On February 28th, Putnam Place in Saratoga Springs, NY, along with Guthrie Bell Productions hosted an unforgettable night of music featuring The Blind Owl Band with special guest Bella’s Bartok.
The Blind Owl Band made their highly anticipated return to the stage after a long hiatus with their signature “Adirondack Freight Train String Music,” a term that perfectly describes their relentless energy and raw power. The quartet, comprised of Eric Munley on mandolin, Arthur Buezo on guitar and vocals, Christian Cardiello on bass, and James Ford on banjo and vocals, delivered a performance that left the audience in a puddle. Their set was a non-stop barrage of high-energy tunes, with no signs of letting up throughout the night.
This was my first time seeing Blind Owl perform live and I was floored by their talent, energy, and fun spirit. They even busted out some new choreography that we are all going to need to see again and again. A standout moment of the night for me was the “Miss Ol Mary > High Test > Miss Ol Mary,” which had everyone shaking their bones! The encore was truly something spectacular though, when Lowell Wurster from the band Lucid joined them on stage. The insanely talented percussionist treated the audience to an incredible experience when he engaged each player and their instrument in an intimate conversation with only his harmonica. The excitement from both the band and the audience was palpable, creating an unforgettable experience.
If you get a chance to check out The Blind Owl Band live, I highly recommend it. Their upcoming tour dates can be found here on their official website.
Bella’s Bartok opened the night with a visually and audibly stunning set of original songs. The band consists of Asher Putnam on lead vocals and acoustic guitar, Julia Posin on lead vocals and washboard, Chris Whearty on guitar, Zachary Effman on bass, and Kade Parkin on drums. This band is a beautiful fusion of creativity and authenticity, drawing the audience into a world of wonder and awe. Bella’s Bartok doesn’t just play their music; they perform it with immense emotion, making each song an immersive experience. Their commitment to authenticity in each performance is evident. If you get the chance to see them perform you don’t want to miss it.
The evening was a testament to the vibrant live music scene in the 518. We all need to thank Greg Bell and Guthrie Bell productions, and Putnam Place for bringing these amazing experiences together. You keep booking them and we’ll keep dancing!
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