Review: Dawes

Dawes is a California band that sounds of another era in more ways than one. Its music is steeped in the 1970s and the environment that produced the sounds of Jackson Browne, Warren Zevon, the Eagles, and Crosby, Stills and Nash. Rather than writing pop nuggets and hoping they stick to the Top 40 charts, Dawes generates a sound, a vibe that resonates as a whole, as a sum of the sounds and subtle moods it renders in each song.

Monday night, Dawes headlined a show at Crossroads KC. The show had originally been scheduled for Saturday night but was postponed for two days because of inclement weather. Moving the date of a show at the last minute is always a risk. Moving one from a weekend night to a Monday is even riskier. I was told more than 600 were expected on Saturday. Monday’s crowd was less than half that size. The postponement came with another sacrifice: Singer William Elliott Whitmore was no longer on the bill.

Those who showed up made the best of a perfect late-summer night and the wealth of space in the place and gave the headliner a sustained, warm welcome. It responded enthusiastically to “How Far We’ve Come” and “When My Time Comes,” and it swayed gently to hymns like “Time Spent in Los Angeles” and “A Little Bit of Everything.” 

Dawes is a quartet led by brothers Taylor and Griffin Goldsmith. Taylor has a voice that can sound like Jackson Browne in his “Late for the Sky” days. The band itself evokes those days, back when the Eagles were getting huge and Browne and Zevon and Linda Ronstadt were cutting albums with session aces such as Waddy Wachtel and David Lindley. On “Million Dollar Bill,” they sounded a lot like the Band. (Dawes has backed Robbie Robertson live). They also generate similarities to the Avett Brothers.

The charms of Dawes’ songs are subtle. Few are immediately arresting; rather they tend to open themselves to an embrace. But all the elements of classic songwriting are there: melodies, harmonies and thoughtful lyrics. The show lasted about 100 minutes and the set list drew most of its tracks from “Nothing Is Wrong,” the second of the band’s two studio albums. The sound was crisp all night, but the volume felt high, due in part, perhaps, to the lack of bodies in the place. This show could have been moved to a few clubs in town, but thankfully it wasn’t. The idyllic weather complemented the music perfectly.

The highlights were the songs mentioned above, plus “Something in Common,” “That Western Skyline” and “If I Wanted Someone,” which sounded like a fusion of Browne and the Eagles. But really the entire set felt like one piece, a recital, an excursion back to a time when the music mattered first and was appreciated for it.

Quiet Corral: The openers are a six-piece Lawrence band whose sound gelled nicely with the headliner's. They generated plenty ofappealing  electric folk/pop reverie, the kind associated with bands like the Lumineers and Mumford and Sons, but with an engaging twist or two. Highly recommended, if that's your thing.

| Timothy Finn, The Star

Comments

[Penny]

Good review... Loved Dawes and Quiet Corral was also lovely. Amazing night for great music in an intimate setting...

[onthemark]

Good show. I was not overly familiar with Dawes going in, the Jackson Browne/Eagles references are accurate. Another song they played reminded me a bit of the Neil Young/Crazy Horse sound, at least at first.

Keep an eye open for 'Quiet Corral', those guys were very talented, very entertaining. Look for big things from them!

Perfect night for an outdoor show, a not quite full moon sailing overhead, warm but not hot, nice crowd, good venue. All in all a good night of live music!

[Billy]

""electric folk/pop reverie, the kind associated with bands like the Lumineers and Mumford and Son""

ugh, music to yawn to. Thanks, but (not counting rap crap) I cant think of anything I would want to listen to less than that what you described.

What happened to good old rock and roll. Did ya'll just get too old?

[NEW]

DT, repeat after me "live and let live". I'm sure you listen to a fair share of what a lot of people would also consider crap yet I do not see anyone getting on your case about it. Just let people listen to what they want for Chirsts sake!

[Geordan]

Couldn't make the show, but on OTM's recommendation, will have to check out Quiet Corral!

[Billy]

What are you whining about NEW?
Whose case did I get on? Or are you just in a bad mood today and feel like lashing out for no good reason?

[onthemark]

I can assure you that anyone who was there and saw Quiet Corral's final song of their set would say it was about as far from yawn inducing as it gets. Those guys were rocking pretty hard! A very percussion driven tune, it featured several members of the band switching off instruments throughout the song all while keeping the beat. It was one of those shows where I came away mightily impressed by a band that an hour before I had never even heard of!

[NEW]

"Did ya'll just get too old?"

Sure sounds like getting on peoples case to me.

[Billy]

If you take it personally and think it is about you, well, then that is on you, not me. Have a beer, things will be better tomorrow.

[KC Jones]

Will it be better tomorrow?
Because I'm pretty sure there will still be the same old crap-centric worthless ranting about nothing. ...a pathetic broken record...

blah blah Crossroads... poop... blah blah mellow fest... port-o-potties... blah blah 70's rock rulez... air-conditioning... blah blah your mom... blah blah dump... wood chips... blah blah death by cholera/lightning/broken ankle/scurvy/west nile virus...

signed, Rick, Ricky, Tricky Dicky, Bill, Billy, William, Bob, Joe, Fred, Pete, Frank, etc.

repeat ad infinitum.

[Wells]

Lol @ the phish idiot.

[KC Jones]

nice comeback.

[Peter]

blah blah Crossroads... poop... blah blah mellow fest... port-o-potties... blah blah 70's rock rulez... air-conditioning... blah blah your mom... blah blah dump... wood chips... blah blah death by cholera/lightning/broken ankle/scurvy/west nile virus...

[Richard]

Whoa, Jones was right...
a new day but still the same old crap-centric worthless ranting about nothing.

He must be a fortune teller or something.

;)

[pellboy]

Gee and all this time I thought those were all different posters slamming on The Crossroads.

[onthemark]

Pellboy, I know there is the occasional random comment regarding the Crossroads. But I like the place.

For example, Monday night I got to park right out front for free. An easy stroll into the venue. All employees I spoke to were unfailingly polite and courteous. I stood right up front next to the stage for a bit and when I turn around I see a nice view of the downtown skyline at sunset. When I am up on the patio I get a nice view of the Hyatt and the Western Auto sign.

The wood chips are much preferable to asphalt or gravel, makes for a comfortable surface. There are various sculptures throughout along with rope lighting, kitschy decorations, up-lighting on the trees. I will concede that $5 for a small cup of beer is kind of high. My only trip to the inside restroom revealed no waiting AND running water.

Although I did not eat there, a buddy of mine bought a slice of pizza that was huge, and he said quite tasty. Everyone there was enjoying themselves, the sound system was clear and the volume was just right.

All in all a pretty cool venue, has that downtown urban vibe to it. Considering it used to be an empty lot I give a lot of credit to the owners for making something out of it.

[pellboy]

Oh yeah, no problem with the joint from my end, otm. Even when nothing available in that front lot, they offer an ample, fenced-in, well-lit and FREE lot just one block SE. And since discovering the $3 "yard" (Old Style, Hamms, Schlitz, etc.) beers inside Grinders, I really don't even have that much of a problem with the beer prices. And yes, the pizza (as well as other chow) from Grinders is outstanding.

I suppose there are some minor criticisms that can be levied on that venue, but certainly nothing bad enough to keep me away from seeing a show there. Have so far only been to Fitz & Tantrums this year, but plan on attending Blues Traveler and The Jayhawks before the season closes out, thereby hitting my norm of about 2-3 shows there per summer/fall.

[Mr Smalls]

Oh yeah, no problem with the joint from my end, otm

JOINT??... SEE?!!!
I knew it, you're all on pot!!!

[Roscoe]

Yo, speaking of Mumford and sons (for people, (like NEW) who love and adore them) they will be music guests soon on SNL.

SNL announces....

""Joseph Gordon-Levitt will return to host for the second time on Sept. 22, joined by Mumford & Sons, who will be making their SNL debut.

On Oct. 6, James Bond himself, Daniel Craig, will host, with Muse providing the music""

[NEW]

For the record DT, I loath Mumford and Sons almost as much as your judgemental and ignorant attitude.

[Bob L.]

Before you call someone ignorant, NEW, learn to spell.

[onthemark]

Yep, that Blues Traveler show will be a good one!

[pellboy]

Yeah, otm, I'm not even a huge fan or anything (own maybe 3 or 4 of their records including their new one which is just okay), but I've seen them 2 or 3 times before and they always put on a good show. I think of them the same way as one of their contemporaries, Big Head Todd & the Monsters. Working-class bands that don't really blow me away with their records, but bands that are respectful of their audience and always put on a solid and affordable show. I'm glad for acts like them in this day and age of either long in the tooth or fly by night acts...dependable, meat and potatoes ROCK bands that would NEVER short-change (hear me, Wes Scantlin?) their paying customers.

[Rocky]

""For the record DT, I loath Mumford and Sons almost as much as your judgemental and ignorant attitude.""

Dont judge me man, dont judge me!!

;) hehehe

ps
you can be sure any post chiding for mispelin didnt come from me, I am the wusrt spelr ever.

pps
...and here I thought I was helping out NEW by telling him about his favorite band was playing on SNL.... oh well... the path to Hell is paved with good intentions ... or something like that.

pppps
I LIKE PIZZA!!

[Green]

Maybe backtorockville needs to try a time out room, if someone is trolling and causing problems they could be put into a time out room. They could still view the pages but the posts would be hidden to everyone else. Sure would be nice to not have to read all the negativity in every single review.

[KC Jones]

having to log in before posting might take care of a lot (I.e. spam).

[KC Smith]

All would be solved if 1)the dump would fix its problems (or stop booking shows) and 2)people here would develop a sense of humor.

[KC Smith]

The day they bring law to this wild west blog (force a sign up / log-in) is the day this place will become the PB, NEW, otm, Jones and Green circle jerk central. Do you really want just 5 people (sorry to other I forgot to mention) posting?? How boring would that be?

Actually if you dont like anyone else talking/posting, you can always start your own blog and put a pad lock on it. Here is a link... https://accounts.google.com/ServiceLogin?service=blogger&passive=1209600&continue=http://www.blogger.com/home&followup=http://www.blogger.com/home&ltmpl=start#s01

Start your won blog... see how fun it is... see how long it lasts...

Every Jupiter II needs a Dr Smith.

[Green]

Maybe a facebook log-in, wonder if people would be less crappy if there real name was tied to each post. As far as the rants, how does telling a couple people here bring about any change, we all love the place. Everyone who goes there loves the place. The rants were cute at first but now, a couple years later, pretty lame. If anything the rants take money away from the venue, money that could bring marble bathrooms and gold sinks, how about this, come on out tomorrow night and give it another chance, you might even fall in love with the place.

[Aaron]

And the people have voted..

Crossroads can't be all bad.

Let's petition to close the real dump in Bonner Springs.

https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/378736_409122482480264_1777484652_n.jpg

[Sandy]

"come on out tomorrow night and give it another chance, you might even fall in love with the place."

That is a good idea, come on out, stand in the rain and see if it grows on you.

[pellboy]

At least Dr.Smith was funny.

[seek help]

"Do you really want just 5 people (sorry to other I forgot to mention) posting?? How boring would that be?"

Infinitely less boring than reading yet another two dozen daily pointless rants about the Crossroads and Mellowfests. Now THAT is ####ing boring!

[Robot]

WH-WH-WH-WHAAAA!!!

Man does this full moon have people on the internet grumpier and whinier then usual.... or what..

again... get a fkg sense of humor you old fuddy duddys... maybe buy one.

But if you'd rather have fkg nasty, and you aint seen nasty, BUT we can do nasty if you REALLY WANT IT!

[Robot]

Bunch of self entitled cry babys

[onthemark]

The more posts/opinions the better!

The difference being that NEW, pellboy, Geordan, Bubba, KC Jones, LiveMusicFan, joe, Musicgal, JJ, Green etc. all post comments that are on topic, well written, informative and worth reading…

[gsp]

You should go ahead and get nasty, as you have annoying down pat.

[Endtro]

You realize the entire goal of an internet troll is to divert any conversation off course and onto them or whatever shit they are spewing.

If you really want to make the comments section on here tolerable again, the best course would be to completely ignore the comments.

[onthemark]

Agreed endtro, good advice.

And gsp, let's not go there. This blog is enjoyable when all posters are free to voice their opinions without getting nasty. I for one enjoy my fellow commenters views on music/bands, useful info and tips and their various experiences and memories. Not saying I ALWAYS agree with opinions and/or comments, but it does provide a different viewpoint to consider.

Besides, it sure helps pass the time here at work!