All the signs of spring are upon us. The snow is melting, the weather is getting warmer, and March's Band of the Month Rusted Root started their spring tour. This tour is the band cutting back and going back to the basics. Gone is the big percussion set and keyboards, this tour is Root showcasing their songs.

   The night started backstage with our exclusive interview with the lovely Liz Berlin. We talked about the band being free of their record label, her solo career, and Mr. Smalls, her club in Pittsburgh that she runs with her husband. After our interview was over, we packed our gear and headed to claim our spots in the crowd. On the way out though, we stopped to say a quick hello to lead singer Michael Glabicki, whom was coming off a successful solo acoustic tour of his own before joining back up with the band. One song in particular stood out on that tour, as "Animals Love Touch" was a crowd pleaser, at least the night I saw him in Lancaster, PA. After telling Michael how much we enjoyed the show and song, we bid him farewell and found our seats by the bar and got ready for the show.

   South Jersey boys, Quick Step John (http://www.quickstepjohn.com), opened the show. With a sound similar to O.A.R., Quick Step John had the sold-out crowd grooving to their sound. They had the crowd worked into a frenzy when during "Shiver" they worked the Pink Floyd classic "Run Like Hell" into the free-flowing jam. Through their set Quick Step John won over a lot of fans and proved that they are a band that people should keep an eye on. Don't be surprised when you hear their name more and more in the near future.

   So the time came for Rusted Root to hit the stage and I did my best to scribble down the set list before they came on. Upon looking at the list, I noticed the setlist really only held songs from 1993's When I Woke and 2002's Welcome to my Party, save for a few songs. I was really looking forward to seeing "Jack Kerouac" & the Neil Young cover "Powderfinger."

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   The band sounded as tight as they ever have and showed no signs of rust (pardon the pun) with this being the second night of the tour. One thing that immediately stood out was that drummer Jim Donovan sounded more powerful behind the drum kit than I have ever heard him, and this was my 15th time seeing the band. The jams didn't miss a beat without the added percussion and keyboards that John McDowell brought to the band on the last tour.

   The crowd was juiced by the time the band launched into their smash "Send Me on the Way" and were even more jacked when they went right into the traditional drum jam. For the first time in I do not know how long, the full band was out on the stage for the entire jam. It was great seeing the band out on the stage together genuinely enjoying themselves on stage again. After a killer version of "Back to the Earth," the band left the stage only to see Michael Glabicki come back moments later. Having the setlist already written, I was curious as to what was going to happen next as the encore was supposed to start with "Powderfinger," instead of what has customarily been the spot for a Glabicki solo song.

   Announcing that this song was for a friend, Glabicki launched into "Animals Love Touch." It may or may not have been for me but I am going to take that moment and put it close to the top of the coolest moments since starting this very site. Closing the show on a high note with "Ecstasy," the band continued the positive vibes with what has become their customary position of talking with the fans and signing autographs as the fans are exiting the venue. With solo discs by Glabicki, Berlin, Donovan, and Jenn Wertz either on the way or already here, the solo work seems to have energized the band when they get back together for a tour or record…and that only makes it that much better of a show.

Scott Hamilton
EMPYRE Lounge

Agree or Disagree??? Let me know what you think, email me at hamilton@empyrelounge.com