We braved the I-5 on Sunday and saw Will at The Tractor Tavern in Seattle. Ballard, actually - we had a few hours to wander around - it's a nice part of town - industrial buildings, mostly - repurposed into shops, restaurants, but still with a grungy feel.
Opening act was Shelby Earl, followed by Hoots & Hellmouth, a four-piece roots-acoustic band from Philadelphia, Those boys are hard on strings, man - great energy, lots of foot-stomping on custom plywood platforms, complete with floor mikes to pick up the percussion.
Will came out, tuned his guitar and instruments - "very unprofessional, sorry you had to see this" - opened with 'Cold and Dead', which never fails to bring a shiver. That raw emotion he brings to his show is a pleasure to watch. 'Hub Cale' followed, many drinks were lined up on the stage. "I think somebody slipped something in my drink", he said at one point. to a young woman in the front, he said "If you wanted me, all you had to do was ask."
Lee County Flood, Song of the Blackbird, Digging My Grave, Gravel Road, Lee County Brew, Black Iowa Dirt - complete with a hilarious story about "blowin' shit up" - "you get a bunch of hillbillies, with some beer, and some black powder" - "washing machines, dryers, bowling balls..."
Will was very gracious, interrupting his set a couple of times to walk the front of the stage, shaking hands. He thanked the audience for coming such a long way - there were a few from Vancouver - for their long drives, pointed out a few people, friends from Iowa, cousins, newlyweds.
A high point for me was a great version of Bad Religion's 'Don't Pray On Me'. Outstanding.
here's a link to the same song from a show in Amsterdam last month:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UCZxkQ1YkaIHome at 3 AM - well worth it.