Big Old Life: Rani Arbo and Daisy Mayhem Visit the Valley

Spring is just around the corner.

I know, because Rani Arbo and Daisy Mayhem will be at the Valley Players for a Saturday night, April 5th performance.

And if you haven’t yet heard their newest CD “Big Old Life,” you’ll
feel spring blowing in on a warm musical wind by the time you leave
downtown Waitsfield this coming week-end.

For those of you who haven’t yet heard Rani Arbo and her foursome
(“Daisy Mayhem” doesn’t do justice to these rascals), you are in for a
real treat. While she cut her teeth with a Boston-based trio called
“Salamander Crossing” (back there in that last millennium), Rani has
come into her own with “Mayhem.” Her mature vocalizing and
straight-ahead fiddle work are a wonder to hear, especially on the
band’s third project together, released in time to celebrate 3
children, two marriages, four mortgages, 34 pounds gained, innumerable
miles on the road, and one round of breast cancer.

We’ll get to that.

Part of “Mayhem’s” brilliance lies in tune selection. As always, the
band blends a judicious mix of originals and cover numbers. As a CD,
“Big Old Life” wins the “best book-end” award. Kicking off the record
is one of my new favorite tunes called “Joy Comes Back.” Written by
Sean Staples, a staple of the Boston acoustic songwriting scene, the
song is an uplifting testament to joy itself, and the band’s five part
harmony and vocal “pass around” on the verses makes it more so. “When I
heard that song, I loved it,” explained Arbo. “A month later, I needed
it.” Being diagnosed with a potentially life-threatening illness, as
Rani has, is enough to sharpen anyone’s focus, pushing one to seek out
songs that can inspire. And hearing “Joy Comes Back” live from this
five-some is well worth the price of admission.

And, on the other end of the “book,” the band finishes the CD with the
hopeful “Shine On,” penned by an old woman named Daisy May Erlewine
whom the band met in their travels, and one of the most beautiful and
hopeful songs I can imagine for moving this weary world forward.

And let’s not forget “Big Old Life’s” other covers: Leonard Cohen’s
“Heart with No Companion”, the traditional “Oil In My Vessel” (with a
quick “shout out” to “Amazing Grace” nestled in the middle) and Bob
Dylan’s “Farewell Angelina.” My favorite, though, may be the band’s
interpretation of the old traditional “Red Haired Boy.” With Rani’s
rollicking fiddle work, it is a tune made for “Mayhem.”

And these musicians can write, too. Philosopher/guitarist Anand Nyak is
back with “What’s That,” a signature number by the band’s heady and
talented front man. Bassist Andrew Kinsey weighs in with “Mother of our
Dreams,” and Rani is responsible for no fewer than three of the
albums’s tunes, including the beautiful “Roses,” “Hole in Heaven,” and
the CDs’ title track.

But here’s the thing. “Big Old Life” is a tasty new recording. Seeing
“Daisy Mayhem” live, though, is a quintessentially fun experience for
folks of all ages. The band loves playing together, and it shows.
Drummer Scott Kessel plays the “Drumship Enterprise,” a percussion set
comprised of cookie tins, tin cans, and a vinyl suitcase. Bassist
Andrew Kinsey weighs in at half the size of his bass, but brings a
giant sense of playfulness and musical sensibility to the stage. And
Anand Nyak’s combination of musical and philosophical chops are a
treat. Holding them all together is Rani’s calm and commanding presence
– she radiates equal parts joy and serenity on the stage, and helps to
keep the boys in line.

I’ve seen “Mayhem” four times now, but I never tire of their shows. In
a world of electronic and often-soulless music, this is one band that
reminds us how fun live performance can be.

Don’t miss ‘em!