I got to see Judson Claiborne for two nights in Seattle. And you didn’t.
If I sound a bit like a child brandishing my ice cream cone while you have none, well… this is how I felt after hearing this Chicago-based group play both the Can Can at Pike Place and The Sunset Tavern in Ballard. Remarkably, both shows were sparsely attended. Whether this was due to weather or the weeknight, it didn’t matter; the music they shared felt like a treat just for me.
Judson Claiborne, a band and not a person, has the requisite ingredients of a roots-rock outfit: an acoustic-playing singer-songwriter type up front, electric guitar, drums, and bass guitar, all manned by average-looking friendly types that could easily populate any local bookstore or coffee shop. So simple, familiar, and comfortable was their stage set up (except for the pickle-bucket kick drum) that I set my expectations low.
When Judson Claiborne took the stage, it was so early, I thought they might be doing a sound check (there were two other patrons in the room). Further, the early notes coming out of the guitars were so sparse and tentative, I was sure they weren’t going to play a song. I’m so happy I was wrong. Chris began singing, and the rest of the band joined in terraced succession: Jamie on drums matching Chris’s acoustic; Ryan adding bass just as needed; and Darrell coloring with the electric. The slow building effect was atmospheric, moody, subtle and powerful all at once. The band quickly surpassed my expectations.
Judson Claiborne uses simple themes and two and three chord combinations that allow so much room, that when they add layers and build to anthemic proportions, they still carry the message of the song, recognizable from its earliest notes. This cohesiveness followed them through their set; whether the next song’s mood lightened or darkened, the formula as vocal-vehicle song-story supported by thoughtful instrumentation held up wonderfully.
Chris Salveter’s uses his lyrical and pleasant voice carefully. Often, his voice is as important to the melodic theme of the songs as for delivering lyrics. The use of some subtle but purposeful instrumental dissonance caught my attention, and when I recognized it both live and on their recordings, it made me feel even more familiar with their music, like an interesting, if a bit quirky, friend. Particularly powerful, I caught myself humming their tune “Twilight Spirit” the day after the show: always a good sign of a great show.
DOWNLOAD: Judson Claiborne - Twilight Spirit (MP3) or Follow us for more Judson Claiborne MP3s (Twitter)
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Good catch, oh masked marvel.
by Ari Sommer on Mon Feb 8, 2010 at 02.42 pm from the entry: St Vincent + Wildbirds and Peacedrums - Doug Fir Lounge (Portland, OR; Feb. 6, 2010)
St. Sincent...ha.
by anonymous on Mon Feb 8, 2010 at 02.04 pm from the entry: St Vincent + Wildbirds and Peacedrums - Doug Fir Lounge (Portland, OR; Feb. 6, 2010)
Aan was amazing.
by jarrod on Mon Feb 8, 2010 at 01.02 pm from the entry: Blue Horns + Morning Teleportation + Aan - Doug Fir Lounge (Portland, OR Jan. 30, 2010)
I’d like to clarify that for this show they cut off the back half of Neumo’s floor with a curtain and had the upstairs bar closed. It made Neumo’s obviously seem much smaller than it is. Unfortunately, now having seen Neumo’s fully open at another show I can say that this show was very empty. Still White Denim and Brazos rocked.
by Chris on Mon Feb 8, 2010 at 01.57 am from the entry: White Denim + Brazos - Neumos (Seattle, WA; Jan. 24, 2010)
I agree, it’s very good. Way to deflate their balloon.
by colin on Mon Feb 8, 2010 at 01.03 am from the entry: Third Annual Portland Music Awards - Crystal Ballroom (Portland, OR; Jan. 28, 2010)
Love the photos. And that “Walkabout” song is the drugs.
by Beth Doreian on Sun Feb 7, 2010 at 01.14 pm from the entry: Atlas Sound + Neon Indian - E&L Auditorium (New York, NY; Feb. 4, 2010)
Wow… really sad there are no Chicago dates for this. Can’t wait to hear how the PHJB benefit compilation sounds. So many amazing musicians and for a really great cause as well.
by MattKlomp on Sat Feb 6, 2010 at 11.26 pm from the entry: My Morning Jacket and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band are about to tackle the SE
That was a fun show and they were terrific. Just to clarify however, neither I nor Corespondents are in the band Judson Clairborne, though you might think it by the photos posted here with no mention of either us in the article.
I caught the tail end of Sunset show and was totally blown away by the beauty! Hope they return!