In the fall when I purchased tickets for the Grace Potter and the Nocturnals show at the Infinity Music Hall this past Wednesday (Jan. 20), I really didn’t know too much about either Potter or her band.

I was looking for a show so we could go back to one of our favorite venues in Connecticut. The come-on promo at Infinity’s web site is what inticed me, plus the timing was right, the night and so forth.

After getting the tix, I explored the Net a bit and found a number of videos of the band, although I didn’t know at the time the band would be slightly reconfigured when the date came around. I was impressed. I found Potter obviously has a set of prodigious pipes, and although still fairly young, 27, has been playing for a quite a while — the band was formed in 2002 —and evidently has been touring relentlessly.

Her range is striking as she effortlessly hits stratospheric notes and although her voice has its own special quality and character, there are moments when she recalls Janis Joplin in phrasing and inflection, only with a smoother, more proficient delivery and attack than Joplin ever exhibited.

The music is blues- and soul-based rock with elements of country, reggae and American roots music at times. The band is strong throughout, but this is definitely a unit whose whole is greater than the sum of its parts, meaning they gel beautifully as a group. And, of course, they have an extraordinary frontwoman/singer, who plays a lot of Hammond B-3 and some guitar throughout the night.

No question Potter is what makes this outfit special. She writes interesting blues-drenched tunes with direct, quirky and glib lyrics. I was basically hearing everything for the first time, but I didn’t note a clinker of a tune in either of the two sets the band played.

The setlist and photos come from fans who are evidently much more familiar with the group than I and there is the feeling from them that this night was one that started cool and finished hot. It appeared from here that the set started hot, cooled in places and then was taken up a level during their return for the second set. Though many of the songs were memorable even at first listen and built on fiery, infectious grooves, I can’t think of one that was better than the opener, I’ve Got The Medicine That Everybody Wants. (Check out the video below from July, 2009). The only tune that felt out of place and curious was the cover of Take My Breath Away from the movie Top Gun, not because Potter didn’t sing it wonderfully, but it’s simply not much of a song.

The other cover the band played for an encore, Jefferson Airplane’s White Rabbit (video below from December, 2009), was executed very well, intense and driving, but I agree with the poster of the setlist, Potter’s vocal is drenched too much in digital delay for effect. If they ever record it in the studio, which I believe they may have since their album in the works is to be songs inspired by the Tim Burton film Almost Alice, produced by T-Bone Burnett, that delay would just ruin a marvelous performance. Let’s trust in T-Bone, who rarely makes a bad move. And by the way, I couldn’t think of a better producer for this group.

Bassist Catherine Popper joined the group this summer along with rhythm guitarist Benny Yurco. They join lead guitarist Scott Tournet and drummer Matthew Burr in the latest Nocturnals lineup.

A thoroughly enjoyable night and our first exposure to a special group. I have a feeling this band will eventually break bigger than the cult status they enjoy now. Potter certainly deserves to have her music and performance reach a larger audience. If you get the chance, don’t hesitate, check this band out.

Setlist
Medicine
Joey
Goodbye Kiss
One Short Night
Things I Never Needed
Colors
Mastermind
Money
Ah Mary
Nothing But The Water Part I
Nothing But The Water Part II
2:22
Oasis
Apologies
Low Road
Stop The Bus
If I was From Paris
Take My Breathe Away
Big White Gate
Sweet Hands

White Rabbit

Setlist courtesy of K. Cortez from archive.org

Photos by Nanci at archive .org