The highlights of both nights were her songs Nothing But The Water from the 2005 debut album of the same name, Apologies from 2007’s This Is Somewhere and Paris (Ooh La La) & Medicine from last year’s self-titled release. NBTW started off acoustically coming out of that segment of the show and worked its way up to a full-tilt rocker. Paris is a great sing-along. Medicine made for a rousing end of set number.
On the second night, Grace reached back into the catalog to play Toothbrush & My Table as a special request. And that’s the thing about this band: they seem eager to please. The conundrum the band seems stuck in though is intriguing. It is clear that they are being groomed for mainstream success. Very deliberately they are being steered away from the jam band scene that gave them early support. They won a 2006 Jammy award for “Best New Groove” and Grace performed an electrifying version of Cortez The Killer at the award show fronting an all-star band that featured Steve Kimock, Joe Satriani and Stephen Perkins of Jane’s Addiction. GP+tN also opened for Gov’t Mule in 2007 with Grace & Warren regularly guesting with the other’s band for amazing covers. But now Ms. Potter is more glamour and glitz. In tiny slinky dresses that sparkle in the lights, she looks like a modern day white Tina Turner. And much like The Queen of Rock & Roll, she works the stage with ecstatic dance moves while she belts out her songs. Towards the end of the show she had me thinking of Tina & the Ikettes’ Proud Mary.
But the band looks radically different than they did just two years ago when they were all in jeans, boots and t-shirts. Now the group seems to prefer slinky dresses and white suits. And although they rock out hard, the guys with their beards, mustaches and shaggy hair look a bit like the Geico cavemen all dressed up. Now, Grace’s hair is a bit blonder and more glamorous. But none of this is a bad thing as Potter and her group are a very talented young band. It is clear they have big goals. And with a front woman as sexy as Ms. Potter and a voice as big as hers, they are poised to do just that.
All GP+tN need to propel them into the big time is one hit. This band needs their Everlong like the Foo Fighters or Buddy Holly like Weezer or Hook like Blues Traveler to take things to that next level. But let’s be clear on one thing, the band is willing to put forth the effort with a stunning live show and the fans are ready.
By the time the Nocturnals came out for their encores on night two, the balcony was shaking. Mr. Yurco started off alone on an acoustic guitar playing a solo that quoted Zeppelin’s Tangerine and then Heart’s Crazy On You. Grace and the rest of the band came back out, Benny grabbed his Les Paul and the band played a rousing version of the Heart classic. Medicine followed and sent the fans out into the hard driving rain completely satisfied.
Next time they come around, the venue will most likely be bigger, the ticket even harder to get. But you should make sure to check them out. A voice as powerful as Grace’s doesn’t show up on the music scene more than maybe once a decade. Now is the time to experience this one.
2 Responses
I saw them at 9:30 in DC the next night. You are right this band is moving up in the world. Next time they come around I see Theatres and halls in there future, and they should. They’ve at it for five/six years now. I great band to see live.
Interesting review – so many comparisons…
They never seemed to be a jam band from out of the chute – way back, like 8 years ago, it was soul and blues and then some funk and then came the rock…wait, there might even be more! That’s what so cool about GPN, they do it all so well. The metamorphosis of this band has been a thrill to witness.