Accompanied by electric and acoustic guitars, bass, piano, percussion and one very dramatic trumpet, Greg Laswell packed the Hotel Café last night with both veteran and newbie admirers.
Starting the set with soon-to-be-favorite "What a Day," a song with a hopeful-tone and an invincible message, Greg's words "What a day to be alive...what a day to die trying" resonated with the interested ears. In general, Greg's lyrics are reflective but rarely border on complex. The songs with the most striking impact are often ones which repeat key phrases at various tones in order to create a beautiful layered effect. In this way, Greg weaves a meditation of sorts for audience members who stand silently, ready to be draped. In fact, I was struck by just how silent the crowd was during some songs, especially for "Embrace Me," throughout which people confirmed appreciation by refraining from speaking, answering texts or even refilling watered drinks.
Although songs on the new album "How the Day Sounds" cross from upbeat to a solemn tempo, "longing" seems to be a common theme; longing for the things we've lost and also for the things we already know but yearn to see in a new way. Demonstrative of this are "Embrace Me" lyrics which ask one to take steps away from where they are in order to take a new took at "the land that grounds [them.]" The EP with this disarming song will be available at Whole Foods Market in May.
Review by Bre Goldsmith
Check out Greg at www.myspace.com/greglaswell
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