The Reality Return to Form at Dunedin Brewery: January 27
Calling The Reality’s return to the stage Saturday, January 27, a triumph is a deep understatement. After a long hiatus, their show last Dunedin Brewery was a joyous party with the dance floor filled with well-wishers and fans; they had rounded up twice the usual suspects! The band features Dan Jones, guitar, trombone, and vocals; Caleb Bone, bass and vocals; Brian BA Jones, drums and vocals; and recent addition Juanjamon, keyboards, synths, tenor saxophone, and vocals.
This was Juanjamon’s first gig with the band; he was concerned that things weren’t perfect. He is a master musician, known all around for his work with CopE, The Juanjamon Band, Space Krate, and other projects. We didn’t notice any of the items he was worried about. He fits in very well, and his saxophone and vocals are great additions to the band’s soundscape.
Their setlist was tight; there was only one break in the first set as Dan acknowledged the crowd and told us how glad he and they were to be back at it. Dan handled vocals on the set opener, “Too Damn Bad,” with Juanjamon’s tenor sax already giving the band a new dimension. That rolled into “Sweet Tooth,” with Dan grabbing trombone, then Juanjamon on tenor and then all over synths. Caleb Bone remains the best male singer in the area, here on backing vocals and then lead on “Wanna See You Dance.”
They paused briefly for Dan to acknowledge the crowd and thank everyone involved. They cranked up Edgar Winter’s “Frankenstein,” incredibly hot. Bone again stood out on vocals for “Really Don’t Care,” followed by a deep, deep jam. It was joyous through “Fat Fanny Pack” and “Christina.” Set break.
A long version of “Where is Lucy” opened the second set, and an amazing “All My Time” spilled out next, Juanjamon’s tenor upping the ante. BA Jones was in brilliant form all set at kit, propelling every track along with Bone’s bass. Throughout the set, “Pineapple Salsa” snippets and teases popped up, and there was a monster “Alcohol,” very country Dead-like. They allowed to roll into two great Gorillaz songs: “Feel Good Inc.” and “Clint Eastwood.” That was magic.
As the set continued, “Play with Me” went deeply reggae, “She’s Too High” soared, and then BA had an extended drum intro into the closing song “Dancin’ in D.” WHAT A FABULOUS NIGHT! What a great return to action!
Thanks as always to Funk Eye Media for the tremendous photos!
[ONE: Too Damn Bad > Sweet Tooth > c# walk jam > Wanna See You Dance, Frankenstein > Really Don’t Care > C jam > Fat Fanny Pack > Little diddy tease > Christina; TWO: Where is Lucy > All My Time > Pineapple Salsa > Alcohol > Feel Good Inc. > Clint Eastwood > Pina riff on E > Play with Me (extended reggae solo), She’s Too High > Pina riff on D > Dancin’ in D]
