BELLOWS FALLS, Vt. – The soulful one-two punch of roots legends Dave Alvin and Jimmie Dale Gilmore recently brought their Almost Acoustic Duo tour to the Bellows Falls Opera House on Saturday night, May 9, while also promoting and performing songs from their previous collaborations together, “TexiCali” (2024) and “Downey to Lubbock” (2018).
While the duo churned up their contrasting guitar blend of blues-folk Americana, the show marked the final date of their spring tour and featured a special guest, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame guitarist, songwriter, author, and Patti Smith Group (PSG) bandleader Lenny Kaye.
After more than 60 years in music, and now 79, Kaye recently released his debut solo album, titled “Goin’ Local,” and performed multiple songs from the solo effort, including the title track and “The Things You Leave Behind,” as well as delivering the PSG classic “Ghost Dance” and the Velvet Underground’s “Run Run Run.”
Additionally, and in between songs, Kaye read short passages from his 2021 book “Lightning Striking,” including memories of recording the iconic 1975 PSG album “Horses,” an interesting touch to his quiet, almost delicate 40-minute set.
Alvin and Gilmore then strolled onstage to a rousing round of applause from the die-hards, with Alvin on electric and Gilmore on acoustic, facing off and synching up as they eased into the single from the aforementioned “TexiCali” album, titled “We’re Still Here.”
Over the next couple of hours, the Grammy Award-winning Alvin and the multi-Grammy Award-nominated Gilmore would create a stunning chemistry onstage that grooved seamlessly between Alvin’s California electric blues and Gilmore’s mellow acoustic-rhythm vibe.
The duo performed several songs from Alvin’s solo albums, including the favorite “Johnny Ace is Dead,” and Gilmore stepped out front for “Tonight I Think I’m Gonna Go Downtown” and the love song written for his wife, “Borderland.” Other highlights included the Blasters’ – Alvin’s former band – cover “Marie Marie” and the Sam Cooke gem “Bring It on Home to Me.”
Kaye would return to the stage at set’s end, as the new trio (you wouldn’t know it, the way they gelled before our eyes) performed three songs, including a cover of the Youngbloods hit “Get Together” and a very cool rendition of “4th of July” by the vintage L.A. alternative band X.
Walking in, this fundamental classic rock fan had no expectations; walking out, a newfound respect for two grizzled, road-tested, talented veteran musicians who have obviously honed their songwriting and guitar-playing crafts into legendary status.