Once again, we were off to the Felton Music Hall for an epic night of musical mastery with Balthvs.
This was my second time catching the band live and the first for the Mrs. And much to my delight she also thought they were great!
Truthfully, sometimes I think I’ve lost my mind when I get as obsessed as I’ve been with Balthvs. I tell anyone that will listen about them. I turned a guitarist buddy of mine, whom I consider one of the best guitarists on the planet, on to the band and he said he was digging them so I figured there must be something there. But for the Mrs, a non-musician, to see them live and state – they were great – I finally feel validated!
Yes ladies and gentlemen, they were great!
I wrote a review about them the last time I saw them play in Santa Cruz a little over a year ago, and while that review was maybe a little over the top with the gushiness, I stand by it. And this time around they were even better.
The primary difference this time around was that founding bassist Johanna was back with the band. Don’t get me wrong, the bassist on the last tour, covering while Johanna was on maternity leave, was absolutely fantastic and did an incredible job, But clearly, Johanna belongs in this band. The chemistry between the players was obvious from the start and they just flowed. From the first note to the last, it was just seamless and beautiful.
And I will reiterate what I said in my last review – guitarist Balthazar Aguirre is a legend in the making. His style is so absolutely his own, his guitar seems like an extension of his person. I’ve seen a lot of amazing guitar players in my time on this big blue rock we call Earth, and Balthazar is in my not-so-humble opinion the best guitarist to hit the scene in the last 20 years. If not longer. If I were granted a wish to spend a day in a recording studio with anyone, it would be Balthazar Aguirre. He is simply phenomenal.
And I don’t say any of that to diminish the contribution of the rhythm section – they are a well oiled machine. Precise, fluid and eminently groovy. Just an astounding combo.
The band played a fantastic set, old and new material, including ALL my favorite tracks of theirs, as well as a couple surprises. During one song they took a seamless segue way into Blind Melon’s No Rain, which frankly isn’t even a song I particularly care for, but they did it so well and arranged it so beautifully, I couldn’t help but be impressed. Later in the set they whipped out a fantastic version of the Grateful Dead’s Shakedown Street and just knocked it out of the park. These musicians have some serious depth to them!
All in all, I give Balthvs an 11 out of 10 for this show. I’ve had an unbelievably exceptional month of music this October and this show topped them all. I don’t make that claim lightly, I assure you. They really are that good.
This tour is almost wrapped – they played SF tonight, then a couple shows in the PNW and that’s it for this leg. But I’m telling you, put Balthvs on your radar and watch for them to come to your town. You DO NOT want to miss this band. See them now before you need to see them in an arena!!
Thank you Balthazar, Johanna and Santiago for a stunning, spectacular night of music!
And thank you reader, for stopping by!
