AN IMPRESSIVE mix of musicianship cemented the collaboration of Calexico and Iron & Wine onstage at Warwick Arts Centre.
Having long been a fan of Sam Beam – known by his moniker – Iron & Wine, I was looking forward to seeing his second album with Tucson-based band Calexico performed live – and was not disappointed.
While the two could not be further apart in style they play together seamlessly to put on a show ranging in genres from Latin jazz to folk.
Accordion solos, a ten minute double bass solo and the impressive skills of trumpet player Jacob Valenzuela were among the highlights of the set, which was accompanied by an incredible light show.
Sam Beam and Calexico frontman Joey Burns took it in turns to sing one another’s songs, a nice touch for those who knew and had already seen their performances. And a stripped back set when the rest of the band left the stage showed why the pair work so well together regardless of their differing styles.
Songs off the new album were performed alongside a mix of older hits, along with a version of The Everly Brothers ‘All I Have to Do Is Dream’, where they were joined by Lisa O’Neill who has supported the band on all tour dates.
Calexico and Iron & Wine have two more dates to play in the UK, with London and Brighton on Saturday and Sunday (November 23 and 24). If you have not already got a ticket, you should.