For the second time this season, the Cold Spring Summer Sunset Concert Series had to take it inside due to inclement weather. Thanks to St. Mary's on 9D, Dana Edelman and His Slammin' Band were able to perform for too few people who nonetheless enjoyed the sounds that 4 guys on an altar can make. 

Listening to Chris Foley on guitar, Yoshi Waki on bass, Victor Jones on drums, and Dana's vocals--which at times reminded me of James Taylor, other times of Harry Chapin, but with a pleasant style all its own-- the room surged with a power that I wouldn't have expected from listening to Dana's fine "Blue Roses" CD. (Good job, sound guy...Phil?) The musicians were tight musically, yet loose and relaxed emotionally, filling the space with sounds that made you tap your toes, --and in the case of 2 young exuberant girls--stomp your feet to jams like "Right Now" and "Bedouin Man".

There were also introspective ballads like "Who I Am", "One Boy, One Girl" (for his children) and the title track from "Blue Roses", my personal fave; all in all, I counted 8 songs from the disc and was disappointed my 2nd fave "Grand Central Station" was left out. Maybe to make room for a couple of unfamiliar tunes, at least to me--the easy "Hardscrabble Road" and the rockin' "Slow Down Jane". Hopefully those two songs will get recorded by Dana and the guys soon.

Advance publicity for this show described Dana Edelman as "Soul Folk" and the Soul was evident in a couple of covers--Bill Withers' "Grandma's Hands" and a refreshing take on Otis Redding's "That's How Strong My Love Is."

Except for the show starting 30 minutes late--perhaps to allow people time to come from the original venue at the gazebo (frustratingly, no explanation was given)-- I was defnitely glad to go to church this particular Sunday to catch Dana Edelman and His Slammin' Band and you would be "blessed" to do likewise next time they're in town. Good stuff!