They opened the show with the song that opens the album, California Zephyr. Setting the tone for the show, this airy song echoes a trip down the 101 on a sunny Southern California day. Infused with troubadour sensibility the song introduces the listener to the theme of the album with the same ease you might expect of a seasoned tour guide. You know you're in for a journey.
With influences such as Country music, Los Angeles, San Francisco, agriculture, the beach and the mountains playing such a prominent role in the tracks, you feel as if you are getting the premiere beatnik tour of California. The sweep of the slide guitar, Jay's deep, slow-moving tone with just barely a hint of southern drawl, and Ben's voice with it's earnest hope are perfect compliments to the pastoral images in the lyrics.
In an effort to portray a full vision of the beat influence and not simply the idealized version that younger generations place on a pedestal there are darker songs. Breathe Our Iodine gives the folk album the necessary depth and dimension with a low, repetitive guitar and menacing organ channels Kerouac's own dark corners of alcoholism.
The show and the album are definitely worth checking out if you are a fan of either Jay's or Ben's, a lover of California history, beat poetry aficionado......or all of the above. Enjoy!
