Rusted Root

Written By: admin on June 23, 2009 No Comment

Rusted Root
6/13/2009
Event Rating: ★★½☆☆
Venue: Revolution Live – Fort Lauderdale, FL
Presented by: Live Nation

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Ok, some may not fully agree on the categorization of “World Music“… well, although there may be reasons that may seem valid otherwise, when you draw so many influences from different styles of music around the world that are so distinctively strong… that to me is world music.

I can honestly say that everybody in this band has great rhythm. Usually most bands will rely on the drummer to keep a good rhythm. But all members showed great individual rhythm. Liz, for example rocked the percussion while singing. I made it a point to follow the beats she was doing, and they were really impeccable. pict2281

This show started really good… for the first few songs everyone was into it. You looked at the crowd and the people were either bobbing heads or jumping up and down to the drum and beat. They even threw in a cover medley starting with “Superstition” – Stevie Wonder going all the way to Jimi Hendrix’s version of “All Along the Watchtower” and back to Wonder. After the first few songs for about an hour it seemed like the crowd was sleeping as they played some of their not too active, almost (to the crowd) “boring” songs. I guess if 1 or 2 of their more popular songs were mixed in, the audience would have probably stayed a little more lively during that time.

…But, just like a math cosine it started to pick up after their cover of Elvis’ “Suspicious Minds”. The people started up again with the head bobbing and tribal dancing. Of course at the very end they gave the crowd the songs they wanted, the ones they kept screaming for: “Blue Diamonds”, “Ecstasy”, and finally “Send Me On My Way”.

pict2285 Their onstage presence is very relaxed and at home. Actually it’s almost like being with them while they “jam” in the studio. They talk to each other, smile, laugh, improvise and seem to enjoy doing so. For the most part the songs are well written and presented, lyrically and musically.