Show Review

In support of their latest release The Magnificent Distance, Chris Robinson and the New Earth Mud made a stop at Hartford’s Webster Theater. In front of a far from sold out crowd, Chris and NEM had the task of filling the room on their own. With Chris’ soulful blues sound backed by NEM’s (Audley Freed, Rob Barraco, George Reiff, and Stevie D) beats and melodies, it wasn’t much of a task.

They kicked things off with “Hi-Speed Transportation LA City Limit Blues” segueing into a spacey jam which led to the mellow “Mother of Stone.” Things remained somewhat low key with “Tonight I’ll Be Staying Here With You” and “Cold Wind Blows.” With “Tonight,” Barraco’s presence was made known as you could hear hints of the Dead in his jam. “Cold Wind Blows” gave Robinson the opportunity to show off the range that he has become famous for. The dark edge to this number laid the groundwork for the band to build upon and set a perfect tone as NEM then broke out the new crowd favorite “40 Days.” As the crowd sang along, the band brought things up a notch.

“Close Up The Honky Tonks” changed the pace a bit, introducing a little southern down-home groove. The variety of styles kept the crowd pulled in tight; not really knowing what was to be expected. Another crowd pleaser, and the only appearance from the previous album, “Sunday Sound” helped maintain the wave NEM had created. Full participation from the crowd was inevitable on this already NEM classic. “Hot Buttered Biscuit Jam” led to the nice surprise of a cover of the Dead’s “Deal.” The wave crested beautifully as the room was full of the sound from the band and the crowd as the set came to a close. The one-song encore, “Sing Me Back Home,” wrapped things up perfectly bringing the crowd back down from the top of the wave.

Hi-Speed Transportation LA City Limit Blues

Tonight I’ll Be Staying Here With You

40 Days

DUB Parade (1st time played)

Sin City

Hot Buttered Biscuit Jam

- Encore -