Good God! A hearty pat on the back goes to David McMillin and his animated pianist Kyle Johnson for attracting an audience with an approx 4:1 girls to guys ratio. I wouldn’t expect to see that ratio unless I was in the DeLorean being transported back to 1991 for a New Kids On The Block “Hanging Tough†concert (most people who are action figures and appear on lunch boxes hang really tough in my personal experience). Kudos from this guy, for sure.Â
           David and Kyle put on a splendid show as anticipated at Schubas in Chicago last night. They were backed by Jessica Sonner who lightly yet beautifully sang backup for David on the last two songs of the evening. There was definitely no lack of sound to encompass the cozy back room of this quaint Chicago haunt.Â
The only problem I had with the concert is the first song should have grabbed the audience’s attention a little bit more. I would have liked a little something that really broke through and made the crowd notice in a firm but gentle way (you know, like tough love). Aside from that, I heard the musical nuances that I expected from these talented musicians.
Throughout the show, David displayed an uncanny ability to move from a gruff, almost smoker sounding blues voice to a light, choirboy-like sound. When David moved to his higher notes and really let his voice loose, Kyle, appropriately called K-Smooth by friends for his silky smoothness in tickling the ivories, switched to giving those keys a full out ass beating. What ensues is a great balance of guitar jams and piano solos, a result of David and Kyle’s musical connection on stage that resonates through the audience.Â
There was a nice variety in the 9 songs that the band played; an appropriate number for a Wednesday night show. “Every Good Man,†a blues rift in which you could feel David’s conviction in his lyric writing and K-Smooth rocked the keys like the man was born to do. His animation and passion on his keyboard really set the tone for the crowd. I don’t normally compare people to Muppets, but if you’ve ever seen Rowlf the Dog jam the piano in a Muppet movie, then you know the level of passion that I attempt to describe.
My favorite tune of the night was a song called “Manhattan Street” that David pulled out of his old school bag that started with just him on the guitar. It had a Dave Matthews feel before it really hit its rhythm and then a full on jam took place. The piano managed to seamlessly shift keys enough for the attune listener to notice and enough for David to blast multiple different keys displaying his far reaching vocal ability as well as his impressive strumming skills.Â
Check out David’s Myspace page to see his concert schedule and if they are coming anywhere near you I highly suggest that you take the time to partake in the viewing and listening pleasure that is David McMillin and Kyle Johnson. Â
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4 Comments »
Dave Matthews feel
Ewww.
Have no fear JoshD, I too was worried at first by the Dave Matthews feel, notice I did not reference it as a good thing, but they turned around immediately making all the music appreciaters sigh in relief collectively. One of the largest collective sighs I’ve been witness to.
Come one and come all as David McMillin will be performing in Chicago yet again, this upcoming Sunday at Wise Fool’s Pub. Good times are sure to be included along with all of the fine musical aspects I have previously written about.
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Comment by Borch — April 5, 2007 @ 9:51 pm
Sounds like these dudes are pure Spanish Fly. Incidentally, are there any other guitarists out there who command that kind of girls-to-guys ratio and need a keyboardist? My rates are competetive and am willing to overlook a low take from the door for, um, other incentives.