Show Recap: Jonathan Tyler at The Concert Hall in NYC

Butch Walker's Get Ready Get Set, Sad Tour, which will be criss crossing the US over the next two months, made a stop in New York City at The Concert Hall on May 6th. Holding down the middle slot on the tour is Texan Jonathan Tyler, a singer-songwriter-musician whose new record, Holy Smokes releases August 7th. Knowing the music, but never having seen him live, I was anxious to see this artist whose live show I have heard nothing but good things about.

Without a band accompanying him, Tyler performed with only a guitar and harmonica--and what a performance it was. He walked out in jeans, silky top, scarf (which was removed mid-set because it was 80+ degrees that day) and hat, alternately channeling a 70's rocker and a blues musician. While he had an almost gentle stage presence, Tyler visibly immersed himself in his music and exuded a dynamic, passionate soulfulness. His vocals, largely gritty and bluesy, delivered every word with a genuine feeling which seemed to come from a space deep inside. At the start of the set when the amp wasn't working, Tyler adapted and played anyway proving no real need for it (it did start working halfway into the song). In fact, it was when he didn't have that amp or sing directly into the mic when his voice came off as the most powerful. 

Like the opener, France's The Dove and the Wolf, Tyler commented on how quiet the audience was. Perhaps the venue, which was formerly a church, influenced the reverence of the audience who were by large respectful and attentive throughout the under an hour set. In that time, Tyler covered Dylan as well as Haggard and Nelson ["Pancho and Lefty"] and played a few songs from his upcoming album including the bluesy "Down To The City" and the "gnarlier" love song "To Love Is To Fly" [which on the album is a duet with Nikki Lane]. Additionally he played "Young Love," "The Devil's Basement" and closed with "Gypsy Woman,"  which while definitely different than the recorded version, still packed a punch.

A terrific set of songs that makes one look forward to his return to NYC as the headliner.

For more information visit his official website
Read the recent interview with him here

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