I'm always glad to see Acoustic Alchemy when they come to town, and this time around was no exception.  In fact, I was anticipating it even more with the release of their first new CD in four years, Roseland.  I love the sense of familiarity that comes with hearing much loved favorite tunes being played and experienced as they were meant to be.  There is also something exciting about hearing new material played live for the first time.  I can't tell you how many times I've purchased new music, heard a song I liked, and thought, I can't wait to hear that one performed live.

The band opened with "No Messin'," which is a great way to start a show.  It sets the mood and gets everyone in the audience moving – a sure sign of things to come.  They had to reach back, way back, (23 and 24 years respectively) for "Overnight Sleeper" and "Stone Circle," as well as for some of the other tunes they played for this show.  I'm happy to report that they played some of my favorite Acoustic Alchemy tunes: "Angel of the South," "The Last Flamenco," "Passion Play," "Tuff Puzzle" and the always beautiful "Ariane," which highlights the talents of band leader Greg Carmichael and always receives the highest compliments from the audience.  We heard the first single, "Marrakesh" and "One for Shorty," from the new release.  The audience took to both tunes immediately; they were fresh, they were new, and they were upbeat.  You could see and feel the excitement for the new music reflected in the band. That excitement extended itself to the audience, and we were all grooving to the new songs.  As part of the band's encore, we heard "A Kinder Loving," also from the new CD, which emphasized the softer side of Acoustic Alchemy.  And, what would an Acoustic Alchemy concert be without their reggae songs.  People loved hearing "Jamaica Heartbeat" and "The Beautiful Game," two of their more popular reggae numbers.

Everyone played well and got a chance to shine that night; Greg Carmichael on "Ariane," Miles Gilderdale on "Jamaica Heartbeat," Fred White on "Passion Play," and Greg and Gary, the awesome Grainger brothers' rhythm section on "Tuff Puzzle." 

Here is a band that has been making good, solid music for nearly a quarter of a century.  In a field where longevity is sometimes the exception rather than the rule, that alone is impressive.  Through the years they've had their share of changes and challenges to overcome, but nothing has stopped the music from happening.  They've developed a style that works well for them that their fans have embraced and look forward to hearing with each new album, DVD, or concert.  So, while the concert memories are still fresh, I'm going to play some Acoustic Alchemy music and think ahead to next year when they cross the pond again and return to the Birchmere.