Rambling Holiday Revue Review Review Review

Merry Christmas! That’ll be $4 for that PBR.

The Rambling Holiday Review delivered last Friday night at Wilmington’s Soapbox–unfortunately the audience didn’t–but that didn’t stop Justin Lacy & The Swimming Machine, Katharine Whalen & the Fascinators, and Mike Blair & The Stonewalls from putting on a kickin’ show. Makes me want a back band.

Justin Lacy & The Swimming Machine started off the night with their own brand of gypsy chamber pop and renditions of “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch” and “Hava Nagila.” Lacy never fails to bring heaps of energy to the stage, backed by his seven, sometimes eight, piece band which includes a percussive tap dancer, two drum kits and a dude with a Santa hat and a tambourine. However unsure I may be of the necessity of the latter, he did have a mustache. In fact, the mustache-o-meter gives Justin Lacy & The Swimming Machine two handlebars up!

Katharine Whalen and her Fascinators were up next–former Squirrel Nut Zippers front woman commanding the stage with tremendous grace per usual. Donning a green floral Barbie Doll dress circa 1964 and a halo of tropical flowers, Whalen never fails to retroactively satisfy. She was also at her best musically as I have seen her in some time–the set list for the Rambling Review featuring emotionally developed lyricism, stunning vocals, and a new guitarist who shreds like Sargento (forgive the poor quip).

Mike Blair & The Stonewalls closed out the night with their self-coined “music for the self-medicating.” Impressive vocals from Blair and music carrying more baby-making flavor than typical of the Stonewalls–methinks someone has been watching Adrian Lyne movies. A highlight of the performance was bassist David Graham singing Van Morrison’s “Tupelo Honey” (happy birthday, by the way, David). Remember Blair & the Stonewalls as an act that genuinely enjoys themselves onstage–an audience member perhaps feeling more privy to a friendly, well-timed, living room jam session than a show with a cover charge, though Blair’s music always lends itself to a live audience.