Midwest Regional Report

Edited by Natalie Guinsler - dagny_esque@yahoo.com

Editor's Note: I beg of you kind creatures of the Midwest to send me your submissions. Don't be shy. I get plenty of people writing me to tell me they want to review shows, but somehow, they then disappear, never to be heard from again.

Leftover Salmon
Newport Music Hall
Columbus, OH
Oct. 8,1998
Salmon spawns swimmingly at the Newport Warning: Attending a Leftover Salmon show may induce uncontrollable fits of the grins and cause a chronic condition of incessant toe-tappin' and ass-shakin'.

These zany boys from Boulder put the pepper in the Vaseline and the ants in the pants of a 500+ crowd at the Newport Music Hall. Mixing the slapstick humor of the Marx Brothers with their 'polyethnic cajun slamgrass' music style, Leftover Salmon put forth a stellar performance. Let it be noted that almost every band who plays at the Newport for the first time announces their sheer satisfaction with the venue's sound. Leftover Salmon was no exception to this, lending way to a solid, fun-filled performance. On vocals and guitar, Vince Herman is insanely brilliant. Drew Emmitt, a.k.a. mandolin, guitar, and electric fiddle master, honestly has a voice as smooth as a baby's bottom. Absolutely outstanding with his intriguing thumb picking style is Mark Vann on electric banjo. Who can deny Tye North's left-handed Modulus bass funk coupled with the man who helps us dance to the beat of a different drummer, Jeff Sipe.

For those who have not yet had the Salmon experience, all I can tell you is run, don't walk, to the venue they are playing nearest you. I know, I know, it's hard to believe that a band can cross bluegrass, polka, ska, beach music, cajun-zydeco, 'classic rock', and at times hints of reggae without losing a beat, but believe me, Leftover Salmon does just that swimmingly. Even if the music doesn't get you slappin' your knees, their on-stage antics with the head of Mayor McCheese (yes, of McDonald's fame) will.

Pulling out classics like Mama Broulet, Better, Bend in the River, and Whispering Waters, Leftover Salmon had the audience a hoppin'. And of course, throwing in covers of Soul Shakedown, When the Levee Breaks, and Ranking Full Stop gave those unfamiliar with Leftover Salmon something to sing to.

Never failing to amaze and amuse, Leftover Salmon's Oct. 8 show was well worth second helpings.