Gregory Alan Isakov
Showbox, Seattle, WA
08.06.16
Against a stage set with many globes lit from within, the realization occurred that Gregory Alan Isakov‘s sweeping folk rock, combined with a group of world class symphony musicians would be an excellent soundtrack for an epic journey.
The crowd was spirited, and surprisingly raucous, for such a low-key performer like Isakov. “Stable Song,” “Trapeze Swinger,” “Amsterdam,” so many requests came from the crowd and Isakov was obliged to honor those requests. At the beginning of “Stable Song,” he stepped to the front of the stage for the first time of the evening to play an extended introduction with Steve Varney, his guitarist/banjo player. The room went quiet and then went into singalong mode.
For an artist who writes seemingly melancholy songs, Isakov does have a subtle charm and sense of humor. “This is a love song with some curse words,” he playfully explained to the crowd before he and his band crowded around a vintage microphone to play “St. Valentine.” It was a campfire moment in a crowded room.
The most unique moment of the night was when he requested to have all of the stage lights turned down and he began the haunting “The Universe.” “This song deserves to be played with the lights off,” Isakov explained to The Showbox. All the crowd could hear was Isakov sing into his second mic that sounded like an old timey radio broadcast being sent into the universe. Ethereal to say the least; beautiful to be more accurate.
Isakov had the look and way about him of a journeyman storyteller. “If it weren’t for second chances then we’d all be alone.” Travelling the world, sharing this type of advice like a modern-day bard, what does he listen to as he embarks on his own epic journeys?
Check out our pre show chat with Gregory Alan Isakov here.
Review and photos by Phillip Johnson
Gregory Alan Isakov 
