Tuning the Devil's Harp with the Barr Brothers

These days the guys in the Slip have diversified so much that it’s rare to see BAM onstage just as The Slip. That doesn’t mean that the boys aren’t making amazing music. The newest side project is B and A’s take on beautiful folksy/Americana music (yes I realize the band is Canadian, but its still Americana!), The Barr Brothers. The brothers Barr are joined by some friends from Montreal, this tour is harpist Sarah Page and multi-instrumentalist Andres Vial.

Last Memorial Day weekend the band rolled through Providence to deliver a great show at the artsy Firehouse 13. The somewhat short set (they only have one album) featured pretty much every tune on the album plus a number from brad’s solo guitar album, The Fall Apartment, and some new gems. There are certain themes and imagery that find themselves at the core of this band’s music - women that got away, the Devil, mythology, searching, reflection - that differ from the Slip’s more abstract lyrical canon. Whether principal songwriter Brad Barr has been evaluating his own life or letting Nathan Moore’s influence seep in to his musical subconscious is not known, what is known is the personal connection the listener makes with these lyrics is more intense than I’ve experienced with the Slip or Surprise me.

Slow ballads like “Cloud” and “Beggar in the Morning” showcase Brad’s more delicate side whilst singing in a register most befitting to his vocal prowess. A friend of mine thinks that the lyrics to “Cloud” could be adapted into a children’s book and as I listen to the song I can visualize the imagery and message of this wonderful song, Different sounds and textures added to Barr’s songs (I saw him do most of these at a solo show a couple years ago) provided a finely woven musical quilt that would keep anybody warm on a cold winters day. Now you may not dance your ass off, like at Surprise Me at their best or have your bell rung by the avant-rock soundscapes of the Slip but you will find yourself tapping along with a smile as these 4 musicians make beautiful music with Barr’s best lyrics to date as a focal point. If you haven’t bought this CD yet, do it NOW. And go see them if they ever get out of the northeast.

Opener: n/a
Venue Info:
Beer sitch: Full beer and Wine Bar. Ranging from Murphys Stout to Narraganset Tall Boys for $2.50.
Parking: easy, free parking on the street.
Layout: Rock club atmosphere in an old Firehouse. GA, about 10 rows of folding chairs were set up.
Capacity: not sure, probably 200 or so. About 1/2 full

Set List: (72min) Beggar in the Morning, Gone, Old Mythologies, Give the Devil Back His Heart, Ooh Belle, The Devil's Harp, Lord I Just Can't Keep From Crying, Sarah Through the Wall, If You Leave Me, Cloud

E: (13min)Deacon's Son, Let There Be Horses