Son Volt
Date: July 11, 2006 Just Enough Time to Revel For the fifth day of Bluesfest, I was back to the Blacksheep Stage to sample a pair of acts that I really knew only by name and reputation. Although the early set from Mark Kozelek was rather lifeless, the closer from Son Volt was among the most passionate and exciting that I have encountered at the festival. Mark Kozelek is known for his work with Sun Kil Moon and Red House Painters, as well as his solo output. Not being familiar with any of his recordings, I was unsure what to expect; and by the end of his short set, I still don't know if I gained much of a sense of what he's about. He played some pretty sounding songs on the acoustic guitar, but that is exactly the kind of material that is difficult to use for captivating an uninformed audience. Rather than meeting that challenge, Kozelek seemed determined not to engage the crowd, ending songs by shying away from the mic to look down at his one bandmate, also on acoustic guitar, and leaving agonizing pauses between songs. Even his set finish felt abrupt, as he stopped short of his allotted time. Fortunately, Kozelek's early exit meant that Son Volt took the stage early, wasting no time in winning over the crowd. The most immediately notable aspect of Son Volt was their volume. From my position directly in front of the speakers, I was hit with a blast of air with every kick of the bass drum. While the sonic impact was an attention grabber, the band's strong stage presence, fast song pacing, and obvious joy of playing all ensured that they would keep the audience engaged, as did the banter from frontman Jay Farrar. Son Volt is best known as the "other band" to arise from the ashes of Farrar's former outfit, Uncle Tupelo, which also begat Wilco. They certainly do not need to coast on reputation, though. This incarnation of Son Volt, which Farrar assembled last year, proved themselves to be a formidable live unit. The five-piece group kicked up a lot of racket on the noisier numbers but was also capable of keeping things smooth on the more mellow, country-tinged moments. Adding to the musical variety, Farrar utilized electric and acoustic guitars, with his switches to the latter often coinciding with guitarist Brad Rice showcasing his slide skills. My lack of knowledge about the band's songs means that it is hard for me to name highlights of the set; but there really was no letdown. From start to finish, this was a band that seemed to be having a blast on stage; and the audience was always in on the fun. After the set finally did wind down, Farrar returned to deliver an unaided acoustic song before bringing out the rest of the band for a wild finish that included a nod to the blues in the form of RL Burnside's "Going Down South." After an hour and a half, my Son Volt initiation was complete, leaving me blown away. Theirs was among the most passionate performances that I have seen in this year's Bluesfest, leaving them as easily my favourite surprise of the festival. Son Volt setlist (courtesy the cooperation of a guy at the front): 
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