REVIEW: Midnight Choir Delivers a Diverse Evening of Bluegrass
04/16 @ Caffè Lena, Saratoga
Photos by Tom Miller
“…this power trio offered a rich mix of originals and classics that left the crowd fully satisfied.”
Bluegrass is an intriguing genre because it comes in so many different forms and flavors. Recently at Caffè Lena, the Capital Region’s own Midnight Choir showcased that diversity with a show that offered something for just about every musical appetite.
Midnight Choir is a versatile three-piece band hailing from upstate New York. It currently features founder Jeff Wasbes on guitar and vocals, Jake Ali on mandolin, and Jon Doll on stand-up bass. Each member is talented in his own right, and together they form an impressively cohesive bluegrass trio.
The midweek Caffè Lena crowd seemed to include many friends, family members, and fellow musicians. Several guests I spoke with mentioned Wasbes’ generosity, noting that they had taken part in a bluegrass jam session he hosts at a local venue. Others spoke of his willingness to share his knowledge and help amateur artists develop their skills during workshops at the annual Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival.
Though he played only mandolin this evening, Ali is a multi-instrumentalist trained and proficient in several stringed and wind instruments. He is also an active member of the area Irish rock band Maggie’s Clan, in which he plays fiddle. Doll, meanwhile, is a founding member of Driftwood, an Americana/folk-rock band from Binghamton, New York. Before returning to New York, he was a familiar presence on the bluegrass scene in Cincinnati, Ohio.
As expected, the setlist included many tracks from the band’s recently released self-titled album. Those originals immediately made it clear that Midnight Choir is not afraid to push beyond the boundaries of traditional bluegrass. Standouts from the mostly instrumental first set included “Curveball,” “From An Of,” “Waltzenen,” and “Through The Trees.” Paying homage to their musical roots, the band also performed the Lester Flatt classic “I’ll Stay Around,” the Tony Rice numbers “Old Gray Coat” and “Port Tobacco,” as well as “Dawg Waltz” by David Grisman and Jerry Garcia.
Set two continued along a similar path. The trio performed more originals, including “Mountain Lake,” “Sunflowers,” and “June Fox.” Listeners were also treated to a new, unreleased single, “Down to Me and You,” written and sung by Wasbes. Covers in the second set featured another Grisman tune, “Key Signator,” “Gentle on My Mind” by Glen Campbell, and the Nickel Creek favorite “21st of May.” Ali also had the opportunity to showcase his incredible mandolin skills on a hard-hitting version of “One Dog Night” by the Matt Flinner Trio.
By the end of the evening, Midnight Choir had led the audience through a wide range of bluegrass styles. From traditional to newgrass, folk to contemporary, this power trio offered a rich mix of originals and classics that left the crowd fully satisfied.