Stagestruck

TEMPEST
@Cactus Cafe, Austin, TX
June 30, 2001
For some folks, electrified folk music is sacrilege. Combining, say, Celtic music with rock somehow robs the former of its "purity," whatever that is. More fool they—there's something about a Scottish folk melody laid over power chords that's just somehow special. When it's done right it's downright irresistible, sending shivers up the spine. And these days there may not be anybody who does the Celtic rock thing better than San Francisco quintet Tempest. They've released a series of good-to-great records over the past decade, but onstage is where their music really comes alive.

Playing Austin for only the second time, and the first time in the River City's home for folk, the band set the small but eager crowd on fire with a fiercely rocking set of traditional reels and original tunes. Guitarist Todd Evans has learned to tone down the metallisms that somewhat mar the latest album Balance. By using the tapping and squeals as occasional accents instead of main riffs, the techniques became far more effective. New fiddler Sue Draheim also shined, which is especially impressive considering it was only her second time on stage in a demanding gig. Bassist William Maxwell and drummer Adolfo Lazo were a rock-steady, atomic-powered engine for this particular train. The star, though, was leader Lief Sorbye, whose faintly Norwegian accent added the perfect spice to his deep, clear vocals, which sound made for Celtic music in much the same way as those of Fairport Convention singer Simon Nicol. Meanwhile, his mandolin virtuosity on his custom doubleneck instruments kept the melodies flowing like mead.

They played most of Balance, with the Evans instrumental "Battle Mountain Breakdown" and a medley of the Scottish pirate tale "Captain Ward" and Evans' "Dance of the Sand Witches" being highlights. They didn't forget old favorites like "Top of the Hill," "A Kiss in the Morning Early" and "Cat in the Corner" (which dates from the very first demo), however. The best performances, in an evening full of topnotch ones, were "Buffalo Jump," a hopping song about the Cree Indians, and an encore of fan favorite "You Jacobites By Name," which everyone in the crowd already knew by heart. The band was in excellent form, turbocharging the intricate arrangements with a powerhouse dose of rock energy, and both they and the audience had an absolute blast. Tempest live is everything good about the fusion of Celtic folk and rock.

Note: A plus to seeing Tempest in concert is the opportunity to purchase their terrific album Live at the Philadelphia Folk Festival, which is available only through the band. Michael Toland