{image1}Legend has it that King Arthur brought the Knights of the Round Table together as an act of camaraderie and chivalry, ushering in ideals of mutual respect and civility. Knights would share with one another tales of their deeds and adventures over a nice chalice of mead.
Wednesday's show at The Pabst played basically to the same merits of mutual respect and admiration for a job well done. The talk was of musicianship, love, heartache and politics, shared over a nice cold Pabst Blue Ribbon. No Lancelot and Guinevere here, but Sir Philips, Sir Wilson and Lady Starr provided a most entertaining and vibrant show in all of Camelot ... er, Milwaukee.
On a nearly bare stage, Garrison Starr, Glen Philips and Dan Wilson enjoyed the friendly confines and each other's company while plucking away to their own songs. The comfortable and genuine friendliness among the performers was clearly evident in the constant witty banter between them and with the audience. Also evident was the mutual respect. So gracious and sincere were their praises to each other, it was easy to like the trio immediately.
The audience quickly embraced the buddy-performers and set in for a roller coaster night full of laughs, stories, tight harmonies, ample amounts of fun and good humor, and most importantly, great performances.
Glen Philips, the former lead singer of Toad The Wet Sprocket, started the musical hot potato with his signature voice ringing out as clear as a bell. That voice, boyish but not deep, rich in tone and inflection, climbed the melodic ladder from sweet and somber to loud and rollicking, then instantly switched into intellectual or silly, whatever the mood called for. Philips' highlights included "Easier," Toad favorite "All I Want" and "True," written with Wilson.
Dan Wilson, the front man for the Twin Cities' Semisonic, certainly could be the jester in tonight's performance. Quick-witted and clever, Wilson's comedic timing rivals that of his catchy, sing-along-able tunes. His lanky frame and black-rimmed glasses make Wilson a unique character, a trait that shines through in many of his songs, whether it is a love song like "When I Wake Up," a funky ditty like "I Want You" or an upbeat tune like "Closing Time."
Garrison Starr -- who released one CD on Milwaukee's Back Porch label a couple years back -- may be the lesser known of the three amigos but her incredible talent and amped up personality are all the qualifications she needs. Hailing from the South, her sweet-and-sour mixes of edgy lyrics, gritty yet feminine voice, and sassy stage presence make her an up-and-comer ready to bust lose. Her funny anecdotes about cheese curds, politics, and her stubborn cold showcase her natural stage presence. Highlights included "The Other Side," "Superhero" and, yes, her whistling.
Part storytelling, part improv, part comedy hour, the The Pabst show was the first of five Songwriter Roundtables with Philips, Wilson and Starr. The spontaneity, the music, the unmistakable bond between the trio, all lent themselves to an astounding show. This is one symbiotic relationship that reminds us of what is so special about live performances.
