Tonight at 11th Street Bar, James Maddock delivered an intimate performance that felt more like a private session than a public show. The bar itself is as unassuming as its name and is easy to overlook if you didn’t know better. Tucked in the back is a space devoted to live music and there is no cover charge, no minimum, and generally, no cover bands. The stage is set for authenticity, and Maddock fully embodies that spirit.
Maddock was joined by Shawn Pelton, who added a whole other dimension to the performance. With a snare drum, a couple of accordions, a mandolin, and ankle-bound percussion, Pelton created a remarkably expansive soundscape. Close your eyes, and it was hard to believe it was just the two of them.
What really stood out was how much fun they were having. They laughed and played off each other all night, and that sense of joy carried into the room, dissolving any barrier between artist and audience. Maddock kept it going for nearly three hours straight—no breaks, just a constant stream of songs. Scattered throughout the audience were other top musicians, there simply to watch—something Maddock tends to attract. At one point, he hinted at a new song on the way. After a night like this, it’s hard not to look forward to what’s next.
Words and Photographs by Fredda Gordon.
