I Just Read About That…

[ATTENDED: December 12, 2019] Mike “Slo-Mo” Brenner

I was pretty excited to go to the fifth Strand of Oaks Winter Classic (this is my third).  I chose the first night of the series because I was going out on Saturday as well. The other two shows had opening acts announced, but there was none announced for my night.

When I arrived, my friend was there up front (of course) and I managed to get up next to her.  She told me that the opening act was going to be Mike “Slo-Mo” Brenner.  It was apparently decided just before the show started.

Well, Mike “Slo-Mo” Brenner was accompanying Tim Showalter for these shows (it was just the two of them during the Strand of Oaks set).  So, I guess it was decided last minute to let Slo-Mo do a twenty minute improv before the main show.

And that’s what he did.  Tim came out and introduced him.  I had never heard of Slo-Mo, but I am certain I have heard him because he has has recorded tracks on over 100 records, including (I’d find out later) the Songs: Ohia album The Magnolia Electric Co.

Slo-Mo sat down with his lap steel and his pedal board and began playing some interesting slide sounds.

Eventually it turned into a fingerpicking section and I loved watching how he did this–picking different strings with his thumb and fingers and using the metal slide and his fingers to push down on the fretboard.

After a few minutes, he got a mischievous grin and that melody turned into “Hava Nagila” which frankly, should have elicited more of a reaction or at least a few claps.  I think the audience was getting a little restless by the end, but 20 minutes was a perfect amount of time for him to show us what he could do.

I have never seen a lap steel player up close before and it was really fun watching him.

I took a few pictures but they all pretty much look the same (and in that terrible, terrible lighting they all look purple).