Delta Spirit Concert Review
San Diego Band Played Songs from Debut CD
Led by the strong vocals of Matthew Vasquez, the band consists of bassist Jon Jameson, drummer Brandon Young, guitarist Sean Walker and keyboardist and multi-instrumentalist Kelly Winrich.
Chance Meeting Leads to Band’s Formation
In an interview with National Public Radio’s Scott Simon, Young and Vasquez recount how things came together for Delta Spirit. Young happened to hear Vasquez singing near the trolly tracks in downtown San Diego.They exchanged phone numbers and kept in touch.
Four years went by and Young’s band broke up. He called Vasquez and asked him if he was interested in putting something together. Vasquez told him that he would call back in 30 minutes. True to his word, Vasquez called saying he just fired his whole band and was ready to try something new.
Delta Spirit was formed and the band recorded Ode to Sunshine in a friend’s cabin in California and put it out themselves. The Rounder record label picked it up last year.
Spirit and Enthusiasm
Delta Spirit’s recording has a surge of energy and vitality that flows from song to song. The band successfully translates this to its live performance. Melodic piano, hand clapping and other creative percussive sounds are all a part of the show.
“People C’mon” had the crowd clapping along as Walker banged out a raucous riff in the middle. Another audience favorite,“Strange Vine” is a great example of the band’s blending of a barroom piano and surf guitar with a very pretty melody.
Vasquez’s Vocal Agility
Vasquez has a soaring vocal quality that can wrap around a quiet ballad like “House Built for Two" or scream out the lyrics to “Parade.” In the first, he mournfully tells the tale of a family coming apart over many years: “A house built for two is too small for you.”
The latter is a slow rocker about the current economic crisis. Vasquez held back nothing as he yelled:
“Running from your debts/Last year you were placing bets.”
“Streetwalker” has the classic drum and guitar opening that harkens back to a Buddy Holly sound. The song, however, deals with some pretty intense subject matter. It chronicles the plight of children forced into the prostitution. The band’s live interpretation only gave the song more strength. Vasquez pleaded as he sang:
“Oh lord set them free/Oh yeah, it could have been me.”
Vasquez played harmonica during the fast-driving “Children.” This song allowed Walker to take off on a sizzling guitar solo that demonstrated his virtuosity.
Trashing it Up
To round out the show, the band ripped through the recording’s single “Trashcan.” Pounding on a an aluminum lid, Winrich danced around the stage while Vasquez took a turn behind the piano. The whole band joined in on the chorus:
“My love is comin’/ I can barely, hardly wait / Arouuuund.”
Outlaw Ballad
The final song, “People, Turn Around,” has all the elements to become a classic outlaw ballad -- right up there with Bob Dylan’s “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door.” The blending of guitar and harmonica give it that folky feel. The barroom quality to the piano adds flavor. They were joined on stage by members from Dawes, one of the opening bands.
Everyone sang along on the chorus:
“Well it’s time all you people/To turn around/For the life we’ve been living/Messing around/The blood we’ve been spilling/Will bleed us dry/The life we’ve been killing/Is the life like mine.”
Catch the Mood
Delta Spirit certainly loves playing music and performing. If they continue to pursue their talents and write such strong lyrics, commercial success may be in the near future. Let’s hope they don’t loose the raw edges and pure enthusiasm.
Delta Spirit
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