For a little more than 90 minutes Friday night, Iron and Wine mastermind Sam Beam captivated a sold-out audience at House of Blues — not just with his words and voice, but with his dedication to redefining his music.
Accompanied by a 10-person band, including two female backing singers and a three-piece horn section, Iron and Wine re-imagined and reworked their songs, as Beam’s controlled baritone hummed in harmony with the eclectic mix of instrumentation.
Playing in support of the excellent Kiss Each Other Clean, released earlier this year, Iron and Wine turned their hushed, acoustic sound into a jazzy big band that filled House of Blues.
This article appears in Apr 27 – May 3, 2011.
I drove to this concert all the way from Cincinnati. I’m sure Iron & Wine played very well, but i couldn’t hear them. I have never left a show complaining about not being able to hear the band when i was in the middle of the crowd the whole time. I could hear people’s conversations and even people’s voicemail at one point more than the band. I was very distracted and very disappointed. I don’t know of it’s because the sound guy had a better spot than me and was just getting the volume right for his liking or what, but please don’t be shy, House of Blues. Turn up the music!