The joy of living in the moment is perfectly captured in the performance of Session Americana tonight. This superb ensemble really inspired a capacity crowd in the intimate surroundings of the Cherry Tree venue, located in the suburbs of South Dublin. Local promoter Paul Lee has been a keen supporter of independent artists over many years and his enthusiasm to continue featuring international acts of tonight’s calibre and quality is to be admired. How frustrating that illness on the night prevented him from enjoying the fruits of his labour that brought the band here.
Session Americana return to Ireland after an absence caused as much by Covid lockdown as anything else, and the six musicians kick off their European tour tonight in Dublin. The band formed in Cambridge, Massachusetts back in 2004 and has built an impressive following over many years of playing shows and believing in their ability to create music of real substance. For the current tour long-time members include Ry Cavanaugh (guitars, vocals), Dinty Child (accordion, mandocello, field organ, vocals), Jon Bistline (bass, keys, vocals), Billy Beard (drums, percussion, vocals), and Jim Fitting (harmonica, vocals). They are joined by the very talented Eleanor Buckland on fiddle, acoustic guitar and vocals. Her pedigree has been proven with her time in the band Lula Wiles and onwards to a solo career that has seen her talents blossom. She speaks of her pleasure being in the company of such consummate musicians and being looked after by “five uncles.”
The gig tonight comprises eighteen songs with a mid-way break for the audience to purchase some merchandise from the “manager of fulfilment,” Jim Fitting. It’s an opportunity for the audience to also say hello to the other band members and adds to the sense of being part of an extended family who are all gathered in celebration of a shared experience. The music is of a very high standard as the six musicians swap instruments and vocal duties on a regular basis during the very generous set.
The songs played cover eight of the many albums released by the band and Eleanor is featured on four separate songs from her own expanding discography. The interplay is a real pleasure to experience and the easy manner in which the musicians interact is a large part of what makes the evening so enjoyable. There is an easy flow across the melodies and the rhythm that these songs invoke and a genuine sense of happiness is evident as the musicians dove-tail together in the performance and their stories from the road.
Throughout the show there is an echo through time and a thread that links the songs of Session Americana to the legendary music of The Band. The understated, subtle drumming and percussive touches from Billy Beard sets the tempo and the impressive bass playing of Jon Bistline locks into a harmonious rhythm section. Ry Cavanaugh is a superb guitarist with his inventive playing adding great colour to the arrangements and Jim Fitting dips regularly into his impressive collection of harmonicas to deliver plenty of great moments. Dinty Child is touring an old field organ and its warm sound is the perfect accompaniment to his sweetly toned accordion and mandocello playing. Adding the fiddle and guitar skills of Eleanor Buckland, the overall sound is bright and expansive despite the vocal parts getting lost in the mix occasionally.
Currently touring a greatest hits album, titled THE RATTLE AND THE CLATTER, the band are celebrating twenty years together and the set list covers many favourites, including cover versions of the Tom Rush classic, Merrimack County and the Grateful Dead song Brown Eyed Woman. The eclectic mix of instruments brings a timeless quality to the set and the songs include a nod to americana, blues, country, and folk genres as the band deliver an impressive display of all that is good in roots music today. The pace never falters and highlights include the wonderful blues vocal of Jim Fitting on songs like Making Hay and Mississippi Mud, together with the superb Beer Town sung by Dinty Child with great vocal dexterity, and its catchy chorus is a big favourite with the audience. Other highlights are songs It’s Not Texas, Raking Through the Ashes, Driving, Love Changes Everything and When the Dust Has Settled (yet to be recorded). Eleanor also impresses with insightful songs from her solo album, I’m Not Saying and Don’t Look Down showcasing her quality.
This is a very welcome return visit from a band that has developed strong links to Ireland and judging by the full venue tonight the musicians are guaranteed a warm reception any time that they wish to return.
Review and photographs by Paul McGee