Last year marked the thirtieth anniversary of Soul Asylum’s “Grave Dancer’s Union, ” an album that introduced the band to a mass audience. Soul Asylum put out a successful follow-up, “Let Your Dim Light Shine,” a few years later in 1995.
The band rolled into North Tonawanda on Friday for a rare appearance in the Western New York market, and their set relied heavily on the two albums that represented their commercial nadir in the 1990’s. Twelve of the nineteen songs were culled from just those two albums, seven from ‘Union’ and five from ‘Dim Light.’
The reason for the heavy dose of songs from that era is likely twofold, the obvious one being that they are the albums casual fans are most likely to own. The second is the return of drummer extraordinaire Sterling Campbell, who played a pivotal role on the albums.
As has always been, Soul Asylum is led by Dave Pirner, who still looks and performs like an icon of the 1990’s music scene. Pirner is still a commanding presence, and when Pirner is having a good time, the band and the crowd strap themselves in and get ready for a great ride.
Interspersed between the obvious song selections, the band snuck in some deep cuts, including “Home Sweet Home,” a song Pirner wrote with Alex Etheridge, a 13-year-old songwriter who passed away earlier this year after a courageous battle with cancer.
What makes the show work is its authenticity. In an era with tightly scripted live shows enhanced with pre-recorded vocal tracks or instrumentation, seeing a band like Soul Asylum plug in and play loud and fast is refreshing.
Pirner’s vocals are still strong, and whether he performs newer or latter-era material sounds fresh and fun. They are well worth the cost of a concert ticket.
Opening the show was an acoustic set from Living Colour lead singer Corey Glover, who knows how to work a crowd. Glover relied on his vocal prowess in his set and was a master at encouraging audience participation and connecting with attendees.
Setlist:
Shut Down
Somebody to Shove
Misery
Whatcha Need
String of pearls
New World
By the Way
Eyes of a Child
Spinnin’
I Will Still be Laughing
Lately
99%
Hopped Up Feelin’
Home Sweet Home
If I Told You
Black Gold
Runaway Train
Closer to the Stars
Just like Anyone
Encore:
April Fool
Photos by Gus Griesinger
We would like to thank Ralfael Castro from the Riviera Theatre for the credentials to review the show.
