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Xavier Rudd
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Dancin' In The District
Nashville, TN
7/28/2005
By: Lindsey M. Keen
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Xavier Rudd, a 27-year-old surfer singer-songwriter, gazes
at the Nashville crowd and begins to play the classic Bob
Marley hit "No Woman No Cry." The eclectic crowd of hippies
and tourists all find a perfect rhythm to Rudd's danceable
music. His soft voice and sandy blond hair perfectly match
his earthy, beach bum vibe. Rudd's music can be described
in many ways, but mostly reggae blended with rock with a
splash of island sound, twisted into folk with a hint of tribal
undertones. Sound interesting?
Rudd is the epitome of a one-man show. Sure, there are
artist out there like Keller Williams, who claim to be a one
man act, but Rudd steers far beyond the simple 4-track and
plays many different instruments at once: three didgeridoos,
a 12-string acoustic guitar and a Djembe drum made of 70%
recyclable material that is animal free. The didgeridoo has
unique sized bells that tap into a small mouthpiece,
combined with Rudd's circular breathing, he can manage to
push out a killer echo of reverberation.
On this steamy summer evening, Rudd played "Partnership,"
"Silence," "In Transit" and his major radio push "Let Me Be,"
all from his recent release Solace. Not to sound
like a push-over who is controlled by top 40 radio airplay,
"Let Me Be," definitely struck a chord with the Dancin' In The
District crowd. It's a down-to-earth, simple and practical
song that expresses how time and time again you'll witness
acts against humanity and when you walk away be free to
see, feel and touch human race with compassion and truth.
Sounds like this surfer smoked some killer waves, at the
very least.
Rudd continued to impress the crowd when he played a
heavy didgeridoo, drum and 12-string guitar jam during his
final song "State of Mind." Due to the intense lineup for the
evening show, featuring Karl Denson's Tiny Universe and
Sound Tribe Sector 9, Rudd had to leave the stage with out
an encore, despite the crowd's wishes.
This was the second time this summer that Rudd has graced
the Nashville area with his sense of idealism, honesty,
tranquility and peace. Many moons will pass by before
Nashville sees Rudd again, but with all hopes he'll visit a city
near you.
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