Mesa Legend - ARCHIVES - Vol. 40, Issue 10


Volume 40, Issue 10. Today is .

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Volume 40, Issue 10.
February 25, 2003

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Top acoustic performances in the Valley
By Carly Schorman
Mesa Legend

The greatest songs in music are often the simplest. And there is nothing simpler than the classic singer-songwriter and a guitar. Acoustic shows are a way for musicians to step away from the rest of the band and the rush of rock. Many musicians from the area are taking advantage of opportunities to present what they’ve crafted and strengthen the connection to the songwriter inside. Not only do the performers benefit from the change of pace, but acoustic nights are a great alternative to the rowdy crowds of harder shows. An entire evening can be spent listening to live music without ringing ears or wounds of war from the crowd. Here are just a few of what the valley has to offer by way of acoustic shows . . .

1. Mark Zubia
Few musicians in the valley cross the line between good and great. Mark Zubia is one musician that crosses that line with an enormous jump. Mark is soft spoken but his voice carries both depth and strength that is often overshadowed in his other musical endeavors.

Much of the music performed by Mark is his own. Blending sounds of American rock, Mark’s set resonates with such icons as Elvis, Johnny Cash, and, of course, Bob Dylan.

However, watching his fingers flutter across the fretboard, foregoing chords or convention, it is clear that Mark is a child of mariachi as much as he is of American rock. Only in mariachi does one find the intricacy that elevates his songwriting and blazes the Zubia emblem on the heart of American rock.

2. Shelby James Graber
Through a strange combination of mountain gospel, southern blues, folk and bluegrass, Shelby James Graber made his sound and created contradiction. He would be entirely at home playing on a porch in the Colorado mountains, but thankfully, he brought his music to the valley.

Armed with a number of harmonicas and the ability to play the guitar with the ease others find when breathing, Shelby sings oddly rusted lyrics in a voice surprisingly smooth considering the amount of smoke that has passed through his throat.

Despite his mere 24 years the sound of his music brings to mind images of old weathered bluesmen. Thus, we have our contradiction. With Shelby, don’t expect anything because you will be wrong.

3. Robin Wilson
Robin Wilson draws a crowd. The frontman for local legend, the Gin Blossoms, fills the bar during the usually desolate happy hour before he even arrives. But if you can get a seat, hold on to it because Robin does not disappoint.

Foregoing the hits that made the Gin Blossoms, Robin prefers the more mellow music he wrote that followed the band’s moment in the sun. Truly an exceptional singer/songwriter, Robin has a knack for choosing the most carefully crafted songs from all of rock ‘n roll to fill his set with; Sam Cooke, Bob Dylan, Elton John, Tom Petty . . .
Robin calls himself the “human jukebox,” and is the best jukebox you can find in the valley. He plays all the songs you love even if you don’t know you love them yet.

Honorable Mention: Kylie Babb
The tape that holds his guitar together matches the tape that holds his shoes together. Much like his appearance Kylie Babb’s music is completely unassuming.

Mellow and somewhat melancholy, Babb displays all the signs of heart stomped on love. Babb covers a range of local music during his set in addition to some obscure independent and brit pop musicians. Babb’s music is mildly depressing but in a sweet, calming, European way. Kylie and his guitar create a much different sound when unplugged then when rocking out with Dead Hot Workshop, a band founded by older brother Brent Babb.

Kylie is worth seeing, but if you intend on drinking heavily bring tissue.