Concert Review: Son Volt at Delmar Hall

The band included new and returning members. Longtime members Mark Spencer (piano, organ, acoustic slide, lap steel, backing vocals) and Andrew DuPlantis (bass, backing vocals) ably backed Farrar’s angst-ridden lyrics. Guitarist Chris Frame – who toured with Son Volt in the Okemah album era – rejoined the group and DuPlantis recruited fellow Austin musician Mark Patterson to play drums and percussion.

Farrar reaches those that feel disenfranchised with songs that speak to “The 99,” referring to the 99% of us that fall outside the wealthy 1%. He also touches on immigration issues, whistleblowers, reality-show presidents, troubles and turmoils. He is a intense-feeling songwriter that touches his following deeply.

A heavy-hitting encore had Farrar and his current Son Volt lineup revisit some of the material that earned fans’ respect back in the day when Son Voltwas just a baby – and even a couple back from the Uncle Tupelo days, including “Chicamauga” and “Still Be Around.”

It’s rare that this writer is bowled over by the opener – so much that it seemed a hard act for Son Volt to follow. Old Salt Union was that band. With wild and contagious energy, locals Old Salt blew the doors off of Delmar Hall – people stayed on their feet for throughout the venue, dancing, bobbing, and singing along. After seeing them, you might call them bluegrass, newgrass, rock and roll, indie, or a combination of all, but you’ll be leaving glad you heard them.

Led by Jesse Farrar, the band is more than the sum of its parts, recalling Mumford and Sons when they were fresh and new. The name Farrar is no coincidence. When guitarist Dustin Eiskant introduced him he claimed it was just that – a coincidence. It was a joke – Jesse’s uncle is none other than Jay Farrar. And Dustin himself is Jesse’s cousin. If it’s all in the family, Uncle Jay could borrow a few pages from Jesse’s book. Son Voltalmost seemed a let down after Old Salt Union’s explosive set.

Son Volt Set List

Lost Souls

Sinking Down

Buzz And Grind

(Gob Iron cover)

The 99

Waterloo

(Gob Iron cover)

The Picture

The Reason

Union

Cherokee St.

Medication

Devil May Care

Bandages & Scars

Driving the View

Caryatid Easy

Route

Tear Stained Eye

Windfall

Drown

Afterglow 61

Encore:

Still Be Around

(Uncle Tupelo cover)

Hearts and Minds

Back Against the Wall

Jammin’ Me

(Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers cover)

Chickamauga