TRAIN COMPANY at HOUSE OF BLUES

Train Company was the first act of three, behind 28 North and Blues Traveler, this past Thursday night at Chicago’s House Of Blues. Many artists might not like it when they are the ones chosen to be the first band on the bill – not Train Company. As their lead signer John Zozzaro explained, they “sincerely appreciate the opportunity (and task), of setting the mood for the night, of lifting the tone.”

Well, mission accomplished, set the mood they did. Train Company played a brand of rock that is highly influenced by the blues and jazz. That is a vague description at best, and is one that could be applied to many bands. Yet Train Company’s uniqueness lies in how they amalgamate these genres into their style of rock in such a seamless manner.

Train Company is comprised of 5 Chicagoans, containing one keyboardist and one saxophonist. The additions of these instruments allows them the ability to have the aforesaid blues and jazz undertones present in their music (more times blues than jazz, they are from Chicago), without ever overtly stepping into blues or jazz. On stage it was apparent that as a band, they can really ‘walk together in step’. They are emotionally in sync, all the subtle ebbs and flows are executed in synchronization. This can be accomplished through relentless practicing, sure, but their musical-emotion-congruity came off as a natural occurrence - a product of the musicians really enjoying their music and playing with each other.

On this night it was the songs Leaving and Change in which one could really hear them at their best. Leaving had a fantastic sauntering bass line that was placed within what is a highly energetic blues-rock song; it created for a song with a rock n’ roll drive –yet with a bluesy philosophy. It was also deceptively dynamic as towards the end it even took on a slight jam band groove. Change had more of a funky, slightly R & B flavor to its blues-rock base. There were ear-catching harmonies and a classy, well-executed crescendo.

For this author though, their talent shone through best on their song, Conquistador, which is a smooth and subdued blues number with great sax highlights. And while the rhythm was simple and all 5 musicians were playing, it still held onto a pleasant minimalist sound. And then near the end as the energy picked up momentarily a Hendrix blues riff was discreetly brought into the song, played with briefly, and let go before most people could notice it. It felt like a short-lived inside joke that only the most thorough of rock fans in the audience perceived, and undoubtedly enjoyed.

In their own words Train Company’s philosophy is to play a “new kind of old,” they “like to play the same story, but told a different way.” But there in lies the art of skillfully playing blues-rock; it’s not about being revolutionary, it’s about infusing your unique emotions, outlook or story into established musical frameworks. This is what Train Company understands, and in doing so they definitely set the right mood for the evening, just as they wanted to. 

By Sean Brna