Photos by Tim Dwenger
(From the March 25th show)
The Scene: From the mountains to the plains, Railroad Earth shows have become a Colorado ritual. Railroad returned to the Fillmore Auditorium in Denver for two unique shows this past Friday and Saturday evenings. With Saturday’s performance, the band brought the flames with one of their liveliest and most dynamic shows to date. The crowd was colorful and happy as usual. Young and old, fathers and sons, best friends and diehards filtered into an unusually quiet and roomy Fillmore space, almost as if we were crowding around a bonfire.
Railroad Earth: As the lights dimmed and Railroad took the stage, they opened with a glimmering rendition of “When the Sun Gets in Your Blood,” setting the stage for a very diverse song selection throughout.
Opening the set with a deviation from the previous nights breezy-grassy vibe, the Earth tore through “Black Elk Speaks” before settling into a lengthy “Potters Field” from their 2010 self-titled album. Everything was in perfect harmony as Todd Sheaffer, Tim Carbone, John Skehan, Andy Goessling and Andrew Altman quickened the pace. Goessling even blew the double saxophone for “Grandfather Mountain” and “My Sisters and Brothers. ” Chris Pandolfi also joined them on banjo to close out the first set.
Guests were bountiful throughout the weekend but Saturday was especially fantastic as The Black Swan Singers (Sheryl Renee, Coco Brown and Carl Carwell) kicked the first set and beyond into overdrive with their lush backing vocals and contagious energy.
After a short interlude, the band let no energy slip from the first set, jumping confidently into crowd favorite “Colorado” from their 2001 album Black Bear Sessions. Andrew’s pink bunny ears meant serious business, as they were ready to deliver a powerful closing set.
Once the energy on the floor had been stoked to a sufficient level, the band embarked on a beastly and adventurous set with the Black Swan Singers along for the ride. When the first twangy notes of “Mighty River” rang out it felt as if the air in the room exploded in positive energy. It took some adjusting, but The Swans added a level of vocal depth that I haven’t experienced at Railroad Earth shows. Not slowing down, a rolling rendition of “Chasin’ a Rainbow,” electrified a giddy room. The second set was steadily growing into legendary territory.
After a quiet rarity in “On the Banks,” Todd Sheaffer turned his mind towards the great “Birds Of America.” It’s a special experience to hear this and I had my arms raised in victory. The power in this song is indescribable and it was booming through the eventual winding transition into “Face with a Hole.”
You could say “Birds” was the peak, but nothing was as satisfying as hearing the boys bust into the prison Blues classic “Midnight Special.” A few verses in, The Swans’ Coco Brown let loose on a solo that shook the room from floor to ceiling.
The band returned to the stage for one song, which perfectly encapsulated recent world events and the joy we felt during the show: “Peace on Earth”
Railroad Earth and The Black Swan Singers flowed together in perfect congruence creating a vivid experience for their fans. It is great to see Railroad Earth experimenting with different guests and instruments as it drastically alters their already diverse soundscapes. There are few bands that can replicate the way Railroad brings theirs fans together in intimate song, and Saturday was a strong statement.
Railroad Earth – March 26th – The Fillmore
Set 1: When the Sun Gets in Your Blood, Black Elk Speaks, Potter’s Field>Lone Croft Farewell, Came Up Smilin’, Any Road, Farewell to Isinglass>Grandfather Mountain (A)(B), My Sisters & Brothers (A)(B) Blitzkrieg Bop
Set 2: Colorado, Mighty River (A), Chasin’ a Rainbow (A), On The Banks (A), Birds of America>Face with a Hole> 12 wolves, Hard Livin (A), Midnight Special (A), Long Way To Go (A)
Encore: Peace on Earth (A)
(A) With the Black Swan Singers: Sheryl Renee, Coco Brown, Carl Carwell
(B) With Chris Pandolphi on banjo
Energy: A-
Musicianship: A+
Sound: A +
Stage Presence: A
Set/Light Show: B+
Overall: A-
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