WERS 88.9 fm - performance wrap-up: the adam ezra group

By Daniel Kobialka
7.6.10

A heat wave dominated Boston over the Fourth of July weekend, but Adam Ezra cooled fans with a heartfelt acoustic performance at Club Passim in Cambridge, which had them cheering, singing, and laughing in the heat.

Adam Ezra kicked off the Fifth of July festivities by introducing opener John Colvert, who took fans on a roller-coaster ride with his half-hour opening set. Colvert began the set with slow, melodious songs, including “As Is” and “Static,” then moved into a faster mix of country and folk, and closed the set with a stirring rendition of “The Great Brighton Fire.” Ezra joined Colvert on stage, not only during Colvert’s cover of the Band’s “The Weight,” but also to handle washboard duties during the performance.

Ezra followed with a melodious set of his own, that featured acoustic versions of hits such as “You Paint Me,” “She’s Just a Girl,” and “Wagon Wheel.” Ezra delighted the audience with stories about the creation of many of his songs, strong guitar skills, and special appearances. Special guests included fiddler Jackie Damsky, and Adam Ezra Group members: Turtle and Josh Gold.

Joanne Hammil, Ezra’s mother, may have received the biggest ovation of the night when she joined her son on stage. Hammil and Ezra sang “So Soon in the Morning,” a traditional religious hymn that received raucous applause. In addition, the duo sang “Left, Right,” a rousing round Hammil wrote, which featured both singers marching in a military style to maintain the song’s beat.

Ezra maintained a positive, casual conversation with the audience throughout the show. He had fans laughing with personal stories—included his refusal to pay $30 for sandals in Harvard Square before the show—and his hilarious Fourth of July experience that he described as “the aftermath of feces.” Ezra invited fans to join the fun as well, and they answered the call by actively participating in the performance. Fans sang the chorus of “Scandal” with Ezra, providing a strong presence in the upbeat, fast-paced hit. The audience showed off its singing skills by joining the band in the singing of “Hallelujah,” singing the song’s chorus in unison. Fans had the opportunity to meet Ezra and other band members after the performance because he stayed behind and shook the hands of fans exiting the club.

Ezra and bandmates gave fans much more than an acoustic performance; they provided fans with an interactive experience, bringing life to a hot, post Fourth of July celebration.

Images by Seth Applebaum

Related Links: Exclusive Adam Ezra in-studio interview & performance