Syd Straw and the Golden Palominos Reunite at New York City Gig

Posted on May 8th 2010 11:00AM by DJ Lanphier
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The last time the Golden Palominos performed together was 23 years ago, and the nerves were palpable as the band quickly took the stage at Le Poisson Rouge in New York Friday night. The highlight of an evening of music sponsored by Electric Literature, the reunited group tore into their set with a ferociousness and unbridled joy that immediately reminded everyone in the room why this particular version of the Golden Palominos has been so loved and revered over the years. And the nerves melted away.

Founded by drummer Anton Fier in the early '80s, the original lineup was a formidable assemblage of some of the most respected musicians around. In additional to Fier it included Bill Laswell on bass, John Zorn on saxophone, and guitarists Fred Frith and Arto Lindsay -- all talented performers and producers in their own right.

Throughout the years, guest appearances on Palominos recordings have been a virtual who's who of contemporary talent including Michael Stipe, John Lydon, T-Bone Burnett, Matthew Sweet and Jack Bruce of '60s super group Cream. While the core lineup of the band has changed over the years, arguably the most known and the most popular was the one from 1985 to 1989 that featured singer Syd Straw. And it wasn't hard to see why on Friday night as she took the stage with Fier once again behind the drums, Tony Maimone on bass and Jim Campilongo and Jody Harris on guitar.

As Straw and band tore into old favorites like 'Diamonds,' 'To A Stranger' and 'I've Been the One,' it was abundantly clear that not only were the Golden Palominos one of the hardest rocking bands still jumping onto stage two decades after their initial foray into the biz, but also one of the most skilled. The Golden Palominos are a great band that plays as one, an impressive, synergistic unit. The joy they clearly feel while playing burns like a blowtorch, squarely centered around Syd Straw's powerful and emotional vocals.

As if seeing one of the great live bands of the '80s reunite wasn't enough, one-time member and Cleveland musical legend Robert Kidney joined the Golden Palominos on stage with blues harp in hand and proceeded to rip into a bone-rattling version of 'Lucky.' Kidney then strapped on a guitar and summarily peeled the paint off the walls with a killer version of 'Disaster.' The smiles on stage and in the audience told the story.

If you don't plan to play an encore you should leave the crowd wanting more, and the Golden Palominos did just that, ending with a dedicated, reach-for-the-sky version of Led Zeppelin's 'Ten Years Gone.' Visibly moved by the outpouring of love and applause from the audience, Syd Straw's face was consumed with a big smile. She stretched her arms out and said: "We're so grateful for everything. We really are. Thank you!"

And, as quickly as they had come, they were gone. But you can catch them at the Living Room on May 11.

Syd Straw on AOL Music
The Golden Palominos on AOL Music