – just an authenticity that was refreshing, yet so often hard to find in today’s world.
The most intense and compelling number of the night was “Birmingham Jail” off the newly released CD which tells the story of the church bombing in Birmingham as well as governor George Wallace refusing the admittance of two black students at the University of Alabama. The haunting violin of John Teer over a brooding minor key reminds me a bit of Dylan’s “Hurricane.”
During their encore, the band mid-song brought their instruments out into the audience – right in front of where I was standing for a couple of songs (picture) – the last being a Traveling Wilburys tune. After the show I picked up two of their CDs, IV (stream CD here) and Route 23, which I’m sure will both be in heavy rotation for quite a while.
The band will be heading next week to the world famous South by Southwest Festival, followed by some more dates stateside – then traveling to Europe where they have amassed quite the following. It’s good to see a budding scene of like-minded bands like Chatham County and Virginia bands – Old Crow Medicine Show and The Hackensaw Boys – playing contemporary music in the form of traditional music.
Chatham County Line – “Route 23″ Feb 26, 2005 Lincoln Theatre
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