When it comes to the performing arts I am very particular about what I like and what I don’t like. My parents joke that music school has ruined music for me because I am hypercritical of every performance; noting errors in pitch, technique and strange stylistic choices for discussion during intermission and following the show. Often, I am the last person to stand during a standing ovation (conveniently started by the performers family), grumbling to the person next to me about how the performance was good but did not deserve a standing ovation.
Given my critical tendencies when attending performances, I attempted to lower my expectations for Friday’s performance by the Steel Wheels at The Ark. Though my companion for the evening does not share my critical ear and eye, they have a deep appreciation for the music and for the sake of the evening I resolved to internalize any negative impressions, saving them for this review.
The doors to the Ark opened at 7:30 for the sold out 8 pm concert, and though it was well below freezing when we got into line at 7:15, the line stretched down Main Street and wrapped around the corner. Though the show was General Admission and there were easily 100 people ahead of us in line we were able to snag two seats in the second row near where the bassist would stand.
From the moment that The Steel Wheels took the stage the audience, which consisted of patrons as varied as two elementary schoolers a row ahead of us to a gentleman who had needed help with his hearing aid before the start of the show, was enraptured. The show, which lasted 2 hours consisting of 2 sets interrupted by a 15 minute intermission and followed by a 3 song encore, resulted in 3 immediate standing ovations and a final applause lasting almost five minutes after the performers had left the stage (not an exaggeration, I timed it).
The performance that The Steel Wheels gave was deserving of such a response. The energy which was exuded from the stage infected the audience and the music which they played sounded identical to their CDs with amplification and use of reverb as the only technological aids.
Clearly evident to the audience was the supreme musicianship of all the performers on the stage and the fierce friendships which they had developed with each other because of the music. Trent Wagler’s vocals held the group together and served as the primary communicator with the audience, standing center behind the only microphone while singing and walking around the edges of the stage, making eye contact with members of the audience while playing his guitar as other instruments soloed. Jay Lapp played 3 instruments throughout the night bring a new color and technique with each instrument change. On the mandolin, he proved to be a formidable musician and interacted well with the audience, especially when providing vocal harmonies. Eric Brubaker on fiddle and Brian Dickel on Bass appeared lost in the music, physically behind Wagler and Lapp, often with eyes closed with little interaction with the audience.
Overall, this performance was one of the most flawless that I have ever seen. Technically, each member of The Steel Wheels is a master of their instrument(s) leaving no room for critique. As a group, the performers engaged the audience while clearly enveloped in the music. My only complaint lies with their programming of the evening. The beginning of the second set started off slowly, playing three lesser known songs with slower tempos, resulting in a sluggish feel to the first half of the set. Additionally, during the encore Wagler lightly played the opening chords from “Lay Down Lay Low” as the group discussed which songs to play. Since “Lay Down Lay Low” is my favorite song of their I was needlessly disappointed when it was not included in the encore.
For those of you have yet to attend a show at the Ark I would strongly recommend the experience. Since Jay Lapp’s family resides in Ann Arbor, it is likely that The Steel Wheels will be returning to the Ark in the future. When, and if, that is the case I was most definitely be in the audience looking forward to another wonderful night of superbly played music.
