It was Halloween weekend night at Phog Lounge and there were a number of disguises and masks in the audience and also on stage. Benj Rowland made the drive from western Quebec to perform his singular brand of songwriting and performing on such instruments as electric tenor guitar, a hurdy gurdy, an octave mandolin, ankle bells, electric pedal bass and a tape loop machine.
Tim performed with an all new band lineup specially formed for this show, The Driveway Shovelers. The setlist was a departure from the typical Tim tunes, venturing into mostly covers of a wide variety. With the news of the passing of Grateful Dead bassist Phil Lesh, a first ever cover of “Truckin'” was also performed in tribute to Lesh. Among other first ever outings of the Gershwin classic “Oh, Lady Be Good”, traditional folk song “Rake & Ramblin' Boy”, a torch ballad arrangement of Johnny Cash's “Train Of Love” and a special cover of a new song, “Hydrochloride” by former Phog Tim show guest performer Lotus Wight, aka Sam Allison. Sam recently released his first album of all original songs titled Original Works For Voice & Banjo By Sam Allison, available to stream and purchase on Bandcamp. Tim also recommends checking out Little Hat Jones, both Sam's song and the performer.
Additional setlist highlights included a cover of Bob Dylan's “When I Paint My Masterpiece” (wearing a musical Halloween disguise, dressed up like a certain 1929 Irving Berlin song). “Black Jack Davey” was performed for only the second time, the first since Tim's second ever solo show six years ago, back on April 28, 2018. Similarly, a cover of Hank Williams' “I Can't Get You Off My Mind” was performed for the first time since July 21, 2018.
Read the full setlist by clicking here.
