The Amazing Armerdings: Pickin' Ain't Just on Tuesdays Anymore

Last night I saw Jake Armerding perform at Club Passim in Harvard Square. Passim is a Folk Music and Cultural Center celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Passim is also home to Veggie Planet, a haven for vegetarians, vegans, and everything else non-animal and non-alcoholic (a disturbing, if not altogether unexpected, revelation upon glancing at the menu upon sitting down). The crowd leans perhaps a bit too left/crunchy/psyched-about-soy for me (the opening act, Seth Glier, waxed disdainfully about his 98 year-old Republican grandma and played an unflattering emo-ish tune written from the perspective of George W. Bush - "I Just Want to Make My Daddy Proud"), but the venue is actually pretty cool. About twenty or so small four-seat tables, additional chairs lining the walls, and a decent sized stage up front. Low ceiling, intimate setting, very friendly staff, great sound system, and a much-appreciated quiet, respectful (read: sober) audience.

I attended with Pickin' Baines Johnston, Lydia, Amanda, Josh, and Laura. We had all seen Jake play at the infamous Cantab Lounge on several occasions. This evening, as he often does, Jake was playing with his father, Taylor, the "Old Lonely Train," the "Ol' High & Lonesome," who plays a mean mandolin and has an ethereal high croon the likes of which are rarely heard in the northeastern metropolises. Zack Hickman, he of the three-piece cream suit and waxed 'stache, plays the stand-up bass like nobody I've ever seen. It's impossible to describe effectively, but he simply jams on it, dancing around it, strumming and plucking with frenetic energy, slapping it viciously at times, occasionally yelping out an emphatic "Yeah!" or "Come on!" when the group is playing an up-tempo instrumental bluegrass number. Quite the talented character. This trio forms the core of Jake Armerding's band, but he often cycles in other people - an additional fiddler, banjo or guitar player. Last night he had Kevin Barry - evidently somewhat of a local Boston pro - on the lap steel and electric guitar. A truly amazing sound. The mellisonant, smooth twang of the lap steel is simply mesmerizing and Barry had a few stellar solos. Jake himself is a tremendous fiddle player, but also plays the guitar and mandolin and has an excellent voice. His sound is hard to qualify - inspired by traditional bluegrass, folk, and country but very bluesy with a touch of rock.

They played half the tracks off Jake's 2007 album Walking on the World, including "Hole In The Sky (Mandolin Man)," "The Fleece," "Keep The River On Your Right," "Assassination Blues," "Critical Eye," and "My House." I have this excellent album, and hearing these tracks performed live with certain elements changed or added was great. Jake played some of his older songs and threw in a few classic bluegrass tunes, including a "Hallelujah"-type song in which he and his dad held looooong notes and produced beautiful harmony.

Fantastic show. Well worth the $15. A long set - all the better after seeing their gigs at the Cantab which always end too soon.

Jake said that he, his dad Taylor, and Zack are going to hit the studio next month to record an entire album. I am really looking forward to this one.

Jake's back playing at Passim on 12/18 with Mark Erelli and Lori McKenna - back-to-back cover shows. I think I might have to check that out.

Support local music!

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Conversation snippets:

MRhé: "I like this place, but it doesn't quite have the same joie de vivre as the Cantab."
Lydia: "That's because there's no beer."

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Amanda: "How's the cake?"
MRhé: "It's pretty good but it needs something..."
Amanda: "Like animal products?"