Xavier Rudd & Izintaba Heat Up Orgeon!

Thanks to WDS member "anne" for passing along this great review of a recent Xavier Rudd show she was lucky enough to attend!

Entering with waves and smiles to the seated crowd, multi-instrumentalist Xavier Rudd, bassist Tio Moloantoa and percussionist Andile Nqubezelo played a full set at McMenamins Edgefield outdoor amphitheatre in Troutdale, Oregon in front of the hot setting sun on Saturday August 14, 2010.

Rudd’s position on stage includes numerous yidakis (didgeridoo) to the front, as he sits barefoot at drums with mark tree chimes on the side, while concentrating on the guitar fingerings in his lap. These instruments are purely appendages to Rudd’s spirit and the emotive timbre of his carrying voice.

The trio opened with new material from Koonyum Sun, the collaborative album by Xavier Rudd & Izintaba. The next choice in the set was the illustrious Message Stick from Rudd’s 2007 White Moth album. This booming tune ultimately motivated the audience up on their dancing feet. Rudd seemed pleased with the activity, and greets the crowd saying, “We come with no story…only heavy, heavy spirits,” referring to the presence of unity created by Moloantoa and Nqubezelo.

Xavier Rudd & Izintaba’s inspirational effect is apparent. One particular highlight was the evolution of Messages (Food in the Belly, 2007) into Guku (Dark Shades of Blue, 2008), creating a lengthy composition. The band set up a big sound, and a solidly primed atmosphere for tour headliners, Rodrigo y Gabriela, to follow.

Rudd’s heartening melodies and lyrics seem to truly promote peace and unity. And at the close of the performance, his heart was wide open as he ran to both ends of the stage in an uninhibited dance, his head lifted high in the sky. In times when spirits are low, Xavier Rudd & Izintaba can bring one back to Earth, keeping us grounded, in the here and now, under the Koonyum Sun.

Have you had the chance to catch Xavier? Planning on shows soon? Discuss it in our forums!