Torrential rain came down outside and heavy winds gusted up and down Walnut Street in blustery Philadelphia as Rustic Overtones played an April 1 acoustic show at World Café Live, a hip restaurant for public-radio supporters and kids from the University of Pennsylvania to listen to bearded folkies and aspiring divas. But on that rainy Tuesday, the band was Rustic Overtones and the people in attendance seemed pretty happy about it.
From “Rock Like War” to the very last notes of “Light at the End,” Rustic were relaxed, seemingly enjoying the looseness of the evening’s casual performance. Angela Doxsey, taking a few days off from college, joined the band on violin and along with frontman Dave Gutter ushered in a smooth version of “Crash Landing.” Other highlights included a country-tinged version of “Oxygen” and the always enlightening “C’mon,” which was accompanied by a small chorus from the bar.
It wasn't like most Rustic shows — the crowd was sitting, with candles on the tables — but the signs were all there. Grizzled road warriors, Rustic kept it cool. The horn section (minus Jason Ward) didn’t look the least bit comical in their shades, and on the front of Spencer Albee’s keyboard station, a Maine state flag was the centerpiece.
Say what you will about Rustic Overtones — that their personal hygiene is questionable or that their sense of humor sometimes misses the part of the world outside themselves — but they know how to put on a show. Whispers and delighted comments ran through the crowd, remarking on this band of rag-tag pirates playing such toe-tickling tunes.
“I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I was impressed,” local Dave Robinson said after. “The guy’s voice is killer.”
After the show — with the rain outside finally subsiding or at least turning into a weak drizzle, Rustic dissolved into the crowd. There were some handshakes and "thanks for coming out," but it really just seemed like they just wanted to get out of there, back on the road, and on to the next show.
The night was done, another one in the books. Where’s the Best Western again?
