[rating=7.00]
It’s hardly a coincidence that this is the third live album The Wood Brothers have released since vocalist/multi-instrumentalist Jano Rix united with siblings Chris and Oliver. In the interim since issuing Sky High and Nail & Tooth, the threesome has honed the natural chemistry in only the early stages of development there to reveal a spontaneity that oftentimes makes the trio sound like a much larger ensemble.
Captured at the rustic Woodstock New York studio of the late drummer and vocalist of The Band- Levon Helm- Live at The Barn doesn’t render obsolete the previous collections of concert recordings. It does, however, boast the advantage of mixing material recorded since those prior 2012 titles– “Honey Jar” comes from 2013’s The Muse–with tunes that go back to the Woods’ early days as a duo–“Tried and Tempted” is an excerpt from their debut album Ways Not to Lose (released the same year of 2006 that the Live at Tonic EP accurately summarized that phase of their career).
The 2016 concert recordings exemplify the understated charm by which the Wood Brothers beguile their audiences. For instance, they understate the ode to good times called “I Got Loaded,” in the same proportion they so wryly accept the less cheerful state of mind at the heart of “Postcards From Hell.” Such clear emotional expression is a direct reflection of the audio quality of this recording too; Chris’ runs with his stand-up bass, Oliver’s biting electric guitar fills and Rix’ punchy, emphatic drum work resonate equally on tracks like “Tried and Tempted.” And this immaculate sound also illuminates the economy with which the Wood Brothers interact instrumentally; just as there are no wasted notes played or sung, neither are there unnecessary ones.
The black and white tones of the performance photo that adorns the cover of Live at The Barn belies the kinetic energy of the Wood Brothers’ musicianship as Jano Rix’ drumming underpins and punctuates it. And unlike so many of their Americana peers who have to reach for their own style, this band maintains an intuitive feel for their influences even as they transcend them. So, “Ophelia,” from the last great studio album by The Band, Northern Lights Southern Cross, comes across as much as an expression of affection as a testament to roots, particularly in the way the Woods’ emulate the Band via the trade-off in lead vocals (and the blend of the siblings’ voices with Rix’ singing is only a little less uncanny).
It’s this kind of subtlety that makes that number as effective a closer to this single disc as it is for a Wood Brothers’ concert. And to extend that high compliment to its logical extension, Live at The Barn is the next best thing to seeing one of the group’s shows.
