Great American Taxi in Denver 4.15.11

Words By J-man
Photos By Carly Marthis
Audio Recording By Corey Sandoval

I had been waiting a long time for this one. I had seen Vince Herman and Great American Taxi a few times at festivals across the country. However, I had never had the pleasure of seeing them in Colorado, their home turf. What's better than a Friday night in Denver with Taxi?!?

We turned out to Cervantes shortly after dinner just in time for sound check. They sifted through equipment/level issues until everything was dialed-in. Following the sound check, Vince Herman joined us in the alley behind the venue for a conversation and some laughs...

Following the interview, I ducked next door for some pizza and a soda before heading out to charge my equipment. Upon returning to Cervantes a couple of hours later, we found it to be hopping. There was a decent turnout and we were right on time, with Taxi hitting the stage within minutes of our arrival. Per usual, the vibe was great at Cervantes. Folks were smiling, laughing, drinking, smoking and enjoying the brighter side of life.

Great American Taxi Live at Cervantes' Masterpiece Ballroom on April 15, 2011.

In typical Vince Herman fashion, the set began with hootin' and hollerin'. We all boarded

the Taxi, and on it went with its Americana engine. With Jim Lewin on guitar, the Americana vibe was taken to another level with his rock lead-style playing. Vince watched and smiled as Jim took over Cervantes.

The first set included songs like "Liza Jane", "Fuzzy Little Hippie Girl", "420 Long Years", "420 Special" and "Whiskey Before Breakfast", creating the standard Taxi party vibe. Vince yelled and made noises with the crowd responding. It wasn't the tightest, most musically trained instrumentation, but it was fun and folks were eating it up!

The second set started fast with "Sailing Shoes" > "Sneakin Sally Through The Alley" > "I Walk on Guilded Splinters" > "Two Trains" > "Sailing Shoes". I was

impressed with the smooth transitions and flowing instrumentation. Vince's mandolin playing caught my attention and once again... I was impressed. The second set also brought an enjoyable version of "Wagon Wheel" that lead into "Straw Man".

As the show went on, the vibe got better and better. They closed out the second set and returned to the stage for a four song encore! Taxi closed the evening with a ten minute "Do What You Wanna" > "Turn on Your Lovelight". There were so many smiling faces as the evening came to a close. Great American Taxi came to throw a party and they did just that.

Set One

New Millennium Blues, Liza Jane, Boo Boo, Albuquerque, Big Sandy River, Fuzzy Little Hippie Girl, American Beauty, Cold Lonely Town, 420 Long Years -> 420 Special, High on a Mountain Top, I'm Still Here, Unpromised Land -> Whiskey Before Breakfast -> Unpromised Land

Set Two

Sailin' Shoes -> Sneakin' Sally Through The Alley -> I Walk On Guilded Splinters -> Two Trains -> Sailin' Shoes, Penny Arcade, Maude, Twilight, The Swamp, Wagon Wheel -> Straw Man, Coming Home To You -> Jack London

Encore

Homegrown, Everything Is Round, Do What You Wanna -> Turn On Your Lovelight

Photo Gallery From The Show

www.greatamericantaxi.com

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