The alt-country-rock-folk sound of Appalachia resounded in Brooklyn Friday night as Kentucky’s own Yim Yames (singer of My Morning Jacket and Monsters of Folk fame) joined singer/cellist Ben Sollee and crooner Daniel Martin Moore for a spectacular show to raise awareness and funds for the regions problem with mountaintop removal coal mining.
For over two hours the trio, who were decked out in suits complete with boutonnieres, played a variety of soulful, melodic tunes ranging from tracks off their Dear Companion album to old school Americana covers as well as some of their solo material to a sold out crowd. The music was wonderful but what really left an impression was the amazing marriage of the three “smooth as butter†voices which were transcendent individually and combined for a uniquely memorable sound. Some of the standout moments included a great version of “Only A Song†which was as witty as it was moving, Yames acoustic rendition of My Morning Jacket favorite “Smokin From Shootin,†and Moore’s song about the repercussions of mountaintop mining “Flyrock Blues.â€Â Each of the three performers showed off their chops individually as well as their musicianship with Yim Yames breaking out his Omnichord for a few songs and Sollee blowing the audience away with some innovative cello work.
The show was part of a short tour leading up to Newport’s Folk Festival and included an equally dazzling opening act, the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, which brought a big piece of hometown New Orleans spirit with them and were joined by the headliners for a few tunes.
