There are bands for which I have a hard time coming up with enough new and different superlatives. Lets see, amazing, yes, check. Outstanding, got that one too. Fantastic, yes I have used that one as well. Sometimes I feel there is little more for me to say. Left Wing Bourbon is definitely one of those bands. They are a funky blues band revolving around the powerhouse vocals of Faith Ulwelling. In my opinion, vocally they are the best band in the Chippewa Valley, and instrumentally, they are not too far behind.

It was the second time I have seen Left Wing Bourbon, both times at the Mousetrap. The crowd was up and down. The first set the place was hoppin! Then it emptied out until half way into the third set it got a sudden rush and was packed again until close.

Jason Keisler with Left Wing Bourbon on stage at the Mousetrap May 2010

Describing Faith's amazing singing voice is tough. Everyone's ears are different. I guess I liken her voice most to Aretha Franklin, back when she was in her prime, before she wore presidential bows on her head. They both have that soulful ability to slide their voices up and down the scale arriving at precisely the correct pitch. The just amazingly cool thing though is, I can only see Aretha on the TV, where Left Wing Bourbon can be six feet in front of me. That's what I think is great!

Returning to the band, after being gone for a bit was keyboard player, Tim Caswell. The last time I saw Tim was last fall. He was on lead guitar, at the Snout Saloon with the Love Buzzards. Where I was impressed by his vocals. Keyboards add very little to Left Wing Bourbon. The effect is quite subtle. Even during the solos. Part of it is Tim does not have a heavy hand at the keys, but instead a light touch. He is certainly no Willie Chopper, who dominates any band he is involved in. Where Tim really adds to the Left Wing Bourbon sound is vocals. When Faith needs to take a break, he is there to fill in with some rough and raunchy blues sounds. He balances nicely with Keisler's voice, who also sings during the Faith breaks. Jason sings a much smoother song than Tim. It's a good mix, and I was glad he was there.

Briefly there was a un-named harmonica player on stage which I caught on tape. I enjoyed that addition. The harmonica is a brash enough intrument to hold its own against Faith's vocals. It was an enjoyable time, and I am glad the band brought him up on stage.

 

	Left Wing Bourbon perform with the nameless harmonica player
	Left Wing Bourbon and Bit by Bit
	An amazing Proud Mary by Left Wing Bourbon

 

It isn't all perfectly smooth sailing. There were a couple of points where Jason Keisler got a little tangled up in a solo. It sort of left the rest of the band looking around like "Uh, how are we gonna get outta this one?" but it was only a couple of times. If not for the fact that I have now immortalized it forever, it would be forgotten moments later. All in all I thought they sounded quite smooth.

Faith Ulwelling lead singer with Left Wing Bourbon.

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