I especially liked last night’s rendition of “Dew in the Grass”, which you can sample here:

I’ll confess to not knowing anything about Sea Wolf before they appeared on the SMF schedule, partially thanks to support from Savannah Stopover. But the band seemed a perfect choice in the ongoing efforts of the SMF to program more modern acts alongside the various genres of traditional music that the SMF specializes in.

The seats were nearly all full under the pavilion last night, plus a good number of us chose to stand for all or most of the show in the back near the soundboard. The rapt attention at the front of the space set a respectful tone that seemed appropriate for the music, but a number of friends noted that they’d love to catch Sea Wolf in a rock club, where the energy would be different.

Although a couple of dozen listeners pushed up toward the stage and stood during the final songs, the layout of the seating limited interactions between the band and the audience. Of course, I should also add that Savannah has limited venues for a standup show for a band of Sea Wolf’s stature. The recently renovated ballroom at the Knights of Columbus, which Savannah Stopover made such good use, is one of the few spots with adequate capacity.

In a post yesterday, I talked about the diversification of SMF audiences, a goal that’s definitely furthered by bringing an act like Sea Wolf.

Sea Wolf’s Old World Romance is now available on iTunes.

A photo posted yesterday to the Sea Wolf Facebook page, which has over 70,000 fans:

Click here to go straight to the SMF site with more info on each act.

I have to say that I’m most excited to see The Wailers, even though it’s been over 30 years since Bob Marley died. I haven’t double checked, but I don’t think the SMF has ever had a reggae act, and we rarely get great reggae acts coming through town at all. I haven’t seen a reggae show of this scale in Savannah since Black Uhuru played outside on River Street more than 15 years ago. Bonus points to anyone else who remembers that.

Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks have played the SMF before, but this is a welcome return. The Tedeschi Trucks Band will play the big stage of Johnny Mercer Theatre. So will Old Crow Medicine Show, which has gigs later this year lined up with both The Avett Brothers and Mumford & Sons.

Dr. John is into his 70s now, but I hear great things about his most recent album and about his recent live shows. I bought tickets for that show too.

Sea Wolf will play at the Ships of the Sea North Garden. From Sea Wolf’s Facebook page:

Taking its name from novelist Jack Londonâ€s 1904 seafaring adventure, Sea Wolf has evolved organically from its hermetic origins in Alex Brown Churchâ€s living room into a muscular, full-bodied musical entity with passion to burn. After adopting the sobriquet, Church burst onto the music scene in two-fisted fashion with the EP, Get to the River Before It Runs Too Low, and the subsequent full-length debut album, Leaves in the River, about which Interview magazine observed, “His music is both erudite and unvarnished, a blend of swirling melodies, literary balladry and damaged art-rock composition.”

Here’s a taste of Sea Wolf:

Old Crow Medicine Show

A great community event to flesh out an already meaty SMF lineup.

To take you out, here’s Old Crow Medicine Show: