Squirrel Nut Zippers was warmly welcomed to the Wonder Ballroom. With the temperature spiking at over 100 degrees that day, the Wonder Ballroom provided a steamy venue for this hot band. An eclectic crowd of all ages braved the heat and showed its appreciation for this talented and quirky band.
Katharine Whalen, dressed in an outfit reminiscent of a French scullery maid, held court center stage. Her sultry voice provides the perfect sound for the blues and jazz style which seem to epitomize the Squirrel Nut Zippers. The colorful James “Jimbo” Mathus, wearing his bright, feathered cap, acted as Whalen’s counterpoint. His guitar anchored the group, and his antics and energy provided the focal point of the show.
From the moment they took the stage, Squirrel Nut Zippers filled the Wonder Ballroom with a powerful, full-throated sound. With a stunning brass section, pounding drum beat, superb guitars, and dynamic violinist, they are, indeed, a force to be reckoned with. But to this group there is also a softer, composed side of gentle blues rhythm. It is this rollercoaster of sounds that makes their musical genre so difficult to classify; such a wonderfully addicting tease of happy, sad, slow, fast.
The evening was a clever mix of old and new including: “It Ain’t You,” “Prince Nez,” “I’ve Found A New Baby” and “Metal Heart” encased within a sweaty stage show of dance, slide, and the occasional unison maraca wave.
The group ended with their trademark “The Ghost of Stephen Foster” (a personal favorite of this contributor). The epic song, a tribute to Stephen Foster (a.k.a. the “Father of American music”), tells the tale of a man from whom Squirrel Nut Zippers draws great inspiration. Foster, who is credited with such well-known works as “Camptown Races” and “Oh! Susanna”, maintains a strong presence in the sound which is Squirrel Nut Zippers. This raucous, energy packed piece, paired with a creepy old movie cartoon projected on a screen behind the group, provided a superb finale to a great show on a hot summer evening.
Set List
1. Club Limbo
2. Memphis Exorcism
3. Good Enough For Grandad
4. It Ain't You
5. Wash Jones
6. Drivin' Me Crazy
7. Danny Diamond
8. Fat Cat
9. Prince Nez
10. La Grippe
11. Put A Lid On It
12. My Drag
13. Lowdown Man
14. Do What
15. Bad Businessman
16. Hell
17. The Ghost of Stephen Foster
18. Metal Heart
19. Suits Are Picking Up the Bill
20. Flight of the Passing Fancy
21. Blue Angel
22. It's Over
