Never having been to Saxbys, I almost drove past is on Lansdale’s Broad Street, seeing first only the sign for the coffee house’s other half, Abington Bank (photo evidence).
It was a little odd to be sipping a [delicious] chai latte and listening to Philly folk artist Kevin James Devine play his CD Release show while people were applying for loans about 15 feet away, but Saxbys was charming and provided the perfect backdrop for a guy with his acoustic to connect with his audience.
I arrived during sound check, along with a dozen or so others who sat gossiping and drinking hot beverages on the cold night. Following sound check, Devine’s shoeless friend Matt Leece, in whose basement Devine’s Through the Fields was recorded, opened with a short three song set on his acoustic. While Matt’s vocals seemed slightly flat, his guitar playing was outstanding, my favorite stretch coming at the end of his final song. The fast and catchy strumming was oddly out of place amongst the mellow backdrop of the song, but was nonetheless invigorating.
Devine took to the “stage” immediately following his opener, beginning with “Winter,” a mellow and melodic tune inspired by loneliness. The recorded version features Devine’s talent on the harmonica, while this night’s live version was enhanced by a twangy tinge from accompanist Leece on guitar. Devine’s soulful harmonica playing came out, much to my delight, on follow up “As Long As I Love You So,” a sweet love song; “Doesn’t matter where we go / As long as I love you so.”
“Carry Me” displayed Devine’s great potential for songwriting and his talents on the guitar and harmonica. Still green in the world of music, it seems as if Devine isn’t yet utilizing his full vocal range and would benefit from some vocal training to actualize his full talents. Yet, with such an eclectic sound, from the upbeat “Dancing in the Streets” to the tender and emotional “Wait For Me,” it’s no wonder that Devine is garnering attention through local radio including Drexel’s WKDU, Delaware’s WSTW, and Elizabethtown’s WWEC to name a few.
Many thanks to Kevin for the Popwreckoning shout out following a wonderful rendition of fellow Philadelphians’ Good Old War‘s “Coney Island” (watch below and the original here). The dark and lovely “Love You Well” followed, accompanied by a wonderfully complex rhythm guitar part by Leece.
Devine ended the set with the first single from Through The Field, “Long Way To Go” (watch below). Leece’s flourishes on the rhythm guitar seemed a bit odd, but the lively song was the perfect end to a great show.
Set List:
Winter
As Long As I Love You So
Carry Me
Dancing in the Streets
Wait For Me
Honey Island (Good Old War)
Love You Well
Dark is the Night
City of Steel
Long Way To Go
Kevin James Devine: myspace | interview with
Photo: my blackberry.
