Gypsy Sally’s hosted a release party for Cris Jacobs Band‘s new album, Dust to Gold on Friday, November 4th in Washington, DC. Jacobs, a local favorite and the former front man of The Bridge, has had what the Washington Post dubbed “an inspired year.” Shortly before beginning work on the album, he learned he would be a father and welcomed his daughter into the world only three weeks before Dust to Gold was released.
Jacobs has become a staple at the Georgetown waterfront venue, with frequent performances both with his own group and other projects, like Everyone Orchestra and his annual “A Very Jerry Christmas” shows. The band seems to have settled into a consistent lineup, with Jacobs joined at Gypsy Sally’s by the same crew he recorded the album with; Jonathan Sloane backing up guitar, Todd Herrington on bass, and Dusty Ray Simmons on drums.
They were thrown a curveball when Jacobs’ cigar box guitar (quite literally three strings stretched over a cigar box) stopped working. They’ve never played “Bone Digger” or “Turn into Gold” without it before, but the crowd was into it and those songs became the highlight of the night. As the saying goes, when life gives you lemons, grab your six string and rip a mean solo.
Thanks to taper, Will Urquhart, you can check out soundboard recordings of their full set.