David Alvin is a living throwback and best in breed. He is a musician and singer / songwriter who has chosen the guitar as his go-to instrument. He is affable and quick-witted. He is very talented but humble. He plays the blues but cracks jokes between songs. You can tell that he enjoys what he does and appreciates his audience. Once you see him smile, you know he’s the real deal. He is probably sixty years old.
At The Coronet Theatre in Hollywood Saturday night, Alvin and friends played a two hour set of his material, several covers (“Abilene” a standout) and selections from friends’ records. The most interesting piece he explored was his work with his departed friend Gafferty, who along with Alvin dubbed themselves the “605 Boys” in the mid 60s, based on their proximity to the then-new Interstate 605.
Multi-instrumentalist Greg Leisz and several on-again off-again (the stage) friends helped Alvin create a rollicking, moving Saturday soundtrack for the new location of the highly regarded Largo. The sound was mostly a country variation of blues, with hints of the “loud folk music” Alvin alludes to on his homepage (davidalvin.net).
The show lacked just 2 key ingredients: bass notes and beer. The Coronet does not have a license to sell alcohol, so Alvin’s possession of 2 Bud Light cans was a running gag between himself and the endearing audience (which included the beloved brazen nerd who pushes the envelope regarding feedback because he knows he’s not going too far and that Alvin is accomodating and graceful). About the other matter: there was a pianist who played some low-end octaves but he disappeared after a while, providing fodder for another serial quip. The band must be really something with a drummer, and I’m sure a drummer has lots of fun working with the material and musicians. But, even without percussion or inebriation, the show rocked. That’s some trick.
