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Review: Paramount Room
There are still smiles on our faces from last night’s show at Schubas. The Duhks, who hail from Winnipeg, defy categorization. Sure, they’re playing bluegrass, but there are elements of soul, gospel, Brazilian samba, straight-up country, African beats and Celtic harmonies mixed in, too. On paper it sounds like a mess, but live it sounds like home.
The Grammy-nominated quintet took songs from other artists and truly made them their own. From Led Zeppelin’s “Whole Lotta Love,” complete with the requisite hip-grinding by vocalist Sarah Dugas, to Leonard Cohen’s haunting “Everybody Knows” and Tracy Chapman’s “Mountains O’ Things” we were playing "Name That Tune" most of the night.
The Duhks’ instrumentals featured the phenomenal percussion of Scott Senior, the bow-destroying fiddling of Tania Elizabeth, the twang of Leonard Podolak’s banjo, and the almost beaten instead of played guitar of Jordan McConnell. These elements all came together in brilliant interplay that can only happen when a band is on top of their game and enjoying it. The emotion of the sultry vocals on “Death Come A Knockin’” and the song that has given them their most accolades, “Heaven’s My Home,” proved that The Duhks have nothing to worry about when it comes to creating their own contemporary folk music.
About a third of the way into the set, Dugas — lead singer for all of two months — explained what The Duhks are trying to achieve when they are up on the stage. She talked of “kitchen parties” where everyone just starts singing and picking along to a tune, adding to the moment and making communal music, while munching on some snacks and having a few drinks — a kind of gathering related in Uncle Tupelo’s “Screen Door.” Judging from the hoots, hollers, and stomps throughout the audience we had all been searching for just such a hootenanny. The Duhks achieved an intimate and creative, yet informal kitchen party last night and like all great parties, it was over too soon.
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I wish you could've seen them with their old singer. The show was OK, but Sarah's stage presence wasn't anything like Jessie's was. And I've never seen them do so many instrumentals in one set; I suspect it's because the band knows she's not as strong of a vocalist.
As someone who lobbied for Julene and others to attend the show, I can't speak for the stage presence of Jessica Havey, since this was apparently their first show in Chicago (someone please correct me if this isn't true). Dugas, however, was able to hold her own, her voice has a richer tone than Havey's (Havey has a rougher voice on record, smokier and scratchy at times for those blues and ragtime numbers the Duhks throw in the mix), and it's also worth repeating that this is only Dugas' second month in the band. They're all still probably feeling out each other, finding out how to play off each other onstage, and seeing what works and what doesn't, although they all seemed to be enjoying the hell out of themselves Thursday night.
It was a shame that Schubas wasn't as packed as it could have been. That show was phenomenal.
Say what you want about Sarah, but she will never replace Jessie. Jessie's sound was unique & she could croon or wail as the song required. The Duhks 2 stars are & always will be----Jessie & Tania. No further discussion needed.
I've been a Duhks fan for a while and have seen many shows including Jessie and have seen a few show with Sarah. I think that each one of them bring their own outstanding performance. Every show that I have seen of the Duhks has always had a lot of instrumentals in one set (the fans like to dance and they seem to feed of the crowd dancing and having a good time). Jessie has a great unique voice, but have you heard Sarah blow those pipes? Have you caught them covering "Whole Lotta Love"? She's still warming up and getting in better sync with the rest of them each and every performance. She's kickn' a** and taking names and it's only been 2 months. Catch a show and you'll see what I'm saying. Jessie has got a new group and I can't wait to hear what Jessie brings out on her new endeavor. But I have to say that I'm a Sarah fan. It seems that she mixes well with the group and bring the group a different and wonderful energy. Sarah and Tania (along with the rest of the Duhks family) seem to have a deeper connection playing together and seem to having more fun jamming together. It is also nice to see the whole Duhks family on stage throughout the show. Jessie always disappeared when she had no vocal part, whereas Sarah stays out there and plays a triangle/tambourine or just joins in by sitting back and just enjoying what here fellow group members are jamming to and ready to jump if the moment draws her in.
So don't be a SITTING DUHK!! Get up and MIGRATE on over and shake DOWN them TAIL FEATHERS and QUACK OUT on some WEB tapping, TAIL shaking good o'l music. The FLOCK is with you so QUACK ON!!
I completely agree Liza Jane, I think Sarah is amazing.
When I initially heard that Jessee wasn't going to be performing with the band (after I purchased tickets), I was upset. To me, her voice WAS The Duhks. But I left Thursday's show saying something I never have said about a band before: "the lead singer truly was the most expendable member." Don't get me wrong, I absolutely LOVE Jessee's voice and I can't wait to hear what music she puts out next, but The Duhks could not exist without Tania, Jordan, Leonard, or Scott. It is the amazing ability of those four players that make this band what it is.
The addition of Sarah Dugas is a treasure, in my opinion. Her vocal range is out of this world, and she has a playfulness about her that I never once got from Jessee.
I love The Duhks, I love Sarah, and I can't wait for an album!
Sarah can't hold a candle to Jessee Havey. I saw them at Merlefest and I was totally disapointed in the performance. Jesse is by far the better vocalist and her stage presence was awesome.
My Family and I have been Duhks fans for several years. I love them no matter what. They send out great vibes that reach us all. My daughters were disappointed when we found out Jesse left the band. We caught their show in Jax, FL and had a blast. Sarah rocks! She is having fun and I loved that she stayed on stage all night. I always wondered why Jesse left and had commented on that. Love the Duhks and always will
Seattlite posting here, so I haven't had the opportunity yet for a show with Sarah. I bought the Merlefest album, though, and I love it. I've played "Whole Lotta Love" so many times I've lost count. *heh*
Jesse is a loss, and I'll be watching for what she does next. Sara is as good a replacement as you could ask for. Wil the band be the same with Sara leading? No, of course not. Will they still be a great "eclectic contemporary folk" band? You bet! If the Duhks DO get out to Seattle this year, you can bet I'll be first in line for the tickets.