Two chill guitarists blew the brisk atmosphere in Troy right out the doors of Revolution Hall last Saturday. Opening for Tim Reynolds was Ryan Montbleau, a young, vibrant guitarist from Boston whose style can be described as John Mayer jazzed by passion.
Montbleau’s jazzy guitar style is complemented by the incorporation of poetry into his lyrics. The result is a soothing melody of wonder. For more information, check out Montbleau’s website at http://www.ryanmontbleau.com/ and download some of his music.
Montbleau was very personable with the crowd in between songs. Briefly interacting with the crowd, he asked how things were and commented on how the last time he played at Revolution Hall the crowd was one tenth the size.
Montbleau’s set was a great segue into Reynolds. The two different artists each offered a different style that complemented one another. Montbleau’s jazz/funk guitar transitioned well into the entrancing style of Reynolds.
Montbleau made up for what Reynolds lacked in lyrics. Montbleau’s lyrics reeked with emotion telling true to life stories bringing you to his level. In contrast, Reynolds—also a singer/songwriter—lacked the “songwriting.” Despite the lack of words in his songs, Reynolds still threw a knockout punch Saturday night by using his guitar strings like they were his vocal chords. His reputation as one of the most innovative guitarists in the 21st century was upheld. He brought new life to the instrument through the marriage of spectacular pedal effects and mesmerizing chords.
From the beginning the crowd was immediately thrown into a trance by Reynolds and his hypnotic swirl of melodies. It is a shame that there weren’t more than the hundred people there to enjoy the beauty of his work.
The atmosphere inside Revolution Hall was very calming. The acoustics inside are some of the best in the region. The stage is very low off the floor, which lets you get close and personal with the artists performing. The balcony is also a great place to hang out and watch the performances while imbibing your favorite local brew. Revolution Hall has a number of shows throughout the year, and a lineup can be found at http://www.revolutionhall.com/. With cheap tickets, walking distance location, and a great collection of known and unknown artists on its lineup, Revolution Hall is sure to become a favorite among RPI students.
If Montbleau or Reynolds are scheduled to make a stop near you, be sure to check it out. You won’t be disappointed.
