Bay Area band Midnight North, who blend Americana, rock and a hint of soulful blues have a harmony base that is both beautiful and comforting, a wall of vocals that can envelop you in ways that just feels right. Their recent 420 show at Petaluma’s Mystic Theater was an exceptional showcase of why they are fast becoming one of the hottest, up and coming bands in the Bay Area and the US.
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Midnight North has worked very hard to get to the level they are now at, and you can tell that in their solid performances. Fronting the band is the duo-team of Elliott Peck and Grahame Lesh, who share responsibilities as songwriters, vocalists and guitarists (rhythm for Peck, lead for Lesh). Keys player Alex Jordan jumps back and forth between his electronic keyboard and his Hammond B3, adding a passionate energy to the depth and beauty of the songs, all while lending his voice to the superb harmonies. Sean Nelson, who’s elegant but powerful drumming blends beautifully with dexterous bass player Connor O’Sullivan, and together they hold down tight rhythms.
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The band’s set included a version of the Rolling Stone’s “Tumblin’”, the troubadour vibe of “Long View”, the rollicking “Little Black Dog” and Peck’s gorgeous and heartbreaking “Green Country”, an incredible soul-tinged cover of Van Morrison’s “Into The Mystic” and an encore of “All Remains The Same”. Special guests Ben Morrison (The Brothers Comatose) & Erika Tietjen (T Sisters), (who opened the night with their own duo), sang “Tennessee Whiskey” with bravado and amazing force. Guest sax player Michael Bello punctuated the songs with great feeling and guest guitarist Luther Dickinson (North Mississippi All Stars) jammed and shredded in conjunction to Lesh’s guitar. A special moment of the night was when Phil Lesh himself hopped on stage to share “Wind & Roses” with his amazing son.
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