NSN Casey Driessen, The Duhks 2-1-09

It was Superbowl Sunday and the TV's were on. We guesstimated we'd get underway about an hour late at 9pm and go 'til 11. Many times the Superbowl gets boring long before the end, so we were ready to get going with the show as soon as we could, but wouldn't you know it, this year it came down to the final seconds. Finally, we got on at 9:15 and it was worth the wait. Casey Driessen is a Nashville-based fiddle player who is much in demand as a sideman for Steve Earle, Bela Fleck, Jim Lauderdale, John Mayer, Blue Merle and many others, opened. He's a bold musical explorer and when he steps out on his own, he does it with his group he calls the Colorfools, and we had 'em tonight, showcasing songs from the Grammy-nominated CD "3D," and a new one coming later this year.

Hummingbirds
Sugarfoot Rag
Uncontinental Breakfast
Conversation With Death
Rose Tea
Jerusalem Ridge
Flexible Helix


Then it was late, but no one was leaving and the crowd kept growing for The Duhks. Great Nashville musicians like Bela Fleck, Gabe Dixon, Beau Stapleton and others were in the audience to see and hear this great Canadian band. Since their last visit, they'd added a new vocalist, Sarah Dugas, and her brother, Christian, on drums. Nashville producer Jay Joyce, who was also in the audience, produced their fine new album "Fast Paced World," and the vast majority of the set was songs from the new record:

Mighty Storm
Fast Paced World *
Adam's 3-Step / This Fall
New Rigged Ship
Toujours Vouloir
You Don't See It *
95 South
Death Came A'Knockin'
Ship High In Transit (listed as S.H.I.T. on the written setlist-ha ha)
Les Blues Cadien
Whole Lotta Love

The whole band showed off on that surprising, hard-rockin' yet bluegrass flavored cover of the Zep classic and Sarah unleashed rock vocals on it that would've made Plant proud.