Mandolin Orange
November 18, 2016
Haw River Ballroom
Saxapahaw, NC

Sony PCM-M10 Linear PCM Recorder (internal mics, auto levels, low-sensitivity mic setting) > cdwav > TLH (FLAC 6) > DIME > you

This show just may become my absolute most satisfying capture, ever. A rich, fulfilling capture that will captivate and comfort you on a rainy day, or on a nice long drive in the country...

First off, I had already resigned myself to having to miss all THREE of these way-sold-out Mandolin Orange homecoming shows here in the Triangle this weekend. I had missed the annoucement of
these shows, and then didn't even make an effort to find a ticket because of weekend family obligations... but it turned out that the stars then aligned, and at 7:15 p.m. I uncovered a miracle
ticket for this first show of this NC weekend run at the intimate Haw River Ballroom in Saxapahaw, NC (about 20 miles or so from my home in Chapel Hill) and thankfully was able to pull it off ...
and a big THANK YOU goes out to a neighbor and new best friend Jennifer who not only offered up her extra, she wouldn't take my money for the ticket ! I couldn't even buy her a beer lol !
Thanks again Jennifer !

I don't recall being this excited to see a band live since maybe The Carolina Chocolate Drops, or was it Blackberry Smoke ? The Avett Brothers ? Anyway, this wonderful and whimsical band is worth
the hype and did not disappoint. And honestly, this is just about as good as an audience recording gets to my ears (at least a recording captured on the PCM-M10 using the internal mics I guess).
I was even able to get in early and positioned myself on the open floor directly under the small speaker stack. Why o why this venue didn't line this small floor with folding chairs is a huge mystery
to me and my aching back, but besides having to stand the entire performance, the crowd around me and throughout the venue was so wonderfully quite and attentive..adoring really as I'm sure many friends
and family were in the room on this night. I've been listening to this in my car all day and the capture (and performance) are just so warm and joyous... the capture has wonderful atmosphere and warmth..
and I urge you to check this one out if you don't know this band yet.

And if you don't already know, Emily Frantz is a major talent and I personally am absolutely smitten by her voice, her beauty, and her all-around glowing stage persona. She is having so much fun on stage
and her voice is so pure and intoxicating. Her harmonies with Andrew are sweet and impassionated, and it sounds like they've been singing together since they were two. The songwriting is confident and mature,
hook-y without being trite. They look like teenagers but express themselves like old, old souls.. it's just a really fun band and yet another shining example of the unique and oh-so-talented North Carolina
roots music scene that represents the state so lovingly... so good on you Mandolin Orange ! Keep the music flowing y'all.

As always, do what you want with this, except sell it for goodness sake... because that ain't cool...


Setlist :

01. intro
02. Hey Stranger
03. Old Ties And Companions
04. Wildfire
05. Lonesome Whistle
06. instrumental ?
07. Turtle Dove & The Crow
08. That Wrecking Ball
09. There Was A Time
10. My Blinded Heart
11. Echo
12. Rounder
13. My Proud Mountain (Townes Van Zandt cover)
14. Gospel Shoes
15. Take This Heart Of Gold (your humble taper would like to sincerely and wholeheartedly apologize for my untimely sneeze)
16. Waltz About Whiskey
17. Hard Travelin'
18. crowd
19. Easy From Now On (Emmylou Harris cover)
20. Bird On A Wire (Leonard Cohen cover) *sung by Josh Moore, who opened tonight



Enjoy !