March 8, 2024
Timeless classics with a twist
A rainy Friday night was upon us as we headed out to The Pub downtown. This was our first time visiting the Irish-themed bar and I was struck by the atmosphere upon entering. I like darker places due to being photosensitive, and I feel the setting was perfect to hear Rhett & John play for the first time as the rain unwaveringly cascaded down outside. Plus, the food and service was excellent.
In my opinion, when it comes to cover bands, the more fun the arrangements are, the better. Rhett & John did not disappoint. According to Rhett DeCouer, the duo is “an acoustic oldies station” covering a wide variety of songs with fun and original arrangements. John Richard Paul, the other half of the band, is a stellar guitar player whose upbeat strumming often changes the tempo of beloved classics without detracting from the feel of the originals. This truly enhances the timeless tunes. They're transformed by the duo’s peppy energy.
Rhett & John are in their sixth season of playing together, and have done over 500 shows. You can really feel that they love performing, and their vocal harmonizing is superb. DeCouer’s singing is smooth and she has an impressive range, bringing down the house with higher pitched Motown hits, nailing the deeper tone of rock ballads, and expertly matching melodic pop resonance. Paul’s backing vocals meld with her leads in a magical way.
Stevie Wonder’s “For Once in My Life”, and America’s “Sister Golden Hair” showcased the duo’s eclectic flavor. James Taylor’s “Fire and Rain” and Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams” kept the rainy night vibe alive. Back to back film soundtrack favorites of mine – “Ooh La La” by Faces followed by Stealers Wheel’s “Stuck in the Middle With You” (from ‘Rushmore’ and ‘Reservoir Dogs’ respectively) – were a nice treat. Other jams included “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman”, “My Girl”, and “Tracks of My Tears”. These two really do cover it all!
I was transported back to my childhood watching Rhett & John. In my reverie, I was sitting on my Grandma’s porch swing, listening to the oldies station, sipping coca cola, and absorbing random music trivia she shared with me. I watched the rain pelt the pavement through the window of The Pub and thought that every note Rhett sang and every chord John played captured the ambience of the whole place, and the whole night, perfectly.
Rhett DeCouer and John Paul are a joy to see play live. They’re also available for weddings and other private events. Check them out online at rhettandjohn.com
Jennifer Patino lives in Traverse City and loves music. Check out her blog at thistlethoughts.com