Andrew McMahon's 'Winter in the Wilderness' leads him home

Andrew McMahon at The Coach House on Dec. 19, 2019.
Photo: Bob Steshetz

Who: Andrew McMahon, Ivory Layne
Where: The Coach House, 33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, CA
When: Thursday, December 19, 2019
Information: andrewmcmahon.com


Review by Robert Kinsler

Photography by Bob Steshetz

Few artists have blended power pop, indie rock and classic song craft with the grace, power and confidence of singer-songwriter-pianist Andrew McMahon.

First as the leader of pop punk champions Something Corporate (1998-2006) before founding Jack's Mannequin in 2004 and subsequently performing under the moniker of Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness beginning in 2014, the Dana Hills High School graduate has carved a musical path firmly anchored by his memorable and deeply-affecting songs.

Over the course of 105 magical minutes on Thursday night (Dec. 19, 2019), McMahon delivered an exhilarating mostly-solo concert before a capacity crowd of adoring fans at the Coach House in San Juan Capistrano. This was truly a hometown show for McMahon; the Coach House was the first major venue to host a concert from McMahon and his Something Corporate band mates, and the artist lives in nearby Dana Point.

"I'll tell you what, this is where it all began," said McMahon, noting he was a senior in high school when the band performed at the venue in September 1999. 

When McMahon came out on stage at 9 p.m. sharp, he was greeted by thunderous cheers. The festive atmosphere was enhanced by a stage decorated with a Christmas tree on one side and several stockings positioned on a decorative replica of a fireplace mantel shelf where they were hung with care. 

He quickly launched into the beautiful "Caves," a song from his 2008 Jack's Mannequin album The Glass Passenger that offered an honest and striking look at his own battle with cancer (acute lymphoblastic leukemia) following the diagnosis in late 2005. The song found him excavating beautiful notes one moment and unleashing sonic thunder the next from the Baldwin piano that was his constant companion this night.

While "Caves" wouldn't be the only song to deal with such serious material, this was definitely a night about celebration. Indeed, McMahon's next selection ("Fire Escape") was bolstered by a rousing sing-along. The euphoric "Holiday From Real," decidedly darker "I Want to Save You" (with McMahon's wonderful vocals showcased) and reworked take on his joyful "High Dive" were other early-set standouts."Ohio" showcased how McMahon is a master at blending vivid lyrical imagery with compelling storytelling over the course of a song, with the added bonus he can deliver these mini-epics with additional power on a concert stage.

Another powerful song performed in the first half of the set was "The Resolution," another track that addressed the artist's battle with cancer. Seated at his piano and singing out the potent line "I'm Alive / I don't need a witness" was particularly powerful. Even sans backing band, McMahon's talents at the piano and his top-tier vocals provided an all-embracing performance that was palpable.

This was an audience that was engaged from the start, often singing or clapping along in ways that enhanced McMahon's stirring approach. 

McMahon noted he has only written one Christmas song - and this being the holiday season – it was the perfect time to hear the artist talk about the events that gave rise to the creation of 2005's "The Light and Buzz" (he wrote the chorus in his head while recovering in a hospital room). His performance was powerful, with the acoustic piano providing a rich warmth to the yuletide cut.

Ivory Layne, left, with Andrew McMahon at The Coach House.

Nashville-based songstress Ivory Layne – who had kicked off the special night with a 30-minute set of original acoustic-flavored material – joined McMahon during the latter part of his regular set and for part of the encore. The two artists' voices are definitely a perfect fit, and the audience loved those moments for sure (one fan next to me yelled out for the two to record an album together; I'd vote for that too).



The two first sang together on "Dead Man's Dollar," a track off McMahon's 2017 disc Zombies on Broadway. The studio's big choruses didn't suffer from the sparse arrangement; Layne and McMahon lifted their voices triumphantly and the crowd clapped along during key moments. Their harmonies added additional sway.

The wistful "Paper Rain," Jack's Mannequin gem "Dark Blue" and a cover of the Cyndi Lauper hit "Time After Time" were similarly boosted by their tandem talents. 

McMahon ended the regular set alone with his piano, reworking Something Corporate's 2002 alternative rock favorite "I Woke Up in a Car" and his shining 2014 hit "Cecilia and the Satellite" as acoustic showcases.

The wonderful encore was icing on the party to be sure, with a short take on Something Corporate's "Konstantine" and full-length "Walking By" leading up to another duet with Layne (the uptempo "Walking in My Sleep") and night-ending "La La Lie," the latter sing-along-anchored closer preceded by McMahon telling everyone "Thank you for welcoming me home."  


Make sure to read writer George A. Paul's terrific preview of the 'Winter in the Wilderness' concert event on his Music Minded blog here.







Andrew McMahon 'Winter in the Wilderness' Setlist at The Coach House

1. Caves (Jack's Mannequin cover)
2. Fire Escape
3. Holiday From Real (Jack's Mannequin cover)
4. I Want to Save You (Something Corporate cover)
5. High Dive
6. Ohio
7. Cavanaugh Park (Something Corporate cover)
8. The Resolution (Jack's Mannequin cover)
9  The Lights and Buzz (Jack's Mannequin cover)
10. So Close
11. Watch the Sky (Something Corporate cover)
12. Dead Man's Dollar (duet with Ivory Layne)
13. Paper Rain (duet with Ivory Layne)
14. Dark Blue (Jack's Mannequin cover - duet with Ivory Layne)
15. Time After Time (Cyndi Lauper cover - duet with Ivory Layne)
16. I Woke Up in a Car (Something Corporate cover)
17. Cecilia and the Satellite

Encore
18. Konstantine (Something Corporate cover)
19. Walking By (Something Corporate cover)
20. Walking in My Sleep (duet with Ivory Layne)
21. La La Lie (Jack's Mannequin cover)

Late-2018 discs among the year's best

While 2018 will soon be over, a number of must-hear albums have just been released and are well worth exploring.

Artist: Andrew McMahon
Title: Upside Down Flowers (Fantasy)
You might like if you enjoy: Andrew McMahon, Jack's Mannequin, Roger Joseph Manning Jr.
Tell me more: One of the most insightful and talented artists of his generation, Andrew McMahon has scored success fronting Something Corporate, Jack's Mannequin and Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness. On his newly-issued solo LP Upside Down Flowers, McMahon uses his uncanny ability to examine and exhume the world around him and put it all into song. The disc's opening tracks find the singer-songwriter-pianist revisiting his past, from his family's move from Ohio to Southern California ("Ohio") to his formative teenage years in Orange County breaking through with his indie rock troupe Something Corporate (courtesy of the wistful "Teenage Rockstars"). McMahon has the ability to create songs that are both literate and musically enthralling as evidenced by the evocative "Monday Flowers," chamber pop of "This Wild Ride," melodic rocker "Goodnight, Rock and Roll," the introspective "House in the Trees" and Beatlesque "Penelope." McMahon embarks on his highly-anticipated "Upside Down Flowers" North American tour on January 23, 2019. Information: AndrewMcMahon.com.

Artist: Paul Kelly
Title: Nature (Cooking Vinyl)
You might like if you enjoy: Neil Finn, Bruce Cockburn, John Hiatt
Tell me more: Paul Kelly's new LP combines poetry from five literary masters (Dylan Thomas, Walt Whitman, Sylvia Plath, Gerard Manley Hopkins and Phillip Larkin) as well as his own prose with a shared theme reflecting the disc's title Nature. The songcraft is as glorious as the verse with a diverse soundscape encompassing folk rock (the propulsive "With the One I Love"), Celtic-tinged folk ("And Death Shall Have No Dominion," "A Bastard Like Me"), baroque pop ("The River Song") and Americana ("Little Wolf," "Morning Storm," "The Trees"). The lush neo-classical "Bound to Follow (Aisling Song)" features soprano Kate Miller-Heidke and further captures the exhilarating spirit of this special project that simultaneously and magically celebrates the power of poetry, song and the natural world. Information: PaulKelly.com.au.

Artist: Glen Campbell
Title: Sings For The King (Capitol/UMe)
You might like if you enjoy: Glen Campbell, Elvis Presley
Tell me more: Fans of both Elvis Presley and Glen Campbell will be in amazed after hearing the astounding new collection Sings For The King. From 1964 to 1968 – an especially productive time for Campbell highlighted by his touring duties with the Beach Boys, high-profile studio work as lead guitarist with the Wrecking Crew and a burgeoning solo career – Campbell was recruited to record songs for Elvis Presley. Now more than a half century after Campbell made these recordings, 18 of the rescued tracks have been released as Sings For The King (available on audio CD, vinyl and digitally). A dozen of the songs on the disc would ultimately be recorded by Presley, but these versions feature Campbell and he uses his voice to showcase how they would sound if sung by Presley (who did ultimately record his own versions of a dozen of the songs heard on the set). Beginning with the gospel-flavored "We Call On Him" where the voices of Presley and Campbell are both featured to clearly demonstrate how closely the Rhinestone Cowboy could mirror the King of Rock and Roll's tone, the collection offers a great mix of strong material. There are rousing rockers ("Spinout," "Magic Fire" and "Anyone Can Play"), Southern soul ("All I Needed Was The Rain"), and tender ballads ("Cross My Heart And Hope To Die," "There Is So Much World To See"). One of the most interesting songs is "I Got Love" which begins with Campbell sounding like himself against a sparse guitar backdrop before the song picks up and his voice adopts Presley's signature styling. The collection concludes with the lovely "Restless," a ballad never covered by Presley; how wonderful to hear the song sung by Campbell as he conjures up the legacy of both artists. Information: GlenCampbell.com.

Artist: Dennis Roger Reed with Don Reed
Title: Before It Was Before (Plastic Meltdown Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Mumford & Sons, Bob Dylan
Tell me more: With an artistic spirit directed at the strength of a song rather than its specific genre, singer-songwriter Dennis Roger Reed and his brother Don Reed have crafted a freewheeling album (Before It Was Before) mixing up originals and covers spanning country-western, folk, western swing, blues and even a bit of bluegrass. There is an intimacy and warmth across the 21-track collection with ballads and uptempo cuts exuding an inviting touch. The driving "I Had to Ride," affecting "Reconciliation," and country ballad "Up Until Now" all wonderful Reed-penned originals. Among the joyful covers is a countrified take on Bob Dylan's uptempo "If Not For You," a reflective reworking of Michael Hall's "River of Love" an artful reading of the traditional instrumental "Corrina Corrina" and a country rock version of Randy Meisner's "Hearts on Fire." Information: DennisRogerReed.com.




Robert Kinsler

Vintage Trouble, Main Squeeze, Brother Yusef impress at House of Blues Anaheim grand opening

Singer Ty Taylor and bassist Rick Barrio Dill of the band Vintage Trouble at the opening of
House of Blues Anaheim on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017. Photo: Robert Kinsler

Blues Brothers Dan Aykroyd, left, and Jim Belushi introducing Vintage Trouble
at the opening of House of Blues Anaheim on Saturday, February 25, 2017.
Photo: Robert Kinsler

For those who scored admission to the grand opening of the new House of Blues Anaheim on Saturday night (Feb. 25, 2017) located at the Anaheim GardenWalk, there were plenty of reasons to celebrate. There is far more room to roam than there was at the previous smaller location located in Downtown Disney that closed in May 2016; there are great sight lines in the various rooms (large and small) that featured live music throughout the event. An impressive lineup of concerts has already been announced, including performances from Orange County-based artists Social Distortion this week and Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness in early March.

Guitarist Nalle Colt and drummer Richard Danielson
of the band Vintage Trouble performing on Feb. 25.
Photo: Robert Kinsler

Beyond being among the first to see the first new House of Blues location in nine years, getting to catch up-and-coming rock 'n' soul quartet Vintage Trouble made getting into the venue a priority for yours truly. The band was the event's headliner, and delivered a powerful 65-minute set that allowed the Los Angeles-based outfit to perform well-known favorites as well as new material that will likely be featured on their next album. From the moment the foursome took the stage, they seemed on a mission to win over those who hadn't yet somehow heard of the band as well as reward longtime fans with another memorable show to treasure.

Ty Taylor of the band Vintage Trouble singing at
House  of Blues Anaheim on February 25, 2017.
Photo: Robert Kinsler

Among the early standouts in the band's set was the soulful R&B ballad "Doin' What You Were Doin'," a cut on the group's 2015 album 1 Hopeful Rd. While singer Ty Taylor is a dynamic and powerful frontman who inspires with his physical presence and dazzling stage moves, he is equally gifted with a great voice able to convey emotion with the range of the late great artists Sam Cooke and Otis Redding. 

Although it was a treat when the Blues Brothers (Dan Aykroyd in his alter ego of Elwood Blues and Jim Belushi in the role of Brother Zee Blues) introduced Vintage Trouble, imagine the crowd's surprise when the two performers joined Vintage Trouble on stage to join forces on a fun-filled version of the old '50s jump blues tune "Flip Flop and Fly." Aykroyd (in the role of Elwood Blues) blew some mighty harmonica and everyone on stage had a genuine blast in the moment. 

Vintage Trouble thrilling the crowd at the grand opening
celebration of the new House of Blues Anaheim on Feb. 25,
2017. Photo credit: Robert Kinsler

The group performed several impressive new songs (I don't know the exact titles, so I won't guess) that were strong, as well as well-known songs from their previous studio albums including the potent soulful rocker "Knock Me Out," the freewheeling "Run Like the River" where Taylor ventured far into the crowd, and the powerful "Not Alright By Me." Vintage Trouble closed with a blistering version of their infectious rocker "Blues Hand Me Down." This marked my fifth time catching Vintage Trouble live, and I remain convinced they are one of the best live acts making music today. In addition to Taylor, Vintage Trouble's original lineup includes guitarist Nalle Colt, drummer Richard Danielson and bassist Rick Barrio Dill.

Performing just before Vintage Trouble, the Main Squeeze brought a hard-hitting funk sound to Anaheim. Headed by sweet-voiced vocalist Corey Frye, the band impressed with heavy grooves and an impressive duel pitting guitarist Max Newman and keyboardist Ben "Smiley" Silverstein against each other on the cool "Dr. Funk."

Brother Yusef playing at House of Blues Anaheim.
Photo credit: Robert Kinsler

I was truly impressed by area bluesman Brother Yusef, whose self-described "organic Deep Fried Fattback Blues" really brought an authentic tone to the night. His mix of virtuoso guitar play and real life emotion came alive via "Nothing But the Blues," one of several original songs I caught him performing.


Review and photos:
Robert Kinsler