Leftover Salmon was born on a New Years Eve, twenty-six years ago. Last night in Portland, Oregon, and the Polyethnic Cajun Slamgrass legends threw their own birthday bash at the Roseland Theater.  Though everyone was invited, they made sure their friends and Portland’s own Americana super group Fruition, sax demon Skerik and Love Bomb Go-Go were there to kick off the New Year in fine style.  One thing about Salmon…wherever they go, they like to leave their mark.

For these last two and a half decades, when Drew Emmitt, Vince Herman and the guys have gotten together to play, fans could be sure of two things: spirits would be lifted and feet would be sore from dancing.  The singular blend of musical styles, from zydeco, high wire bluegrass, reggae and good old rock and roll that flows from the band is completely irresistible.  The key to the band ‘sconnection with their audience, however, has always been the unmistakable joy that radiates from them all. 

Taking the stage to deafening cheers and whistles, the band launched into their attempt at playing their first album, Bridges to Bert, all the way through.  Long time fans were a little extra thrilled, but everyone was in full dance mode. As a testament to the timeless of their music, even songs they hadn’t played in fifteen or twenty years sounded as fresh and crowd-pleasing as their exemplary recent work. Leftover Salmon didn’t manage to make it through their full first disc, but for the best of reasons.

The band’s newest addition, pianist Bill Payne of Little Feat fame, was featured on a solo that was easily one of the musical highlights of the night.  His blending with the band has given them yet another new dimension, a classically based weight that elevates the whole show.  More than just a skilled technical player, Payne can road house barrel roll with the best of them, and his interplay with Andy Thorn and Emmitt was particularly sharp.

Andy Thorn is credited as the man who pulled Salmon back on the road full time, and he showed why through both sets.  His fingering movements so practiced and deft, his banjo fret board graceful glides make his skill look far to simple to observers.  His sharp tone was countered by Drew Emmitt, who as usual pulled triple duty on mandolin, guitar and fiddle.  His music dexterity doesn’t stop at things with strings; he sings too! His voice is stronger than ever, and his years have given his words yet more gravity.

Alwyn Robinson provided one of the more fun moments of the evening, which at a Salmon show is really saying something.  Besides his crafty drum work all night, he provided the lead vocals for a rousing disco jam of Gloria Gaynor‘s “I Will Survive” that had the crowd singing along at the top of their voices.   His rhythm section partner gave the night a much needed deep end, anchoring all of the higher register work being done by his bandmates as if on a one man crusade to get down and dirty.

Adding in all night was the master of fiery saxophone improv, Skerik.  He continually found ways to insert himself into the songs without over-powering, and easily riffed along with every jam.  Not that he didn’t relish the moments when he was given the nod to cut loose, which he did with his trademarked ferocious abandon.

Hosting this circus was the patron saint of festivals and parties alike, Vince Herman.   From his cherub like face, determined zeal and unmeasurable positivity, Herman could simply will any crowd into having a good time by sheer force of personality.  But give him the weapons around him that he has with Salmon, and there is no way he can be stopped.  And even then, he still managed to call in the troops to help win the night.

Mimi Naja from Fruition came and joined in for a song, repaying Herman’s joining her band earlier in the evening.  Tom Landa and Kalissa Hernandez from Vancouver’s The Paperboys came and provided yet another memorable highlight with their heartfelt rendition of “Sunshine And Water.”  And, in the biggest display of crazy, Love Bomb Go-Go, who was also providing in-between set music in the downstairs portion of the Roseland, paraded up to the main stage through the crowd and proceeded to amp the night’s energy through the roof with a couple of quick tunes before Salmon joined them to ring in the New Year.

While twenty silver clad Mad Max extras provided a mad backdrop and all of Salmon backing him up, Herman led the crowd in a decidedly off kilter countdown that finished with confetti and balloons falling, music pumping and hugs and kisses all around.  It’s hard to imagine a better band to spend New Years with, and Salmon was far from done.  For another two hours they rocked on, finally closing with a loving read of the late Lowell George‘s signature Little Feet hit, “Oh Atlanta,” which Payne played with a misty eyed enjoyment that was heartwarming to witness. 

Most twenty six year-olds are setting into their adulthood and getting serious…but it looks like Leftover Salmon is planning in continuing their arrested development, and we’re all the richer for it!

Portland’s own Fruition warmed up the main stage for Salmon, and likely could have sold out the room themselves.  Their love in their hometown is fierce and well earned.  As sharp and diverse as any band playing these days, they are quickly becoming a force on the national touring scene.  Naja is joined on the front line by Jay Cobb Anderson on guitar and Kellen Asebroek on guitar and keyboards to deliver tunes that range from almost hushed confessionals all the way to joyous declarations of love.  You can easily see where the growing nation respect for the band is coming from by rapt faces on the rail of those who’ve been seeing the band the longest.  Catch them as soon as you can!

 

Setlist: Leftover Salmon at Roseland Theater, Portland, OR – 12/31/15

Set One: Boo Boo, Going Through The Motions, Head Bag, Whiskey For Breakfast/Waterfall, Wandering In Portland (Bill Payne solo), Nothing But Time, Tu Na Pas Aller, Pasta On The Mountain, Just Before The Evening, Zombie Jamboree

Set Two: Auld Lang Syne, Let’s Go Get Em, I Will Survive, Breakin’ Through, Who Stole My Money, Hello (w/ Mimi Naja), All Night Ride, Bird Call, Sunshine and Water (w/ Tom Landa, Kalissa Hernandez), Desperado, Oh, Atlanta

*whole show with Skerik on saxophone
 
Check out a gallery of shots from last nights show from our own Rex Thomson below: