Web: samthemusicman.com
Players: Sam Edelston, dulcimer, vocals
When you think of the dulcimer, you most likely think of it in conjunction with other instruments. Similar to the guitar but with only three or four strings as opposed to six, it’s easier to manipulate since a person has five fingers. Though often used in folk and Celtic music and occasionally in pop, it can function perfectly well on its own, as Sam Edelston demonstrated in his recent three-set performance.
Surrounded by several different dulcimers, Edelston dove full force into his repertoire, switching out different ones depending on the song. He covered the gamut from songs like “Time After Time,” “City of New Orleans,” “Me and Julio Down by the School Yard,” David Bowie’s “Space Oddity,” and plenty of Beatles. He adapted many of the songs to flow as naturally with the instrument as possible while maintaining the songs’ integrity. Some were more challenging to replicate than others, since we are used to hearing them with a full band.
Paddy Reilly’s is a bar that offers an interesting lineup of music; however, it is still a bar setting and people often continue talking during a performance. Passing out brochures of his repertoire, Edelston wisely solicited patrons to submit requests, a good way to pull listeners into the fold. He fulfilled as many as he could manage, which resulted in a somewhat uneven set, depending on how recently he performed a particular song or how the request fit into the mood of the venue. Overall, it was a good way to keep the spotlight where it belonged.
By introducing an instrument that people aren’t as familiar with, Edelston created not only a unique listening experience, but an educational one as well. He engineered a situation that drew people in instead of letting the situation dictate the outcome.
