Noli Me Tangere

buddy and the amazingly resourceful boy drummer

This was three weeks ago now, but I need to go on record as saying the Paste RockNReel festival was a stupdendous idea. Why it wasn't better attended is beyond me, but I hope the fine folks over at Paste put together another one.

For me, the highlight was easily Buddy Miller's set. I've been a fan of his after hearing him duet with wife Julie on All My Tears. Being a (semi-ignorant) guitarist myself, there's a remarkable beautiful and utilitarian simplicity in his guitar work that's I've come to appreciate. He's no Satriani, but thank God for that.

His set was potent but intimate; there was only Phil Madeira (who has seemingly had a hand in every good album in the past 25 years) on accordian and Steve Hindalong (of The Choir) on drums. Hindalong put on quite a show. Not only does he look to be about 12 years old, but he plays drums with unmistakable delight, like a boy with his first drumset. Each time he struck the skin, his face would break out in this look of genuine surprise, as if he couldn't believe the sounds he could make.

Thanks to a certain Jane, I was able to get some video. And thanks to a certain Google Video, I can now attempt to share with you all. It's poor quality, but it's Buddy covering Mark Heard, at close range, with the boy wonder on drums. It doesn't get any better than that.

Hindalong played a makeshift collection of floor-set drums, so there were no cymbals. But watch carefully what he does to compensate. You'll get a kick out of it.