The vintage-sounding singer and his band kicked off a Midwest tour at St. Cecilia Music Center on Thursday, playing rock-hued tunes from an upcoming studio album live for the first time.
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Pokey LaFarge has carved out his own distinctive musical space in the world.
The Illinois-bred, St. Louis-based singer-songwriter’s milieu of Prohibition Era jazz, old-timey folk and ragtimey roots music has earned him widespread critical praise, and for good reason: It’s an authentic-sounding approach with a fresh twist for the New Millennium.
But LaFarge isn’t about to stand still musically, either, and he proved it Thursday night at St. Cecilia Music Center in Grand Rapids in the kickoff concert to a February Midwest tour aimed at testing out some new material featured in an upcoming studio album.
Following a set by St. Louis country-folk singer Jack Grelle – and an opening volley of several classic LaFarge numbers (including the title track from 2015’s “Something in the Water” that had one couple dancing in the aisles in the refurbished Royce Auditorium) – LaFarge and his supremely talented six-piece band plunged enthusiastically into several songs from “Manic Revelations” slated for release this spring.
While the Grand Rapids audience of about 500 was the first to ever hear these tunes live, the crowd reacted with real zeal to these unfamiliar songs which were saturated with an early rock ‘n’ roll and soul vibe, including “Riot In the Streets,” “Must Be a Reason” and “I Will Never Change.”
“We’re in an experimental mood right now,” LaFarge conceded, and it was clear the he and his bandmates were excited about showcasing their new material live for the first time. (They play a sold-out show at The Ark in Ann Arbor on Friday night.)
With robust instrumentation that included guitars, saxophones, trumpet, banjo, drums, harmonica, clarinet, bones, stand-up bass and more, the group seamlessly integrated its new and old songs, with LaFarge even leaving the stage briefly to let his bandmates play a couple of songs on their own.
Even with his newest material, LaFarge – clad in rolled-up jeans and a sportcoat which he later removed to reveal a simple white T-shirt – can’t escape the charming, time-machine quality of his music, which is steeped with vintage tones and propelled by LaFarge’s throwback vocals.
And that’s just fine with his fans.
“This feels really good in here,” LaFarge crowed at one point, scanning his surroundings in Royce Auditorium.
Few attending Thursday night’s concert would disagree.
NEXT UP IN THE ACOUSTIC CAFE SERIES: Los Lonely Boys play St. Cecilia Music Center on March 14. Get tickets online here.
PHOTO GALLERY: Pokey LaFarge at St. Cecilia Music Center (2/9/17)
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