Nicki Bluhm and the Gramblers @ McNear’s Mystic Theatre – May 2
Photos and Words: Paul Citone
Last Thursday night McNear’s Mystic Theatre in Petaluma, California hosted Nicki Bluhm and the Gramblers. The historic Mystic Theatre, a venue in the heart of downtown Petaluma, was erected in 1911 and fits 550 guests. It’s a mere 45 minute drive from San Francisco and is one of the best venues I have been to in the area.
[All Photos by Paul Citone]
Bluhm and her band are touring behind the release of two new tracks, Ravenous and Little Too Late, off their upcoming album. As with many, I first heard of this band thanks to their ingenious “Van Sessions” series of videos which show the Ramblers on the road playing songs in their van. After one view I was immediately hooked. The new tracks from the upcoming album are more edgy on bass and rhythms than her 2011 album, Driftwood.
Bassist and ALO vet Steve Adams got the crowd excited with his great vocals on the popular American folk song – Sitting On Top Of The World. Nicki and the band even covered a song by the opening act, The Easy Leaves, called Another Rolling Stone which proved to be a crowd pleaser in its own right. Lead guitarist Deren Ney, a childhood friend of Nicki’s, really fits in with this bunch as he laid down some killer guitar solos that complemented the band’s country and blues roots.
The highlight of the evening for me was seeing guitarist Dave Mulligan, Nicki and her husband and fellow Grambler Tim perform In The Mountains, a song by artist Sarah Siskind. It’s a treat whenever they perform this song, which features Nicki on guitar with backing vocals by Dave and Tim, and it never gets old. In talking with the Bluhms, they appeared very grateful and respectful for all of their successes and are looking forward to this year bringing some of their greatest shows. The pair are very much still lovebirds and I wish them all the best. They have some pretty big gigs lined up this summer including debut appearances at Bonnaroo and Newport Folk. Catch these guys on tour this spring and summer, all across the country.
