Sketchy weather kept the crowds down at this annual event. While there was a full slate of music ( caught a tune of regional bluegrass outfit Upstate Rubdown, and local faves Goodnight Blue Moon), we showed for the final two acts. Local pop rock outfit Alternate Routes aren't particularly folk, but have played together for a decade or so. Guitar (sometimes slide), lead vocals/guitar, drums, bass, and female harmony vocals made up the quintet. Original songwriting was good, but they needed a hook to move the crowd. The benefit of tenure showed in the band's tightness, but in today's crowded market, a band needs something to make them stand out. Alternate Routes are in search of that something.
Martin Sexton, from Syracuse, played most of the Gathering of The Vibes festivals. This means I saw him annually (at least) for 15 years or so. A true one man band, Marty plays guitar, usually playing lead and bass lines simultaneously. Layered on the deft guitar work are the vocals, which have a huge range, from low to falsetto. Add percussive tapping, scatting, and clever use of microphone fade and placement and there might as well be 5 people on stage. I was curious to see how the falsetto fared over the years and was happily surprised at its strength. Martin's body of work hasn't grown much recently, but early ought chestnuts like Black Sheep, Wonderbar, and Glorybound haven't lost their luster. At one point, Martin said that " rock and roll is like a river, you put something in, and you take something out". He launched into his tune while teasing U2's With or Without You, then Cheap Trick's Surrender, then the Beatles Let It Be. Closed the set with Turn On your Lovelight ( for the hippies) that segued into This Little Light of Mine, complete with audience members adding to the fray. Encore was a beautiful gospel inflected version of Billy Preston's "Will It Go Round in Circles".
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