Photo by Amie Johnson -- The Dimestore Troubadours play Breezy´s on Ryan Street

Dimestore music makes for a fine evening

By: Amie Johnson

Posted: 2/2/05

Traversing a drab, chilly landscape, the Dimestore Troubadours landed at Breezy's Downtown Saturday evening, bringing with them a lonesome, bleak twang perfectly complimenting the final dark days of winter. Numerous unusual instruments spanned the small platform stage including a saxophone, lapsteel guitar, mandolin and an accordion.

Dressed in their funeral-best dark suits with ties, the five members commanded attention even as sound-checks were being processed. The lackadaisical blend of traditionally country, jazz and blues instruments, paired with lead vocalist Joseph Kees distinctively Tom Waits-influenced voice proved to be pure countrypolitan.

Their throbbing twang and vaudeville waltzes are the perfect soundtrack for a quiet evening drinking yourself into an all-american oblivion.

Hailing from the New Orleans and Baton Rouge areas, the 6 piece (upright bass player Beau Bogart was conspicuously missing due to hernia surgery...ouch) has yet to release an album. Worry not, avant-americana fans, the Troubadours have one in the works.