The band was back in the hills of northeast Tennessee Tuesday night for an intimate acoustic show at The Willow Tree. It's always exciting to see Yarn, but when they made a comment on social media the day of the show requesting a taper to be there you had to know it was going to be something special. The band, fresh off several days in the studio were just as excited to be there as we were. They all seemed rested and refreshed, even Rod and Bobby who had just arrived after 10 hours of windshield time. The crowd was moderate sized at best, but very attentive. I guess drawing a big crowd on a Tuesday is a challenge anywhere you go. Everyone was seated, even me for the most part, and very attentive Teri and her daughter, owners of The Willow Tree, teamed up for the bands introduction. The lights dimmed, the boys took their seats and the Yarn history lesson/ preview of what's to come started. First up, two songs off their self-titled debut album It Took a Long Time and Listen Up Sweetheart, then Dirt Road off Almost Home. Right off the bat, 3 songs that I've never seen performed live. Next were 4 songs that just came out of the studio, some had been played for the first time in the last week or two but we got 5 total FTP's over the course of the night. Blake did a good job of giving a little bit of history before each song. He said in the past people have told him to not talk as much during a show, I enjoy it. I have my ideas of what songs mean so it's fun to me to compare my thoughts vs. what the artist had in mind while creating a song, granted I've seen performers really suck the energy out of a room by not knowing when to shut up (looking at you Dave Matthews), this was absolutely not the case. Wishing Well, Dark Skies, Angel in Woodstock and Bring Me Down were incredible. Nobody in the crowd made a sound, just heads bobbing, and toes tapping. We were hanging on to every word and every note coming off the stage. I've not been a Yarn fan as long as some of you so my knowledge of their catalogue isn't 100%, but it is damn impressive to me the quality and craftsmanship of some of the music they keep on the shelf. Two more new ones, House & Me and Life is Weird preceded one of my first favorite Yarn tunes, Empty Pockets. Another new one, Livin' to Die. They've got a lot to show from their 16-hour days in the studio. They got back to their history with Schenectady, Roadhouse, Cat & Mouse then Blue Skies, Brighter Times & Roses. Most of those I may have seen performed once, except Roadhouse, I've been lucky to see it a few times recently and it has really grown on me, this was about the time a small contingent got up and moved to the side of the stage to start dancing, Ricky B. couldn't take sitting down any more either. He kept that lion mane moving through Tennessee and Long Way to Texas. The set ended with one final new one, DreamTown. They left the stage to a standing ovation. A short break, barely enough time to grab a beer then they were back for the encore. It may well have been one of the best encores I have ever seen. Strikes & Gutters, by request of a fellow member of the Yarmy, a big sing along next with Fussin' & Fightin". The last song was the only cover of the evening, a tip of the hat to The Boss in My Hometown. So much brand new music as well as some music that's been around for a while but was new to me, it is really hard to pick out a definitive favorite after the first listen, Life is Weird and Livin' to Die stuck out to me. This is the Year is just an awesome tune, it really shows their optimism and enthusiasm about where they've been and what they are doing. I never did confirm if there was a taper in the building, I saw a few people taking videos so YouTube may be your best bet for a peak at the new stuff, or better yet just get in the truck and go see for yourself. I normally pride myself in keeping a book of set lists during shows, however sloppy my writing may get by the end of the night I like to think they're fairly accurate. Last night was a challenge with so much new music and tunes they dusted off the self. Thankfully Rick saved me his copy of the play list so I could go back and compare notes and get an accurate copy to everybody here at 5G. Thanks for sticking with me through my long-winded and rambling review of last night, I might try to do these more often if anything for my own benefit, so many little details of the night came back to me that I'm sure I would've totally forgot, believe it or not I did leave a lot out. Big thanks to Teri at The Willow Tree, she's been the breath of fresh air that Johnson City has needed. She has got a good thing goig if ever given the opportunity check her place out. Bigger thanks to Yarn, it's so much fun to be a fan of a band that is making great music and having a good time doing it. Safe travels good people
Nice review Tennessee. I know it was a special show (they all are) so many of us wish we could have been part of it. Hopefully the recording will pop up somewhere soon.
Thanks! Great review. Less than a week until the Manchester show! And did he mention cat and mouse in that review? Wow. Been a while for a lot on that crazy exciting setlist. But cat and mouse? I think it's been a good line while for that one. Would love to hear that Thursday.
It Took a Long Time Listen Up Sweetheart Dirt Road Where?* Fallin'** This is the Year* Hard Times* Wishing Well Sweet Dolly** Dark Skies Angel in Woodstock Bring Me Down House and Me** Life is Weird** Empty Pockets Livin' to Die** Schenectady Roadhouse Cat and Mouse Blue Skies, Brighter Times, and Roses Tennessee Long Way to Texas DreamTown*
E.) Strikes&Gutters, Fussin'&Fightin', My Hometown***