Laura Cheadle, Downtown Harvest Rock Milkboy Coffee
http://www.crunkbox.com/articles/articles/120/1/Laura-Cheadle-Downtown-Harvest-Rock-Milkboy-Coffee/Page1.html
Kevin McElvaney
Kevin is from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is the editor of local webzine, Cheap Shot! Philly, and his favorite cheese is muenster. By Kevin McElvaney
Published on 06/7/2008
cheapShotPhilly.com's Kevin McElvaney reviews a creative 3 set show taking place in Ardmore PA.
Laura Cheadle, Downtown Harvest Rock Milkboy Coffee
Milkboy Coffee in Ardmore is noted for its delicious coffees and teas, as well as for its many performances featuring great local and out-of-town musicians. And, while one might expect to see some terrific, mellow and introspective singer-songwriters at such a place as the small suburban cafe, the lineup on Friday, May 30th was no ordinary laid back affair. In fact, it was often every bit as jittery and jumpin' as a college student who just downed a few too many of the joint's caffeinated brews.
Co-headlining the bill were a pair of locally revered acts. New Jersey native, Laura Cheadle, sang, strummed, and swayed her way through a batch of her soulful jazz / R&B hybrids, while Philly's Downtown Harvest played enough funky alt-rock to satisfy most any Friday night craving.
Williamsport's Lucas Carpenter served as the night's opening act. Carpenter could easily be described as either a singer-songwriter, but “one man band” is a more apt description. Friday's performance wasn't a novelty, but, instead, a talented, humorous guitarist who made copious use of a looper to provide his backing vocals and percussion as he played. Selections were played from each of Carpenter's three albums, providing a mix of jangly mid-tempo numbers, as well as some funkier and more rockin' fare. Carpenter's stamina was overwhelming, and his fierce strumming made it difficult for his guitar to remain very in tune.
The PA system had passed its first test of the evening. But things were far from over. Up next was Downtown Harvest. The rock-rap-funk-pop-hodgepodge collective has two albums out on Malogna Records, both of which were ably represented during the May 30th set. Among the highlights of the performances was a rousing rendition of “Something Elephants,” a fan favorite from last year's Golden Dragon. Hearing the band's recorded output (with its extremely tight production) is an experience in itself.
Seeing Downtown Harvest live reveals what incredible musicians the guys truly are. Saxophones, synths, pounding drums and bass, and tactful guitar playing combine with multiple vocalists to fill out the band's highly danceable tunes. Motown and 70's funk influences – which came across subtly on the local quartet's two albums – were much more evident at the Milkboy gig.
In addition to the previously released material, fans were treated to some songs from the upcoming DTH record, the irreverently monikered Taco Hospital. First was “Captain I Hate My Life,” which, apart from a hilarious title, sports a B-52's style riff and the punchy blend of alterna-funk-intensity for which Downtown Harvest has become known and loved. Later on came the surprisingly bluesy “Anita Leave,” also set for release on Taco Hospital. This was more of a departure for the band, and yet, they sounded pretty well at home playing the tune. Good news for the upcoming LP, it seems!
The fact that Downtown Harvest alternates vocalists, instruments, and even genre from song to song helps to keep the group's albums fresh and thrilling. This characteristic is also true of the band's live show. In fact, the only negative thing to be said for the entire Milkboy set is that, perhaps, Downtown Harvest's sound was a bit too powerful for the venue's modest PA system. But who ever let that get in the way of rock 'n roll?!
Closing out the night was Laura Cheadle. Backed by a band that included two other Cheadle's (father James and brother Jimmy), the young singer played a high energy set that may have come as a pleasant shock to fans of the oft-mellow mood set on her self-released debut, Falling In. This is not to say it didn't include its share of slow, sultry musical moments. One of the best performances of the night may well have been the jazzy “Midst of Your Memory.” And this was certainly a fitting coffeehouse set. Three songs in, the husky scent of coffee beans abruptly filled the air. It might have been the pots getting cleaned out near the night's end, but the aroma fit the jazzy vibe to a T, and one almost expected the ghost of Allen Ginsberg to waft into the room.
Coffeehouses or concert halls, Laura Cheadle has a bright future among the current crop of young songwriters. What sets her apart, though, is that her roots are planted firmly in the past. An acoustic guitar strapped to Cheadle's back through most of the set, her robust voice was clearly the centerpiece of each song. Etta James and Ray Charles both echoed in the material, much of which is available both of Falling In and her Live album. Norah Jones, Fiona Apple, and a few others have had success in the past decade or so with similar musical formulae, but Cheadle's appreciation for the soul and blues of the 60's gives her music a quality all its own. Add into the equation her remarkable stage presence, her personal lyrics, and her session-ready band, and you've got a winning R&B combination.
It was really a treat to be able to see three talented acts from the area in such an intimate venue. One look at the show's bill might've led some to wonder what common threads there were among the night's three artists; but it was the perfect atmosphere for a group of students and full-time employees, just shaking off the cobwebs of another long week. Sometimes, playing music well for an enthusiastic crowd is more than enough to bring different artists together. In the words of local music publicist, S.J. Dibai, “Rock on!"
Co-headlining the bill were a pair of locally revered acts. New Jersey native, Laura Cheadle, sang, strummed, and swayed her way through a batch of her soulful jazz / R&B hybrids, while Philly's Downtown Harvest played enough funky alt-rock to satisfy most any Friday night craving.
Williamsport's Lucas Carpenter served as the night's opening act. Carpenter could easily be described as either a singer-songwriter, but “one man band” is a more apt description. Friday's performance wasn't a novelty, but, instead, a talented, humorous guitarist who made copious use of a looper to provide his backing vocals and percussion as he played. Selections were played from each of Carpenter's three albums, providing a mix of jangly mid-tempo numbers, as well as some funkier and more rockin' fare. Carpenter's stamina was overwhelming, and his fierce strumming made it difficult for his guitar to remain very in tune.
The PA system had passed its first test of the evening. But things were far from over. Up next was Downtown Harvest. The rock-rap-funk-pop-hodgepodge collective has two albums out on Malogna Records, both of which were ably represented during the May 30th set. Among the highlights of the performances was a rousing rendition of “Something Elephants,” a fan favorite from last year's Golden Dragon. Hearing the band's recorded output (with its extremely tight production) is an experience in itself.
Seeing Downtown Harvest live reveals what incredible musicians the guys truly are. Saxophones, synths, pounding drums and bass, and tactful guitar playing combine with multiple vocalists to fill out the band's highly danceable tunes. Motown and 70's funk influences – which came across subtly on the local quartet's two albums – were much more evident at the Milkboy gig.
In addition to the previously released material, fans were treated to some songs from the upcoming DTH record, the irreverently monikered Taco Hospital. First was “Captain I Hate My Life,” which, apart from a hilarious title, sports a B-52's style riff and the punchy blend of alterna-funk-intensity for which Downtown Harvest has become known and loved. Later on came the surprisingly bluesy “Anita Leave,” also set for release on Taco Hospital. This was more of a departure for the band, and yet, they sounded pretty well at home playing the tune. Good news for the upcoming LP, it seems!
The fact that Downtown Harvest alternates vocalists, instruments, and even genre from song to song helps to keep the group's albums fresh and thrilling. This characteristic is also true of the band's live show. In fact, the only negative thing to be said for the entire Milkboy set is that, perhaps, Downtown Harvest's sound was a bit too powerful for the venue's modest PA system. But who ever let that get in the way of rock 'n roll?!
Closing out the night was Laura Cheadle. Backed by a band that included two other Cheadle's (father James and brother Jimmy), the young singer played a high energy set that may have come as a pleasant shock to fans of the oft-mellow mood set on her self-released debut, Falling In. This is not to say it didn't include its share of slow, sultry musical moments. One of the best performances of the night may well have been the jazzy “Midst of Your Memory.” And this was certainly a fitting coffeehouse set. Three songs in, the husky scent of coffee beans abruptly filled the air. It might have been the pots getting cleaned out near the night's end, but the aroma fit the jazzy vibe to a T, and one almost expected the ghost of Allen Ginsberg to waft into the room.
Coffeehouses or concert halls, Laura Cheadle has a bright future among the current crop of young songwriters. What sets her apart, though, is that her roots are planted firmly in the past. An acoustic guitar strapped to Cheadle's back through most of the set, her robust voice was clearly the centerpiece of each song. Etta James and Ray Charles both echoed in the material, much of which is available both of Falling In and her Live album. Norah Jones, Fiona Apple, and a few others have had success in the past decade or so with similar musical formulae, but Cheadle's appreciation for the soul and blues of the 60's gives her music a quality all its own. Add into the equation her remarkable stage presence, her personal lyrics, and her session-ready band, and you've got a winning R&B combination.
It was really a treat to be able to see three talented acts from the area in such an intimate venue. One look at the show's bill might've led some to wonder what common threads there were among the night's three artists; but it was the perfect atmosphere for a group of students and full-time employees, just shaking off the cobwebs of another long week. Sometimes, playing music well for an enthusiastic crowd is more than enough to bring different artists together. In the words of local music publicist, S.J. Dibai, “Rock on!"