Lake Street Dive- Turner Hall Ballroom, 8/23/16

photo courtesy of Gigshotz by Stephen Bloch

Lake Street Dive is a band that is hard not to like.  The veteran quartet from Brooklyn via Boston has been around for the past decade, and has risen to more national prominence in recent years thanks to two back-to-back stellar releases, 2014's Bad Self Portraits, and this year's Side Pony.  The classically jazz trained quartet showed off their chops in front of a packed house at Turner Hall, with fans ranging in age from 10-70+.  I'm not sure if there is another act out there that draws from such a diverse age demographic.

Lake Street Dive's sound is a true mix of soul, Motown, classic rock, pop and swing, that simply makes you want to sway and groove.  The quartet are "musicians musicians," who have been playing instruments since the third grade, and their infectious stage presence makes it evident that they enjoy making music with one another and truly love their jobs.

Rachael Price is about as charismatic a singer as you're likely to find.  A  jazz-studies graduate of the New England Conservatory of Music, Price is no stranger to the stage or to singing with mad conviction.  With an impeccable vocal range and stage presence which is equal parts sultry and giddy, she is a true crowd engager.  At one point in the band's 90 minute Turner Hall set, a fan gave her a floral bouquet in a vase (something I've never seen done before at Turner Hall), which she proudly displayed behind her for the band.

photo courtesy of Gigshotz by Stephen Bloch

photo courtesy of Gigshotz by Stephen Bloch

While Price is the obvious star of the show, the other members of Lake Street Dive are virtuosos at their respective instruments.  All four members of the band harmonize seamlessly with one another. Upright bass player, Bridget Kearney's jazzy licks keep the grooves tight alongside drummer Mike Calabrese's beats.  Both Kearney and Calabrese were given solos to shine at their given instruments. Calabrese's drum solo, in particular, had an 80's arena-rock epic nature to it... something you rarely see out of more modern bands these days.  In many ways, guitarist, Mike "McDuck" Olson is the anchor of the band, fluctuating between rhythm and lead guitar licks and playing trumpet on occasion.

photo courtesy of Gigshotz by Stephen Bloch

Much of the set consisted of numbers from Bad Self Portraits and Side Pony with a smattering of covers and deep cuts well-placed as well.  "Side Pony" the title track off of this year's strong release was played with the aid of "Steve" the inflatable horse who made a cameo on stage.  "You Go Down Smooth," a hit track off of Bad Self Portraits featured Price's vocals soaring alongside Olson's trumpet.  A cover of The Kink's "Lola"involved a sing-along from the beaming crowd.  Set closer, "Call Off the Dogs," a truly amazing track off of Side Pony, literally got everyone dancing.  In a bold move, Lake Street Dive chose to cover Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" as their encore, a very difficult song to pull-off, especially with the original vocal prowess provided by Freddy Mercury.  Price, however, was undaunted and nailed the vocals sending the crowd into a frenzy to end the night.  The crowd was so revved up and joyful that after the house lights went on, they continued to dance to the house music, which was "Time of My Life" off of the Dirty Dancing Soundtrack.

I guess, Lake Street Dive just moves people of all ages move and feel good.  Go see them live- simply put, their music is good for the soul.