Kevin O’Donnell’s Epiphany Spectacular @ Martyr’s 8 January 2009

Kevin O’Donnell is most commonly referred to as one of Andrew Bird’s cache of drummers. I’ve seen him perform a few times with the Birdman, but wasn’t aware that he was an accomplished musician in other areas until last year when I was interning at a theater and noticed that Kevin was the composer of the music for the House Theater’s hit production of The Sparrow. But I didn’t think much more about it. Then a few days ago my friend Evan Bivins messaged me to say that he was part of a cadre of local musicians who would be performing with Kevin O’Donnell at his Ephiphany Spectacular – a last hurrah for the holiday season.

True to form, the many folks I invited didn’t show, but my parents did, and we met up with our friends Vivian and Matt at Martyr’s around 8pm. I felt a little funny because as I glanced around I didn’t recognize anyone beside my immediate company. I’m not in Cumberland’s anymore. Ooh, but then Mr. Andrew Bird himself sauntered by. (New album out January 20th!) I squeed at my mother, “That’s ANDREW BIRD! My night is officially made!”‘

Kevin announced there would be three parts to the evening – the first part would be selections from The Sparrow, the second would include a few guest appearances and some music from other House shows, and the third and final part would be none of his original music, more guests, and plenty of awesome. Kevin also made it clear that in the second part, “there will be snacks.”

Every piece of music was, well, spectacular. Evan joined Kevin and another local drummer on stage for most of show – so there were, in fact, three drummers usually playing. It was amazing. And Kevin is an inspirational drummer. That man was all over his kit, hitting rims and heads and jumping out of his seat. Since this was the first time I’d heard practically all the music I unfortunately don’t remember titles nor do I recall most of the guest performers’ names, but WOW was I impressed. Andrew did indeed get up to play a number during the second set, and like a gentleman he didn’t give the full Bird because it was Kevin’s show. But my parents understood when I said they would be floored when they heard him. Even lo-fi, minus the looping pedal and whistling, he leaves a lasting impression. Members of the cast (?) of House Theater came en masse on stage to sing some numbers, which reminded me greatly of a Chord & Pedal show in Charleston where it’s nearly a free-for-all. Lots of love, lots of love.

Two memorable pieces were in the third act, however. It opened with Evan playing guitar and one of the ladies getting up to sing his Cabaret Kiki number “Second Hand Life.” I could sing along! It felt very odd hearing it without the backing of the Dangerous Strangers and the back-up vocals of the Kiki dancers, but it was still awesome because it was getting it’s Chicago debut!! (BTW, a video of the Kiki star Caramella Guillotine singing the song can be found here.) And then Kevin and Kasey Foster (I had to remember her name) did a duet of “A Sweet Old-Fashioned Girl” – she sang acapella while he played drummers. Phenomenal. That’s all I can say. The woman blasts your socks off. She sang it in a 1950’s jazz club sexy growl that I couldn’t believe. So awesome! I wish there was a recording of it to share.

And to end the Night of Awesome, Andrew Bird rejoined the stage and the whole band erupted in two old-timey jazz jam sessions… *sigh* Just… wow. Andrew on fiddle, Kevin and his drumming buddies on some fluttering heart drum solos, and even an excellent sax man named Josh Bell who was just too cool. It was an amazing event for all concerned, my parents thoroughly enjoyed themselves, and the rest of the shows of the year have big shoes to fill. I just wish there was a recording to relive it!