>>photo by Doug La Rue
by Chris Mosser
1996 was a busy year for Breedlove, having produced a damn-near-perfect debut in Reach Out and keeping busy building a considerable following throughout the state. With this in mind, I braved a very un-Austin-like frigid Saturday evening to see how 1997 would start for last year's Austin Chronicle 'Best New Band'. Before a single note was played I learned that the year had indeed begun well for Breedlove: Steamboat's helmsman Danny Crooks' gleeful introduction included the announcement that Breedlove had represented Austin rather well in Dallas the night before by trouncing four Metroplex acts and winning the initial Grammy showcase there (no small feat considering Big D's collective inferiority complex toward Austin music.)
>>photo by Laura Rojo
The typically sardine-packed audience were treated this night to an unusually relaxed and loose Breedlove, no doubt due to their fine showing in Dallas. The atmosphere complimented the band's repertoire nicely, adding a smile to their usual smooth groove. 'Smooth' and 'Peregrine', both rapidly becoming representative Austin anthems, were executed beautifully, as was 'White Thread'. Never a big Blues Traveler fan myself, I could do without the seemingly obligatory extended-jam mode present in '3AM Drag' and elsewhere in the set (I've got to bitch about something,) but Dyer's vocal improv at one point was enjoyably appropriate for the female regulars doing what I have dubbed the "Steamboat Slither" down front (Danny: do they live in the office or what?) I was also just a hair disappointed in the live rendition of 'Another Drink', but that had more to do with the astonishing quality of the track on the Reach Out disc than any live deficiency.
>>>photo by Doug La Rue
Perhaps it was the early January air that had me reflecting on the year that was 1996, and in that mode, I considered during Breedlove's set how the band had grown over that time. I can remember my first exposure to them, experiencing a small measure of skepticism and perhaps a pre-emptive bit of nepotistic resentment I've never been happier to eat my words. Guitarist Tyrone Vaughan-Fullerton has made the most headway; where he was once maybe just a bit hesitant standing in those immense shoes, he now rips with a full swagger that is part Vaughan and yet fully Tyrone. A similar elevation in confidence is evident in vocalist Dan Dyer
(if this guy isn't a star by 1998, there truly is no justice in this world.) Beneath Breedlove's twin towers lies one of the finest rhythm sections in Austin; the stylings of Josh Dawkins and Jason White mesh with the very tasteful keyboard work of Ezra Reynolds to give Breedlove its truly unique and lush structure. In fact, the Dawkins/White team would have my vote for Tastiest Rhythm Section if I could only find a ballot box so marked. I'd recommend Breedlove's fine, fine debut album for the non-initiated; since listening to it I find the many nuances of the band's live performances more evident and therefore more enjoyable. With or without the agreement of those silly Grammy people, Breedlove remain Austin's greatest musical hope.
>>photo by Laura Rojo
