Cleveland’s own Daddy Longleg’s Homegrown Revival celebrated the release of their first CD on Friday night at the Beachland Tavern. As I first entered the Tavern anticipating a night of great music and high energy, it felt pretty empty. The music had not started and the environment was that of an average bar on any given night of the week. That feel took a drastic change as soon as Daddy Longleg’s Homegrown Revival took to the stage—the venue instantly transformed into a celebration. It felt as if people had emerged from the woodwork as the driving beats and funky melodies descending from the stage filled the space with dancing bodies and intoxicating grooves.
The funky rhythms of Daddy Longleg’s Homegrown Revival drove the audience on a musical adventure that channeled their Mardi Gras beginnings. The low profile stage in the Beachland Tavern made it easy for the performers to not limit themselves to its confines, leaving the stage and entering the crowd they broke down the idea of their performance being a presentation and truly turned it into a party.
The colorful and theatrical presence of front man, Davidione Pearl, was echoed in the addition of a belly dancer for many of their songs. Local radio personalities Kent N’ Angelica joined the festivities, picking up percussion instruments and passing out beads.
And behind the theatrics the unique blend of worldly influences and genres spoke through the music, with hints of Middle Eastern melodies and Caribbean dance parties weaving through the funk and soul. Neil Chastain on drums, Lovest Watson on bass, Mike McNamara on guitar, and Davidione Pearl on sax seamlessly melded their instrumental talents into a vehicle that journeyed beautifully through the various sounds and styles of their set.
Daddy Longleg’s Homegrown Revival creates a performance far beyond that of just playing music—they channel theatrics and art through every moment of their time on stage. They infect the environment in which they perform with life, energy and spirit; leaving those in attendance with an imprint that keeps beating long after the instruments have stopped.