Garth Hudson w/ Kevin Hearn and Thin Buckle At Yoshi’s
Garth Hudson was The Band’s keyboard player for over 30 years. He’s 76 now. The years have bowed his massive shoulders and weakened his voice, but his playing remains creative and strong.
After a brief introduction, Garth stepped onto the stage. Hunched over, face barely visible beneath a wide-brimmed black hat, with a snow-white beard covering the rest. When he played the accordion, only his hat and hands were visible. He sat at the piano in a black jacket embroidered with “Los Lobos,” which he later removed, struggling with slipping suspender straps all night. As the crowd grew quiet, he rang a small dinner bell, and the show started.
Hudson’s wife and longtime musical partner is Sister Maud. Her soulful voice reminds me of singer Tracy Nelson from Mother Earth. Like her husband, Maud is also dressed in black—scarf, gloves, and dark aviator glasses. She sings while seated in a wheelchair and sometimes peeks out from behind a black-cased MacBook Pro that scrolls her lyrics. She introduces her cane, “Virgil,” a gift from Levon Helm, and consults Virgil for ideas on the next song.
The Canadian band Kevin Hearn (from Barenaked Ladies) and Thin Buckle supported the Hudsons. Hearn’s thin vocals did not fit well with this collection of gritty band classics, and his original songs also didn’t seem to connect with the crowd. As bandleader and second keyboardist, he struggled to organize the set, forgot the guest violinist’s name, and sometimes covered up Garth’s playing.
Paul Rigby, however, added a nice touch with his clever guitar and mandolin work. Another guest, Jan Haust, brought a twist to “Up On Cripple Creek” with slide blues banjo.
Highlights in the 90-minute set included Garth’s imaginative electronica intro for “Chest Fever,” which sounded like preprogrammed Latin riffs strained through a cheap Casio keyboard, complete with tinny bongos and simulated saxophone squawks. Garth playfully interspersed the recognizable opening organ melody line. And “Caravan,” the 1936 Duke Ellington classic, was reworked for keyboard and violin, showcasing Jason Crosby.
The audience was a mix of old and new fans. Hoping for autographs, some brought vinyl copies of The Last Waltz, the historic Band concert performed 38 years ago at the Winterland arena, less than a mile from Yoshi’s. Half a dozen fans got up and danced for “Up On Cripple Creek,” and stood holding each other for the remaining two songs.
Garth shook hands with the crowd as he left the stage and invited everyone to the Kate Wolf Fest, where he would be playing next.
Program Notes
Band: Garth Hudson Featuring Sister Maud Hudson
Date: June 26, 2014
Location: Yoshi’s, San Francisco, California
Musicians: Garth Hudson (keyboards, piano, accordion), Sister Maud Hudson (lead vocals), Kevin Hearn (keyboards, guitar, vocals), Chris Gartner (bass), Great Bob Scott (drums), Paul Rigby (guitar, mandolin), Jason Crosby (violin), and Jan Haust (slide blues banjo).
Set List: Piano Instrumental | This Wheel's on Fire | I’m Going Home | Don't Do It | Caravan | Makes No Difference | Tell Me, Tell Me | Million Dollar Bash | Chest Fever | The Weight | Up On Cripple Creek | Whispering Pines | I Shall Be Released
