Buffalo Gospel, Hello Death, Christopher Porterfield- Anodyne Coffee Roasters- December 5, 2015

photo by Will Piper

About half-way through their set, Ryan Necci, frontman of Buffalo Gospel, stopped to thank the crowd for being so respectful and listening. Loud jabbering and side conversations between audience members were a rare sight to find at Andodyne Coffee Roasters, and rightfully so, as fans enjoyed the musical nuances and subtle fills that define the Buffalo Gospel sound.

Buffalo Gospel concerts are truly special events- feeling on one hand like a group of friends gathered around a living room for some good ol' fashioned Americana music, and on the other hand they have a feeling of a big deal show to their devout fans.  While Buffalo Gospel may still be considered by many Milwaukee's best kept musical secret, judging by the capacity crowd at Anodyne Coffee Roasters in Waker's Point, it is clear that word of mouth is spreading about this remarkable act.

photo by Will Piper

It is evident from the audience perspective that the five members of Buffalo Gospel who took the stage really enjoy playing with one another.  The playful interplay between singer-songwriter and guitarist Ryan Necci, mandolinist Ryan Ogburn and guitarist Christopher Porterfield was evident throughout the night, as the band put new spins on older tunes and tied together jams in newer numbers. Following the release of their EP Waiting for the Lights to Go Out this past week, Buffalo Gospel delivered a robust set highlighting both newer and older material.  The two tracks off the EP, "Waiting for the Lights to Go Out," and "Garden in the Gave," were both set highlights and very well received.  In a surprise move, Buffalo Gospel even managed to channel the Grateful Dead in their set, performing "Hoarse as a Crow," and then flowing the rousing song into "Friend of the Devil" and back into "Hoarse as a Crow."  The set closer, "Mule," (my personal favorite of the Buffalo Gospel catalogue), was especially poignant, leaving the crowd gently singing along to the chorus, "You never know when a little love is all you need until a little love is all you got."  

Opening for Buffalo Gospel were two other highly talented Milwaukee acts.  Hello Death is a minimalist folk group whose name fits their style of music well.  Haunting harmonies, softly eerie compositions and a general sense of beautiful moroseness surrounded their set.   Upright bass player Nathaniel Heuer's deep baritone vocal sets the stage for the darker timbres that surround the sonic quality of this act.

Kicking off the night was an extraordinary set by Christopher Porterfield who played several cuts off of Field Report's latest release Marigolden which he has toured both by himself and with his band in support of for over the past year.  "Fergus Falls" from his first record and a new tune, "Summertime Songs," also made their way into the set.   I've had the pleasure of seeing Porterfield on several occasions, and I find that he is an artist who continually improves.  His guitar playing with his solo set was excellent and showcased the musical talents of this stellar songsmith.

As always, Anodyne Coffee Roasters remain a five star venue in Milwaukee- with a great room for Americana music.

Buffalo Gospel Setlist:
The Western (the Devil in Me)
18 Wheeler
Letters to Georgia
Hard Labor Side of Gettin' On
The Northern
Waiting For the Lights to Go Out
High Time to Hang Fire
Hoarse as a Crow ->
Friend of the Devil* ->
Hoarse as a a Crow
Hill Outside My home
When God's Away on Business
Garden in the Grave
Old I Do of Mine
Son of a Gun
Mule
Encore:
Here Lies Our Lovin'
If I Was the Last Man

*- Grateful Dead cover