March 8th, 2008 Connecticut Yankee show review
By Sarah Firth

Let the rumors be confirmed… the Tide is definitely rising! After nearly a year and a half hiatus, Ten Mile Tide returned to their native California in full force. Their homecoming tour took them from Sacramento, the Poster Room at the Fillmore, (to triple the bill with Tea Leaf Green and Blue Turtle Seduction), San Diego, Los Osos, and finished out at their home town favorite- the Connecticut Yankee in San Francisco Saturday, March 8th, 2008; where the energy seeped from the stage to the floorboards, through the packed house and out onto the streets. 

Montana Slim, a fresh newgrass string band from San Francisco (with female fiddle player- wink wink), got things started at the Yankee to an already standing-room-only crowd. With a wide array of influences including Ramblin’ Jack, Del McCoury Band, Ryan Adams, and jam scene favorite Railroad Earth, Montana Slims’ pickin’ get feet stomping – and at the Yankee, beers spilling.

This reuniting/tour ending show had the theme of ‘high school’, and with true Tide charisma, the majority of those in attendance (including the 15 or so who followed the entire tour) indulged with get-ups ranging from the raver to the innocent yet devilishly young tennis player, to the knighted chicken mascot; but the Tide was not be beat at their own game. Taking to the stage as a dirty janitor, a sketchy track coach, Goth guy, Prof. Stoner, the star athlete and an old-and-in-the-way scholar, Ten Mile Tide schooled the scene. 

Keeping theme, Ten Mile Tide revisited their first two albums with songs they haven’t played live in what seems like decades, but unless you’re a ‘super fan’ you’d never have guessed. Knuckles’ vocals on “The Other Girl” were well rehearsed and the instrumental solos and band introductions in the old favorite “Roll the Top Down” have only improved. The band also readmitted the sinfully delighting “Bad Girls breakdown”, which brings to light an embarrassing detail or motive of one or more unsuspecting persons in attendance, typically female. Fans were also treated to a few new songs. “You and Me Gonna get Drunk Tonight” will undoubtedly introduce additional yeager into the band’s bloodstream and has the potential of creating even more extravagant Bad Girl breakdowns. A cover of Strangefolk’s “Sometimes” displayed the Tide’s fine tuning since their hiatus, and Jason Munning’s vocal talents. Ten Mile Tide’s folk rock lyrics and story telling knack is highlighted on newbies “Train Rolls”, my personal favorite, and “Heart Beat of San Francisco”; which closed the second set and sent the crowd into frenzy and had Yankee owner, Fritz, throwing his hands up in participation. Matt Mitchell again joins the band on the keys, and expands the structural detail. With acoustic guitar player and lead vocals, Justin Munning exceeding as front man; his twin brother and wing man Jason Munning on electric guitar, Jeff Clemetson on bass, Knuckles in the corner and Steve Kessler on Fiddle, Ten Mile Tide is back.

If the Connecticut Yankee was any reference, it’s High Tide. They’re returning to their beloved producer Jack Gauthier (Dispatch, David Grisman) in May to record their fourth album due out in fall 2008, and will be testing the new material through out the coming months at shows and festivals nationwide. Visit tenmiletide.com for tour dates and information.