Photo by Suzanne Davis
For my second experience at the uber-intimate Treehouse literally just steps from the DC/MD border, I had the pleasure of enjoying a bluegrass spiritual. Now I’ve seen Sean Hoots & the boys on a few other occasions but this time it was something special. A living room filled with approximately 30 seats felt just right. Sean & Rob (mandolin), original members, matched each other with spot-on harmonies. In addition to the stand-up bass, a drum kit was added as well. Still, the more raucous vibe that some may have seen before was a bit more subdued. Perhaps this was to preserve the floor (minus the normal stomp boards).
For those who have been following the band, they have certainly changed. Sean Hoots informed the audience Andrew “Hellmouth” Gray had left in order to return to teaching. As a fellow teacher, my heart is torn. I certainly think the students that get his energy are quite lucky. Yet the energetic, raucous presence on stage was sorely missed. Although Sean’s songs have a bit of a more soulish quality to them, Andrew’s had a simply undeniable building energy. They rose from a whisper to a howl. The band’s tribute to their old member with it’s building and thoughtful lyrics provided me with the acknowledgment I needed.
Now for the differences between this and other Hoots shows: The band had to stifle some level of their lively foot-stomping atmosphere. Even with the normal foot-tapping, the floor boards were shifting beneath my feet. I know the wood floor in my apartment would be long gone after a Hoots show.
Where the old Hoots was more of an power bluegrass band, the new band has a new focal point. Sean Hoots’ vocals drive the songs from trad grass to a southern spiritual mix. On old favorites like “Home in a Boxcar,” and the a cappella vocal jam that capped the show, Hoots’ pipes took center stage. The hollerin’ may have been more under control, but as always Sean’s voice both powerful and tender by turns imbues each line with emotion.
Photo by Suzanne Davis
With a focus on new material, Sean was field testing a number of songs that’d been written quite recently. Hoots played a variety of tunes available on the website “Threadbare,” “Picked by the Root,” and “Apple Like a Wrecking Ball” (available in their “woodshed” here http://hootsandhellmouth.tumblr.com/). While I’m a huge proponent of the incredible live energy of the band, these tracks definitely seemed like I wasn’t ready to appreciate them yet. But that’s the way it goes with Hoots, each listen and the song somehow seems to know how to blossom that way.
While the affair was certainly more tame than in the past, Hoots has changed. The band’s lineup has shifted but emerged as something else. The new focus on vocals reminded me of the transition from early Dead records to the lyrics, melody and vocal focus of Workingman and American Beauty. Here’s to Sean and the new singer/songwriter direction of his band. I’ll be sure to pick up the record when it comes out.
About the author: Jeff is a teacher in the Boston area. When not buried correcting papers, Jeff can be found plucking various stringed instruments and listening to all types of americana music.