Buffalo Gospel- Secret Garden Show, September 4, 2015

photo by Will Piper

House shows are popping up more and more these days in the music scene, with fans gathering to see artists perform in the most intimate spaces- fans' homes.  Good friends Aaron and Laurie hosted a dandy of a show last night in their beautiful home in Riverwest.  Using a garage for a stage and a magnificent garden as a backdrop, Buffalo Gospel performed two sets of memorable music, creating an aural aesthetic experience, mesmorizing everyone in attendance.

Buffalo Gospel epitomizes the spirit of Americana music, and from a sonic perspective can hold their own with any act in their genre- locally, regionally or nationally. At the heart of Buffalo Gospel is songwriter Ryan Necci's engaging stories of self-reflection.  Necci's songs are sometimes brooding, sometimes hopeful, and always draw on both the narrative of the song and the negative space that Necci allows the audience to fill in,  The band, which featured Christopher Porterfield, another one of my favorite songwriters, guesting on guitar helped bring Necci's lyrics to life.   Heidi Spencer's haunting back-up vocals coupled with the mandolin licks from Ryan Ogburn (also of Chicken Wire Empire) stood out in this tightly knit band. 

Buffalo Gospel doesn't play a ton of shows, so catching the sextet live is a real treat.  Music is their passion and performing in front of friends and music enthusiasts seems to give them great pride.  Their new tunes were well-crafted and were received as warmly as their more well known numbers like "Letters to Georgia," "The Western" and "Hoarse as a Crow."  "Ain't No Garden in the Grave," which the band debuted had a special poignant vibe given the unique venue Buffalo Gospel was playing in.   Buffalo Gospel are a true treasure in Milwaukee, a band I am proud to call one of my local favorites, and some of the most earnest, humble folks you'll meet.  To quote Necci addressing the crowd, "City music scenes are made with shows like these, thanks for being here." .

The music and ambiance of the Secret Garden Show will make last night's experience a summer highlight, and one I won't forget.

9.5.15 - Secret Garden Party - Milwaukee, WI

Set One
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Hill Outside My Home
Here Lies Our Lovin'
The Northern
Letters to Georgia
Homeless
When God's Away on Business
Hard Labor Side of Gettin' On*
The Western (The Devil is Me)

Set Two
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Mule
Hoarse as a Crow
Old I Do of Mine
Waiting for the Lights to Go Out*
Ain't No Garden in the Grave*
Rock Island
High Time to Hang Fire
18 Wheeler

Encore
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If I Was the Last Man

*First Time Played