By Pennman
Wednesday, October 28, 2009 6:06 PM CDT
Webb Wilder at Webbfest at the Capitol. Photo by Pennman 10-3-1009.
Click on thumbnails below for larger photos:
Bowling Green got a treat tonight as Webb Fest IV came to the Capitol. Webb Wilder’s biggest fans organize and/or attend these annual fan festivals, and they come from all over the country. Those of us who are not in that inner circle but love his music just the same (and there are plenty of us here in Bowling Green and its’ surroundings, as evidenced by all the Wilder requests on D93 FM) were the big beneficiaries in all of this. Not only did we get a nice, long, sit and get comfy double set of Wilder’s music, the evening opened with one of his infamous short films too. Wilder was very available to everyone before, after, and during the intermission, so it was a special evening.
The screening was of the film “Scattergun”, a tale about Wilder’s private eye persona coming to the aid of his misguided nephew, who gets in way deep with rural mobsters (Mississippi based, I believe) who kidnap his girlfriend and give him a week to come up with what he owes. With elements of trailer trash, dumb thugs, inept detective work, and just plain dumb luck humor, the film had its’ moments. Overall, it moved along a little bit too slowly for me, but hey, it does take place in the South. I did like the black and white format as it added to the grittiness of the subject matter. Wilder has made several short films over his career, and many are cult classics that get air play on cable TV. He’s a bit of a renaissance man.
As for the concert, there was well over two hours of music; a rarity in today’s music scene. But then again, this was not just a concert; Webb Fest has more of the feel of Webb sitting around with family and a few close friends playing some songs. The Capitol provide this setting well as it’s big enough to accommodate a nice-sized crowd but small enough to provide a level of intimacy. Wilder’s band, The Beatnecks, is superb. Bob Williams provides so much of the hot licks and tender little niceties which give Wilder’s music a richness and tone seldom matched. Both Wilder and Williams had an impressive collection of guitars on stage that were switched often. I’m sure the guitars, along with the equipment, have a lot to do with that tone also. Tom Comet is ever-present on bass and backing vocals, and Jimmy Lester just obliterates on drums.
Then there’s Wilder himself. His voice has great tone too, he trades licks with Williams and switches off to rhythm seamlessly, and provides healthy doses of humor, irreverence, and animation generously.. It all makes for a truly unique musical experience and it’s great entertainment. He can rock with the best of them (“Human Cannonball”, “Baby Please Don’t Go”, “Loud Music”, “Hittin Where It Hurts”). He can show a tender side (“Romantic” and “Too Cool For Love”). He can throw in some elements of pop (“Pretty Is As Pretty Does” and “Pretty Little Lights of Town” (rockabilly in here also). He can time travel back to the 60s (“I Had Too Much To Dream Last Night”). Here’s a little quiz for all you casual fans. Who originally recorded this last one? (Don’t bother all you Webb Heads, I know that you know!) Actually, you might say he goes back way further than the 60s, since there’s hints of Elvis (50s) in many of his songs and a cover of Big Joe Williams (30s). It’s no wonder many call Wilder’s music roots music. I just call it good time music. Wilder is a master of fusion.
If you missed this show and wish you hadn’t, you have another couple of chances. Wilder is playing at Jim Porter’s Good Time Emporium in Louisville on October 16th and at 3rd and Lindsley in Nashville on October 17th. If you can get there I strongly recommend it. Go to www.webbwilder.com for more info. There’s a wealth of information there.
Webb Wilder played Capitol Arts Center, Bowling Green, KY on 10-3-2009
Pennman bought his first 45 at age nine and has been hooked on rock ever since. He has spent much of his disposable income on music, especially live performances. He writes reviews of the shows he sees and keeps a keen lookout for upcoming shows in or near Bowling Green. He has a BA in Communications, specializing in journalism, and has dabbled in music himself, both as a player and instructor. Find more of Pennman's work at www.associatedcontent.com/user/165511/pennman.html or visit him at www.myspace.com/pennman_bg or www.facebook.com/pennman
Tommy Lee wrote on Oct 29, 2009 8:45 AM:
Thanks, Pennman!
See ya next year. "