Buffalo Gospel- Anodyne Coffee Roasting Company, 12/20/14

photo courtesy of GigShots by Stephen Bloch

When you think of Americana music, what comes to mind?  According to the Americana Music Association, "Americana" is defined as, "contemporary music that incorporates elements of various American roots music styles, including country, roots-rock, folk, bluegrass, R&B and blues, resulting in a distinctive roots-oriented sound that lives in a world apart from the pure forms of the genres upon which it may draw."  For a simpler definition, I'd invite you to listen to Buffalo Gospel a band who has been called Milwaukee's best kept musical secret by many concert goers and critics. After checking them out in the beautiful confines of the Anodyne Coffee Roasting Company, it is easy to see why.   Blending vivid narrative songwriting, ethereal harmonizing, and a musical line-up featuring acoustic and electric guitars, bass, mandolin, fiddle and brilliant brush drumming, Buffalo Gospel proved to be the "real deal," when they played last Saturday at Anodyne Coffee Roasting Company in Walker's Point.

Fronted by singer-songwriter, Ryan Necci, Buffalo Gospel performed a fifteen song set which focused on their 2013 release We Can Be Horses, along with a smattering of older material and new track, "Here Lies Our Lovin'."  At Saturday's show, the band performed as an eight piece with Christopher Porterfield of Field Report joining his friends as a guest guitarist.  The guitar work in Buffalo Gospel is noteworthy, as Necci plays in a very unique style- one I've never seen before in fact- using a capo and also his left thumb to bar the chords on his acoustic guitar.  Allen Cote, who plays electric guitar, punctuates songs with his creatively-energizing fills and riffs, and Porterfield's proficient rhythm work added the create a full and rich sound.  Adding layers to the sound were violinist John Patek and mandolin player/vocalist Ryan Ogburn.  Another key component of this band is the wonderful harmonies between Necci and fellow vocalist, Heidi Spencer.  The interplay between these two talented musicians reminded me a bit of the Decemberists with Colin Meloy and Jenny Conlee.  

photo courtesy of Stephen Kallao

There was a real sense of community between the artists and the audience at this show, which made it feel more like a holiday gathering of friends- new and old- and less of a "concert," so to speak.  To quote, my friend, and Juniper Tar member, Aaron Schleicher, "you won't find a more polite group of folks than these guys."  I could not agree more.  There is a sincerity in the music that comes across even more so when you meet the musicians themselves.  I think it's this tangible "realness" that makes Buffalo Gospel's music resonate with its listeners.  

Opening for Buffalo Gospel were two very talented acts, Simon Balto and Heidi Spencer and the Rare Birds, both who delivered quality sets of music. Spencer's set included the use of Anodyne's house piano which added an extra element of honky tonk to her tunes.

Also, noteworthy in this performance was the venue itself.  The Anodyne Coffee Roasting Company was clearly the best smelling venue I've been in ever!  Instead of the smell of hard cleaners and stale beer which often accompanies small clubs, imagine the rich aromas of fresh coffee and tea permeating throughout the building.  Adding the the ambiance was a truly pristine acoustical set up. which worked wonderfully for all of the acts.  I would easily go see another show here based on venue alone.  Along with the Cedarburg Cultural Center, I'd call Anodyne a "must visit" venue for good music. 


Setlist:
Mule
Hill Outside My Home
Song of the Ox
The Northern
The Southern
The Eastern
The Western (The Devil Is Me)
Rock Island
Here Lies Our Lovin'
Hoarse as a Crow
If I Was the Last Man
When God's Away On Business
Son of a Gun 
All That I Got Left
Letters to Geo