Andrew Adkins, Daryl Dasher and Rodney Russell of Mellow Down Easy at Tidballs. Photo by Pennman 8-27-09.

After having received a copy of Mellow Down Easy’s latest CD, “Cosmisutra”, and loving it (please see the August 2009 Cosmisutra review online ), I was excited to see the band live. So how great was it that they came to Tidball’s tonight, saving me a trip to Nashville, where the band is based? I was wondering for weeks how the band would pull off the rocking tunes on Cosmisutra without all the refined production and extra instrumentation that makes the CD a true listening pleasure. When they play live you get a three-piece band, which always makes for a raw, bare bones sound. It didn’t take long to get the answer to the question. They were awesome.

Although they were the headliners, Mellow Down Easy opened the show in an attempt to get on the road a little early in preparation for their Memphis show the next night. That was fine with me, because I was there to see them. So they opened with a few “Cosmisutra” songs, although I forgot the order. But that didn’t matter, because what I was hearing was great. Though certainly more stripped down than the CD, the music was energetic, rocking, and crystal clear. I loved “I Am the Universe” and “Crazy and Wicked”. It all boils down to the fact that you don’t miss a thing in a Mellow Down Easy live performance, you simply get to hear the music gloriously live. The thought “they don’t need no stinking CD” came to my mind as I immersed myself into the show. The Thursday night crowd was a little bit sleepy, but that all ended when the band took the stage. Spirited applause occurred after every song and the crowd was dancing by the end of the set. 

Andrew Adkins (lead guitar, vocals) and Daryl Dasher (bass, vocals) have really good stage presence. Their vocal styles are totally different yet complimentary, Dasher’s bass is prominent, and Adkins does wonders on the Les Paul. Rodney Russell is awesome on the drums as well, so what you have here is a very versatile trio. They took over the room and the audience just couldn’t ignore it. Instead, they jumped into the fun head first.

Missed the show? They have been here before, and could very well return. Consider yourself on alert: if they wind up on Tidball’s schedule go see them next time.

As an added bonus, The Great Affairs, also based in Nashville, closed the show. I’m not familiar with their music but plan to be soon. They have a nice, plugged-in, acoustic guitar-dominated rock sound, sort of like Tom Petty with that often predominant 12-string. As a matter of fact they did a Petty cover, but this was a show of originals. Front men Denny Smith and Patrick Miller had that Neil Young look tonight, and worked the room hard. Lee Coram provided keys and vocals, and the rhythm section kept everyone on track. If you get a chance to catch them, perhaps in Nashville, take it. I know I will.    

Mellow Down Easy and The Great Affairs played Tidballs in Bowling Green, KY on 8/27/2009.

Pennman bought his first 45 at age nine and has been hooked on rock ever since. He has spent much of his disposable income on music, especially live performances. He writes reviews of the shows he sees and keeps a keen lookout for upcoming shows in or near Bowling Green. He has a BA in Communications, specializing in journalism, and has dabbled in music himself, both as a player and instructor. Find more of Pennman’s work at www.associatedcontent.com/user/165511/pennman.html or visit him at www.myspace.com/pennman_bg or www.facebook.com/pennman