By Alyssa Davis
If you know me at all, you understand that my one and only true love is Bob Dylan. Therefore, what I’m about to say should be considered quite the compliment coming from me. Hayes Carll completely reminds me of Dylan. And not because of the ever present harmonica he always has around his neck (which I’m sure is what you’re thinking). Many musicians add harmonica and don’t bring up thoughts of Dylan. It’s because of his voice.
Carll uses his voice to drawl and lilt the lyrics. It’s odd and off, quirky and different – but works at the same time, much like Dylan’s voice. Carll doesn’t sound like Dylan, just has qualities like him. It’s something that I picked up on more in his live act than his recordings. But that’s the thought that kept coming to mind all night as I watched Carll play to a busting-at-the-seams Blue Light on Friday night.
So many people flooded the Blue Light to check out Carll and his band live. People were standing on chairs trying to catch a glimpse through the masses. They were enthralled! I’ve never heard a sing-a-long that intense in the Blue Light as they sang with Carll on It’s A Shame. The crowd was louder than he was! It was a beautiful thing to hear from the BL faithful.
Carll chose to play a set heavy with songs off his most recent release, Trouble In Mind, including Beaumont, I Got a Gig, and Bad Liver and a Broken Heart. Accented with Carll’s before mentioned harmonica and a solid backing band, he put on a show until the very end, along with a two song encore.
It was a very unexpectedly interesting night at the Blue Light. I actually was quite enthralled as well, and found myself wishing the show wouldn’t end. Great things come from being a little different – just look at how well it worked for Dylan.