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NewFound Road rights a wrong

Plaza Theater, Miamisburg, OH, January 27, 2018

Reviewed by Devin Adams

For the first time in nearly five years NewFound Road got together. Tim Caudill, Jr. Williams, Rob Baker and Tim Shelton, all founding members, stepped on stage to a nearly packed house and thunderous applause. Joining the band for the evening was special guest and multi-instrumentalist, Justin Moses.

Out of the gate, NFR took off on "Try to Be" and then eventually slowed things down a few songs later with Jerry Lee Lewis' "Middle Aged Crazy," to which Shelton quipped that he "likes sad and depressing music." The song fit the description. A little gospel music was sprinkled in throughout the evening, including a banjo and mandolin duet from Baker and Williams on the standard "Working on a Building," a song the two had performed together for years, although Williams claimed to have no memory. Baker chalked it up to a "Juniorism" and launched into the song.

A blazing version of "Roving Gambler" soon followed as well as "Clinch Mountain Backstep." Moses traded out his instrument of choice early and often. Starting off playing Dobro, he was also seen picking guitar and sawing on the fiddle from time to time. In an expression of love for Glen Campbell's music, Shelton and company paid tribute to the late Campbell with "These Days" and the crowd pleasing "Houston," both beautifully done and would make Campbell proud.

"Handsome Molly" separated another tribute, this time to Tom T. Hall when the band did "A Picture of Your Mother" and "That's How I Got to Memphis." Those in attendance, especially one in particular, went wild at the first words to "Lonesome River" followed up with "I Am the Man, Thomas" and "Big Mon."

The surprise of the night came when the band was joined onstage by Shelton's oldest son, Reece, for a rocking medley of the Allmans' "Midnight Rider" and Marshall Tucker Band's "Can't You See" that saw young Shelton playing some seriously tasty licks on his left handed Strat. Needless to say, he drew thunderous applause.

The band could not yet finish without being called back for one last song, to which they obliged. "Little Maggie" kicked off and was set alight, burning the place down and bringing the band a standing ovation.

The night may not have been perfect, nor the songs flawless, but a forgotten word here and some microphone feedback there did not tarnish the magic or excitement of seeing this group of men reunite to make music together again. Five years is far too long to live without music from these incredible musicians, but that wrong was righted on this evening.



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