He is the Blogger, he knows when and where to strike.

Wow.   So much to tell.  Went to see the boys of Carbon Leaf and their CD release party for their new album Indian Summer.  An old keyboardist was added to the lineup possibly for just this show as we was a Richmonder, but possibly for touring purposes also.  The Sixth Man as we will call him (real name Carlos, hung out with his biker buddies and son in the crowd) increased the size of the band by 20% and naturally increased the rocking out by the same proportion.  The guys hit the stage all sporting a pair of shades and some ridiculous headwear.  The set opened up hot and only slowed down as the sun slid away into night and some of the mellow tracks off the new album were set free into the night.  The crowd was 6,000 strong and were obviously hometown supporters of the city's biggest rock act.  This was fun to enjoy after having seen the Leaf play bars in Georgia/South Carolina to crowds of 100 newbies.  They still have the ability despite the more softer moves lately to bring any size crowd alive...jumping, dancing, singing and grooving was the congregation's response as Reverend Barry Privett led them in numerous sing-dance-clap alongs that have become Carbon Leaf staples: Mary Mac, Sloop John B, 7 Brides for 7 Sinners and a new interactive tune taken from the vast Zeppelin files Bron-Y-Aur Stomp, which was a dedication from Carter to his dad.  As usual, the man behind the mic, Barry, was talkative and borderline standup comedian between tunes...although he played musician  for the opening number This is My Song with the acoustic guitar.  Some excerpts of band pillow talk between jams included Barry "serving" Jordan, the bassist, and encouraging him to "serve" him back in order for it to be "on".  Jordan proved the bigger man and hid beneath his 10-gallon hat, accusing Barry of starting everything.  The insults did not stop there as Barry then turned his attention to his old friend and guitarist Terry Clark by dubbing him, quite appropriately, Fozzy the Bear, and accusing him of being the softest man in rock and roll.  In retaliation, during Barry's rant on why fans needed to buy the albums he dangled beneath their greedy noses, Terry grabbed several from the stack behind them and launched them into the crowd, although Barry complained of this being a liability...this is just more proof of how Carbon Leaf is a band built around the music and the fans.  As officials announced the official end of the evening's festivities, they violated protocol for the sake of Virginia's best live band (take THAT Dave Matthews) and allowed another 30 minutes of Carbon Leaf for a very appreciative crowd.  The night ended with band and fans pleased and hopefully with enough of a Leaf fill to last at least through the week.  This guy got to break a 7 month Leaf dryspell and spend the evening with a very lovely lady, so this could be cause for making the review that much more glowing.  However, Park Ranger duty and reality called me back that evening to my hometown but I left with a smile on my face and a song in my heart as only one's favorite band can do, and put a positive spin on life in general.  Everyone go purchase a copy of the new CD, if not to keep food on the band's table, just to give the author something to look forward to every year or so. 
 
It's a New Year's toast, grab your list to conspire
the last snake hissed as he was thrown on the fire
You've come far and though you're far from the end
You don't mind where you are, cause you know where You been
             -Let Your Troubles Roll By