GranolaBox

I first saw Big Leg Emma a few years ago in a tiny town in the Adirondack Mountains of upstate New York. I had heard of them performing in Western New York but had never seen them. They were really really good. It was a small venue, and there were a hardcore group of 20 or so of us dancing our asses off. Since then I’d been listening to their stuff, and wanting to see them perform again but never quite got around to it.

Seeing them last weekend was my musical treat of the year. The winery, perched on top of a hill overlooking Keuka Lake provided a beautiful backdrop for the show. As the band started there were only a few people, but as more and more people showed up that the winery for tastings, they got lured into Big Leg Emma’s web of infectious grooves.

Since I saw them last, they’ve dropped some of their original members and added Steve Davis on keyboards and vocals, a very welcome addition. The keyboards have broadened the band’s sound and musical borders, enabling them to transcend the status of really, really good to outstanding. As intensely as I boogied the first time I saw them, I rocked twice as hard this time around.

Charity Nuse handles most of the vocals for the band, and she’s really found her voice on many levels, singing equally well on the softer songs, and belting out some great R&B style vocals in their frenzied finale. Steve Johnson has grown as a guitarist, now having the ability to play some crowd-whipping acoustic solos. Fiddle player Amanda Barton reminded me of Sarah Watson from Nickel Creek in both her playing style and intensely cool stage presence. Rad Akers and Steve French provide the drums and bass that makes up a solid rhythm section that leads the band seamlessly from shit-kicking bluegrass to funk to disco on one long extended jam.

(Big Leg Emma: from left Steve Davis, Steve Johnson, Amanda Barton, Steve French, Rod Akers and Charity Nuse)

The band plays mostly originals with a strong bluegrass background, but can go off on wild frenetic tangents with the best of the jam bands. With Steve Davis’ funky organ backdrop, the band can go play bluegrass version of “I Know You Rider” as comfortably as they can Stevie Wonder’s “Superstition.”

The band’s great strength rests on its ability to establish a strong rapport with the audience. By the middle of Sunday’s second set the band had completely captivated the crowd, most of whom had wandered into winery for a stop on their Finger Lakes Winery Tour, but ended up staying in the music tent until the band’s final number.

(my neighbor Doug went barefoot)

The band is big on talent bigger on heart, and are destined for greatness. Club owners, and festival organizers (like those who organize the Grassroots Festival, hint hint) would do well to catch this crew on their way up.

For samples of Big Leg Emma’s music and a couple tasty downloads visit their website or their myspace blog. As good as these recordings are, you have to see them live to get the full BLE experience.

Technorati Tags: Big Leg Emma, Adirondack Mountains, Keuka Lake, Nickel Creek, Finger Lakes Winery Tour, Grassroots Festival

Filed under: Music on July 5th, 2007