Whelan’s is the perfect venue to feature the music of The Delines. The intimate surroundings and superb room sound are perfectly aligned with the sweetly relaxed atmosphere generated by Willy Vlautin’s observations and vignettes; wrapped in soft tones and hushed sentiments as the very gifted Amy Boone brings these soulful story songs to life, adding rich colours with her pure vocal tone.
Starting off a short European tour this evening, the five musicians are focused on the most recent release Mr.LUCK and Ms. DOOM and seven songs feature in the setlist. There is a capacity crowd for the show and the sense of community in the room is palpable as everyone drifts on a feeling of quiet reverie. There are seventeen songs performed in total and highlights include the band dynamic on Haunted Thoughts, Calling In, and Don’t Think less Of Me, all performed with a joyous restraint in the delivery. A few new songs are featured with When It’s Three O’Clock and Walking With His Sleeves Down both capturing the creative genius of Wily Vlautin in capturing a moment, a reflection, a state of mind, in his words.
Other songs included, are Gold Dreaming and My Blood Bleed the Darkest Blue, from the LOST DUETS EP, while some recent favourites are featured with The Imperial, Drowning In Plain Sight, Little Earl and That Old Haunted Place. The duet between Amy and Willy on Walking With His Sleeves Down is particularly memorable with the keyboard sonics adding to the build in the melody and wringing plenty of emotion from the trumpet parts that ride the wave. The final song of a well-deserved encore sees the musicians gather around the mics to deliver a special moment on Dilaudid Diane, as yet unrecorded, and the superb harmonies reflect on the influence of opioid pain medications.
Amy Boone (vocals), Cory Gray (keyboards, trumpet), Sean Oldham (percussion, vocals), Freddy Trujillo (bass, vocals), and Willy Vlautin (guitar, vocals) all perform with an elan, and the world-weary songs are given a quiet resilience in the nuanced delivery of Amy’s vocal. Songs from the margins of society beautifully framed in the characters that form the daily glue in this play of life. What a unique sound, delivered by a special band of musicians, and all pointing towards continued success as they continue to develop their craft.
Support tonight is from the talented Chris Eckman and his astute observations into the human condition landed perfectly with the respectful audience who listened intently. Chris recalled his last gig in Whelan’s all of 24 years ago, with his band The Walkabouts, and he speaks of his love of Irish literature while playing a short set. Songs performed were Town Lights Fade, Genevieve, and Running Hot from his most recent solo release THE LAND WE KNOW BEST. He also included an old Walkabouts song with The Stopping-Off Place, which featured alongside The Curving Track from an earlier solo album, WHERE THE SPIRIT RESTS.
Review and image by Paul McGee