i've just returned home from seeing william elliott whitmore perform at the qc brew and view and, while i actually drifted off (that is, closed my eyes and partially slept) during portions of the performance, it was highly worth it.

a very odd environment to see a show (they've just recently started hosting them) ... it's basically a very tiny movie theater, with seating for about 50 in four or five rows of reclining, cushioned theater seats. then, a balcony at the top (the main bar area), with stools and a counter above the stage/theater area. the oddest part is that there's absolutely no stage lighting. during the openers, odd digital graphics and the film acapulco gold were displayed on the screen; during whitmore's set, the stage was dark but for one candle about six feet to his left.

anyway, w.e.w. is a 26-year-old man with the voice of an 80-year-old blues singer. it's a growl, but a pleasant and melodic growl. and he's not much for stage banter ("thank you" and "thanks for listening" were repeated about nine times after each song), although he did respond to questions from the audience. (the two responses to questions: "i'm from lee county iowa. mon-trose. i guess i got a penchant for river towns. we all do." and "those are roach papers.")

generally, though, it was a very impressive performance. i expected "front porch blues," but it was "front porch folk," featuring william and his foot percussion and his banjo or his guitar and his melodic growl. the lyrics were definitely of the genre, and were really nice to hear.

life's mysteries unravel / when my tires hit the gravel / and i leave the paved roads behind

and

i'm digging my grave / [stomp, stomp] i'm digging my grave / [stomp, stomp] / with a pick and a spa-a-ade / i'm digging my grave

this iowa dirt / [stomp, stomp] is very cold [stomp, stomp] / where i rest my sou-ou-oul / it's very cold

and other such sentiments.

the best parts were when he closed songs with an a capella singing of the chorus. without fail, the crowd stomped or clapped along and, if it was easy enough ("our paths will cross / another time"), joined in on the singing.

he reminded me of richard buckner, but without the lyrical depth. perhaps the most appropriate comparison would be the jay farrar-sung tracks on uncle tupelo's march 16-20, 1992. if that's up your alley, i'd highly recommend his music.

william elliott whitmore hereby becomes my favorite singer-songwriter with palindromic initials. (my favorite palindrome, however, is a man, a plan, a canal, panama, or perhaps go hang a salami / i'm a lasagna hog.) his new record, ashes to dust, has just been released on southern records. i would have purchased it at the show, but had only nine bucks when i got there and six bucks when i left (yeah three-dollar cover!). alas, when i went to the atm before the show, i was greeted with the rare "no cash available" sign. i've gotta think that's bad for business.

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i've been listening to the arcade fire's record quite a bit lately. it's quite good. "every time you close your eyes (lies, lies)" woof.