I Saw Sam Bush in Greenville, SC

[stinsc]

I had the great opportunity to see Sam Bush yesterday at a local establishment in Greenville SC. He played at Horizon Records/Bohemian Cafe, which is part record store/part Cafe. #Just Sam and his guitarist, whom I believe is named Steve Mougin. #It was not widely advertised, and was a free show, partly as a tribute to the record store owner, Gene Berger, a longtime friend of Sam's, and to Sugar Hill Records, Sam's record label. #They set up in the corner of the restaurant, and played for, believe it or not, maybe 200 fans standing and sitting around them. Close up and personal! A great show! I even called my wife and had her drop my 12 yearold daughter off so she could see Sam play. #She loved it also.

They started at around 4pm and they played til 5:30. #They played several songs from the new album... Bringing in the Georgia Mail, Girl from the North Country, I Want To Do Right, Ballad of a Soldier. #Most memorable for me were Brilliancy and Whayasay, which Sam played flawlessly, which is borderline genius in my opinion. #It was just awesome playing, from both musicians. #They ended with a classic BG song that Sam recorded with Tony Rice... I know the song but the title escapes me for now, but Sam kicked off that song with an opening that made the hair on my neck stand on end. #For those of you out there who sometimes wonder, Sam can still play Bluegrass when he wants to, maybe better than anyone. #I just wish he would more often. #I've seen Sam on several occasions, but yesterday, with the setting and just Sam and Steve and Hoss, was hard to beat.

[Links]

Gosh, wish I had known - he is probably playing at the Handlebar tonight - the usual modus operandi of groups that come into town like that. If he is playing tomorrow, I may try and go if I can break away from the football games. He probably played there tonight!

[stinsc]

Sam is playing Saturday night in Charleston, SC and then is back our way again and will play Sunday at the NC Mountain State Fair near Asheville, NC. #I may try to go see him again Sunday evening with my wife.

[tree]

I caught the Sunday evening show at the Mountain State Fair in Asheville, NC, with my family. #Great show, but the venue didn't facilitate good sound (reminded me of Carmichael on the UNC campus, which David Crosby once dubbed The Toilet Bowl because of the horrible sound). #Anyway, the sound man had his work cut out for him, but we moved around a bit and found a place where we could understand the vocals.

It was my first Sam Bush experience, and I loved it. #Sam was great, the show was varied, and his band is top notch (and funky, too). #The highlight of the night was Whole Lotta Love, and I was amazed as much by the selection as I was by the bass player's (Byron House, I think) incredible vocal. #It wasn't just a novelty, they stood and delivered (on fiddle, bass, guitar and banjo, no less). #New Country, the Jean-Luc Ponty tune, was pretty smokin', too. Thoroughly enjoyable show for me, and I got to see him pick Hoss a good bit. #He switched over to a Mandocaster (I think) through a Marshall amp to end up Laps In Seven, and I was amazed by the electric guitar-like tone and sustain (long string bends and everything). #Just an all around entertaining evening. I'd go again anytime.

[jjboone101]

Sam is a great, great entertainer. Like his music or not (and I do), you'll always get your money's worth!