One of the most liberating aspects of Rane was our special events. A DIY organization in every sense of the word, we would strive to create entirely unique concert experiences on a shoestring budget. For the most part, these events came together as they were intended, not without a fair amount of hiccups and growing pains, mind you.
One of these events, somehow someway came in two installments. One Night Low Light first took place at the Equator Club in Manchester, CT. The concept was simple: an acoustic show lit by candles akin to VH1’s “Storytellers”. It is at this point the editor must admit to the public I have absolutely no memory of either, other than the fact that they happened. Sure, I remember lighting candles at both events with general managers breathing down my neck about fire codes this and public safety that. I was too young and stoned to care. This was our baby and we’d make sure no one was hurt.
Ten-ish years later I had moved to Burlington and a family member found out she had breast cancer. It rocked the family hard and I felt the only way I could help was a benefit with my local musician friends and of course, my family, Rane. The band had made Burlington a regular tour stop over the years and for some reason, all I could picture for this night at Metronome (upstairs from Nectar’s) was a return to One Night Low Light. There was an irreplicable warmth when the band played acoustic I hadn’t heard in a long time and now, listening back to the show, I felt that warmth all over again. That was the love this show needed in the heart of the evening.
My apologies for forgetting who the opener was. It may have even been a DJ set by me. I have no idea. We can thank “The Road” for that. I do know (thanks to the tapes) that my dear friends Turkey Bouillon Mafia closed the night out. Benny Yurco, lead guitar player, went on to play guitar for Grace Potter and the Nocturnals and still does to this day. You never know who you are going to play a gig with. But I digest…
As far as the music is concerned, Alan is in prime form with his vocals taking center stage and Dan nailing his harmonies. Most interesting harmonic change is the “Magnetic North” chorus with Alan particularly strong on new arrangement. We hear the now rare “In The Bending Light”, pieced together from a song I wrote and a song Griffy wrote. Alan had a knack for “blending” songs together to make new pieces. It was always interesting to see how Alan saw two songs married and this one is a good example of that. The musical highlight is a seamless Goomba->Castles that flows and sounds like audio butter. The banter is classic with an intro from yours truly that I am never going to be able to unhear. Thankfully for you guys Jesse has omitted the intro for the sake of posterity.
The entire process of creating Rane 20 is putting these memories and feelings back into our immediate scope and it’s a lot to process. While you are in the midst of it, that’s all there is. Perspective takes the backseat. Now, with 20 years behind us, we can relive these moments in an entirely new light, as we hope all of you are experiencing.
See you all very soon.
Sincerely Yours Probably,
Wyllys
Stay tuned for our next archive release. Till then, don’t forget to grab your tickets to our
20th Anniversary at Iron Horse Music Hall.