Seth Pfannenschmidt and Co. at the Mean Bean in Worthington, OH

A week late and a dollar short, ain't that always the story? Anyway, last Thursday I ventured out into the single-digit weather to check out my good buddy Seth and several of his friends as they played out at the Mean Bean Cafe in Worthington. Before I go any further, I have to air my distaste for the venue itself. Before Mean Bean was there, probably the best coffee shop in Columbus was nestled on the Main Street in Worthington, Scottie MacBean. I used to go to that place just about every other day to write, a cinnamon scone and a bottomless cup of coffee my only companions. I would sit in one of the rumpled armchairs and glance at the passersby, my vision partially blocked by the empty magnum bottle perched in the window. I always meant to go there in the evening and get an authentic Irish Coffee (they actually had a liquor license, and were more than happy to spike your joe). I never did manage to try the alcoholic drinks, and when I went there with Emily a few months ago, I was absolutely horrified when I saw that the place had changed hands. It was incredibly jarring at first, especially considering that they hadn't really changed much, just put up new drinks and laid down a different welcome mat. The chairs were there, but the shelves of coffee were gone. The walls were still the same color, but there was no local artwork scattered throughout. There was a barrenness and an alien feel to the place, and it made me so uncomfortable we left and went to the Starbucks down the street.
I hadn't been back to the Mean Bean since that disconcerting day with Emily, but a chance to hear Seth and his friends live was enough to get me to overcome the distaste I have for the shop. Now the walls are teal and there's no booze, there was absolutely terrible art on the walls and the bathroom reminds me of a hospital, but the music that night was incredible.

When Seth started his set right around 8:30PM, he was joined by his friend Brad on guitar, who had just learned the songs the week before. Even though the heavy Dylan influence is obvious, Seth's southern-tinged folksiness was a lot less like Bob in a live setting. His voice was actually a lot better than what I had expected from his MySpace (and the tracks he sent my way), which I think shows how much he's grown as a musician in just the past year or so. The warmth and sincerity the two men were exuding was just the ticket on that cold Thursday night. As his set progressed, first into a fantastic version of "The Ballad of John Henry", and then into the expected Bob Dylan cover, I was constantly on guard, expecting him to dip into the exact nasal affectation that makes it absolutely impossible for me to listen to anything by Mr. Zimmerman, but luckily for me, he never did. He played several covers as well as his original stuff, and to be perfectly honest, it was difficult to tell them apart, which I think is a pretty strong testament to the quality of his songwriting. I personally think that's where Seth draws most of his Dylan inspiration: his writing. It's very clever, interesting, and clear, but is also often catchy, regardless of the subject matter (the devil, violent crime, whatever).

The friends that Seth brought along with him were great artists in their own right, at least one of which, Tristan Johnston, were collaborators. Tristan is an amazing guitarist, but it was clear that Seth and the other act, Cameron Sharp, had far more character. Tristan's technical skill is something I have not seen in a long time, especially in such close quarters, but I was left wanting more to a certain extent after hearing the uniquely weird stylings of Cameron Sharp. When I first heard Sharp's Daniel Johnston-style vocals I was on edge, but not all the way gone. He had the sort of idiosyncractic voice that you literally either love or hate, sort of like Jeff Magnum or Devendra Banhart (or, I guess, Bob Dylan). But by the end of his set, I was certainly a convert. The song, "Alone in a Crowded Room" (or something like that), was easily the best song of the night, with his plaintive wail warbling above the twinge-ing guitar.

With that kind of range, the twang-y folk of Seth, the technical acumen and ability of Tristan Johnston, and the peculiar brand of freak folk from Cameron Sharp, my Thursday night was pretty much made. I was ready to call it a week and just lock myself away with my memories of the show (and these awesome live tracks I managed to get thanks to Emily's camera), but rather, I'll just have to content myself with waiting patiently until I can catch any of these fine musicians live once again. I know Seth is playing the Lost Weekend Records Hootenanny on February 24th, which I'll try to keep you all updated about. Kyle, the purveyor of vinyl at Lost Weekend, is a great guy, and I hear his shindigs are pretty fucking rad, so keep your eyes and ears here at ThaBombShelter.

"The Ballad of John Henry" Seth Pfannenschmidt
"Infidel Fish pg 166" Seth Pfannenschmidt
"Alone in a Crowded Room" Cameron Sharp

Seth Pfannenschmidt on MySpace