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March 7th, 2007 @ The Basement—THE COAL MEN Musicians, perhaps more than anybody, experience the frustrations of imperfection with such regularity that it is remarkable more professional musicians do not become deeply depressed. On rare occasions, however, everything comes together with precision—the soundman nails it, the guitars all stay in tune, the players transcend their usual creative limitations—and the "event" occurs, which cannot be re-captured. Wednesday night's performance from The Coal Men was just such an event. Chris Frame joined the band on lead guitar, and his (warmer than expected) precision tele picking was (and is) on par with the playing of Nashville session ace Kenny Vaughan. Frame's guitar-work added warmth and texture to The Coal Men's bright guitar-driven brand of alt-country, as he delivered in-the-pocket bluesy southern-rock guitar riffs reminiscent of early Black Crowes. Dave Coleman's trumpet-like vocals were as strong as ever. However, with his lead vocals pulled back in the mix just enough, the solid three-part harmonies filled the room. For 45 minutes, The Coal Men put on a near-perfect set of BoDeans influenced alternative rock/country, delivering tight three-part harmonies (drummer, Dave Ray's pitch-perfect backing vocals deserve attention) and telecaster heavy Nashville chicken pickin. Indeed, because Coleman is himself an accomplished tele-shredder, Frame and Coleman often traded brief guitar solos that pushed all of the guitarists in the room to the edge of their seats. All we could ask from these guys was more time. Give The Coal Men, with the addition of Frame, a two-hour set (without more material) and force Coleman and Frame to fill the space with longer alternating guitar solos—and watch, as a new alt-country jam band emerges from Nashville obscurity into mainstream rock. We can only hope.
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