LIVE: Lost Radio Rounders @ The Cock ‘n Bull, 7/24/2020

After what seems like forever, music is back at the Cock ‘n Bull in Galway.  Last week, Jim Gaudet & The Railroad Boys re-opened the concerts.  Unfortunately, the weather didn’t cooperate, so they had to move the show indoors.  Friday, the Lost Radio Rounders were up (they were originally scheduled for last March but that show was canceled at the last minute due to the measures set up to combat the pandemic) and the weather could not have been better.  While the day started out hot, as showtime approached, it became a nice cool evening on the patio.  The two big fans installed also kept the air moving and added to the pleasantness.

If you haven’t seen the Lost Radio Rounders, they play old-time music.  In fact, I believe there isn’t much after the 1940s in their repertoire.  Originally known as the Gospel Train, playing, as the name suggests, old-time Gospel, such as the Carter Family.  As their catalog expanded, they began to do educational programs at libraries and other venues the duo of Michael Eck and Tom Lindsay changed the name to Lost Radio Rounders, as these truly have become lost gems as far as radio is concerned. 

Some of their historical programs have included the political songs of yesteryear (and you thought current political ads are hitting below the belt) as well as their Gospel program.  The latest of these programs is a temperance set where they’ve re-introduced a litany of songs on the evils of alcohol.  While generally performing as a duo, this night, they were joined by one of their favorite guests, Evan Conway (Holly & Evan Band), who quite ably backed up the rhythm on upright bass.

Lindsay, being the primary singer/rhythm guitarist, began the show with Texas Hambone Blues, starting off with a selection of traditional music.  Along the way, they weaved their way through their programs.  Their Gospel songs included, the Carter Families “Heaven Radio” and others such as “Gospel Plow”,”Pharoah’s Army” and “No Hiding Place Down Here.”  One of my favorites, actually comes from their temperance program, “Mr Crump Don’t Like It.”  Nowadays, the song actually comes across as pretty funny as they list some of the members of their congregation and their vices with the tie in that Mr Crump don’t like it.  During the evening, they also drew heavily on Eck’s other band The Ramblin Jugstompers, who have sadly not played since the passing of one of their quartet, Wild Bill (Greg Haymes), with songs such as, the Buck Owens classic, “Love Doesn’t Live Here”, as well as Stomper mainstays like “Old Plank Road” and “Blues In A Bottle”, sung by Eck.

As stated above, Lindsay is the primary singer and rhythm guitarist which leaves the soloing duties to the multi-instrumentalist, Eck, who this night played both mandolin and resonator guitar punctuating their selections with some tasty licks.  Conway joined in the soloing on a couple of songs earning some appreciation from the nice sized socially distant crowd.  Despite not getting together in months, their timing, both musically, and between song quips were pretty much spot on.  Not surprising, since the primary duo have played together since…..6 o’clock, as Eck said, although the real number is actually numbered in decades. 

The evening was perfect for an outdoor concert and the setting could not have been better, although the band area was a little cramped.  And as always, the Cock & Bull’s food and selection of local brewery offerings makes for a comfortable setting.  It’s wonderful to see live music back there.