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Local Denver folk-rocker, Nathaniel Rateliff, debuted his new musical endeavor last Thursday at the Bluebird Theater accompanied by soul outfit, The Night Sweats. Opening for The Fray frontman’s solo project, KING, this marked the band’s first live performance and single release celebration.
The Night Sweats, a seven-piece ensemble (drums, keys, bass, guitar, trumpet, and alto & bass sax), took the stage first decked out in full suits. In classic soul style, they began to play and sway in an introductory number as Rateliff sauntered onto the stage. Hearing Rateliff’s traditionally gentle and alluring vocals morph into that of a bellowing soul god with “Trying so Hard Not to Know” the night immediately shifted from exciting to epic. Channeling the dance moves of James Brown, Rateliff spastically skittered across the stage bringing a soul revival to the Denver theater.
A wise man in the crowd was overheard to say, “There is great happiness in the unexpected.” That well-summarizes the audience’s reaction to Rateliff, for both those familiar and unfamiliar with his previous projects.
With each song played, you could feel the energy in the crowd build with desperate frenzy to sample more. “What’s your name?” a woman frantically called out in the middle of their set. Other debut songs included “I Need Never Get Old”, “Howling at Nothing” and “Look it Here”.
The band’s five-song set brought the house down with closer “Son of a Bitch”. The number begins soft with The Night Sweats silent on their instruments and providing only a backdrop of handclaps and humming (think Thurston Harris “Little Bitty Pretty One”). In line with Rateliff’s signature heartfelt lyrics, he preaches, “I’m going to cover myself in the ashes of you and nobody’s going to give a damn.” Unlike Rateliff’s other projects though, this is where the band explodes and Rateliff wails, “Son of a bitch! Get me a drink!” The song continues on this churning rollercoaster between quiet handclaps and energy bomb refrains, causing a convulsive wave of glee throughout the audience.
If you’re in Colorado, definitely make it your business to catch Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats at one (or both) of their two upcoming shows.
05/17/13 @ The Boulder Theater in support of The
James Hunter Six
05/24/13 @ Mishawaka Amphitheatre in support of
Dawes
The Night Sweats, a seven-piece ensemble (drums, keys, bass, guitar, trumpet, and alto & bass sax), took the stage first decked out in full suits. In classic soul style, they began to play and sway in an introductory number as Rateliff sauntered onto the stage. Hearing Rateliff’s traditionally gentle and alluring vocals morph into that of a bellowing soul god with “Trying so Hard Not to Know” the night immediately shifted from exciting to epic. Channeling the dance moves of James Brown, Rateliff spastically skittered across the stage bringing a soul revival to the Denver theater.
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NATHANIEL RATELIFF
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With each song played, you could feel the energy in the crowd build with desperate frenzy to sample more. “What’s your name?” a woman frantically called out in the middle of their set. Other debut songs included “I Need Never Get Old”, “Howling at Nothing” and “Look it Here”.
The band’s five-song set brought the house down with closer “Son of a Bitch”. The number begins soft with The Night Sweats silent on their instruments and providing only a backdrop of handclaps and humming (think Thurston Harris “Little Bitty Pretty One”). In line with Rateliff’s signature heartfelt lyrics, he preaches, “I’m going to cover myself in the ashes of you and nobody’s going to give a damn.” Unlike Rateliff’s other projects though, this is where the band explodes and Rateliff wails, “Son of a bitch! Get me a drink!” The song continues on this churning rollercoaster between quiet handclaps and energy bomb refrains, causing a convulsive wave of glee throughout the audience.
If you’re in Colorado, definitely make it your business to catch Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats at one (or both) of their two upcoming shows.
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Nathaniel Rateliff at the Bluebird Theater, Denver (04/25/13) |
