REVIEW: Charlie Hunter Trio @ Sam Bond’s Garage (Eugene, OR – 12/16/10)

FYI… PHOTOS of the SHOW at the BOTTOM

Having just seen Charlie Hunter in May at WOW Hall, I was debating going to see him again so soon.  I mean, he did just release a new CD since the last outing (the solo work Public Domain), but amongst the busy bustle of December, I was hemming & hawing about going.  Boy was that dumb.

Eight words of advice:
Never debate going to see Charlie Hunter.  Ever.

We got there for soundcheck, and our thoughts of skepticism about Sam Bond’s Garage‘s acoustics was quickly put asunder.  Charlie, Eric Kalb (drums) and Mike Williams (bass trumpet) treated us with a few tasty bits of goodness – which included some Thelonious Monk (thanks, Aaron, for the identification).

The show proper was comprised of two hour-long sets… a lot from both of his recent albums, the aforementioned Public Domain and the most excellent Gentlemen, I Neglected To Inform You You Will Not Be Getting Paid.  Charlie’s guitar-work was mesmerizing.  My comments from the WOW Hall show stands…

“One of the most amazing things from the night was watching Charlie play.  His seeming ease at which he plays bass and guitar on one instrument is stunning (and curse-worthy for the guitar aficionado in the crowd).  If you weren’t watching the stage, you’d easily be fooled that it was a quartet and not a trio.  It’s quite an amazing thing to see and hear.  He’s so unassuming about it, too… a showman without the show-off attitude.”

Or as my guitar-playing friend Aaron likes to say… “f*ck that guy” (said lovingly in awe of Charlie’s chops).  He’s so good, yet so unassuming… and he surrounds himself with great musicians.  Eric & Mike filled in the groove where Charlie didn’t.  They all looked like they were having a great time doing it, too.

No setlist, per se.  Just two-plus hours of groove, jazz awesomeness.  They play Mississippi Studios in Portland tonight (Friday, December 17th).

more photos below

The Appropriate Linkage:

• Charlie Hunter’s Site
• Main Band’s Social Media Links (see below)

• My Other Related Reviews~
  • WOW Hall (Eugene – May 2010)
• Sam Bond’s Site / Facebook

~Dan – np: S (Jenn Ghetto) – I’m Not As Good At It As You

CHARLIE HUNTER TRIO PHOTOS
all pictures (cc) 2010 Daniel Temmesfeld,
you may use freely under a creative commons attribution

(click for larger)