It’s a rare occurrence when a band sounds better live than recorded, and when the opening act is better than the headliner. I was delighted that both were the case with Richard Swift. Swift, a solo vocalist/pianist, was original, authentic, and just all around awesome. He’s a big guy with a curly brown mop for hair, who seated behind the keys reminded me of Elton John meets Ben Folds. More dancey than Ben Folds and less costumes than Elton John. There was no pretense or airs with Swift, just what you see is what you get, and what we got was great.  

Swift and his three-piece band are signed with the label Secretly Canadian, and have been recording since 2001. In 2007 Swift spent time with Jeff Tweedy & Wilco on their tour for “Sky Blue Sky,” and was also invited to record with them. Wilco influences can be seen in such songs as “Ballad of Old What’s His Name.” There is a profound yet full simplicity to such bands as Wilco & Richard Swift. It seems rudimentary on the surface, but is very multi-faceted upon closer evaluation. However, where Wilco is folk, Swift is funk. His music has a very fun approach, and makes you want to get up and dance. There’s a lot of clapping to the beat, some vocal distortion effects, a banjo, horns, etc. However, even when it was just him & the piano for an enchanting ballad, it was still attention capturing. Richard Swift’s latest album, “Atlantic Ocean” was just released this year, and Swift ended the set with the title song, leaving us toe tapping and wishing for more.