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A sensual spirituality ruled the night

Parker Millsap
Club Congress
Tucson, AZ
November 5, 2018
Parker Millsap Parker Millsap Parker Millsap

Review and photos by Frances Sealy

Parker Millsap opened his show cranking through "Hands Up" with an effervescence that only got more exciting as the near two hour set ended. It was an intimate setting for the last night of his "Other Arrangements" tour. Millsap and the band were determined to go out with a bang.

Millsap has a slight resemblance to Elvis Presley and grew up in the Pentecostal church with gospel influences, but that is where the comparison ends. Millsap may not be able to escape those gospel influences or Oklahoma roots, but he can dish out good ole rock and roll. His guitar chops far out class Presley. Millsap's songwriting is stellar.

Millsap plays harmonica and banjo as well as guitar. Guitar and harmonica were his instruments for the night. The blues were also very much a part of his repertoire during the show.

He has charisma on stage, but his songwriting attracts a diverse, large group of fans to his shows. Even though his songs are not on any of the Billboard top twenty lists, many fans knew the words to Millsap's songs and were readily singing along. There was dancing in the back of the club and that was alright with Millsap.

Millsap's fourth and latest album, Other Arrangements, is a sharp and infectious set of songs that hits rock and roll head on. There are so many good moments on the record and the set contained all of the songs in the album. "She" and "Your Water" are love songs presented in a gospel vein. While "Coming On' has a more playful sexuality base.

Millsap frequently trades timely musical licks with fiddle player, Daniel Foulks. Foulks shares the front of the stage with Millsap and he puts a lot of swagger and skill into his fiddle. The classically trained violinist rivals Millsap when it comes to stage presence. Foulks also sang harmony on one of the songs.

Bassist Michael Rose is a friend from childhood while drummer Paddy Ryan is the newest member of the combo. Both musicians are experts at keeping the rhythm moving for the band.

Millsap is a master storyteller. "Hands Up" is the story of a war veteran robbing a convenience store as a last resort. He likes to create characters that are memorable and haunting. He adds a rocking melody that makes his songs winners. "Heaven Sent" is about another character that is gay and he must come out to his judgmental father. All of his created characters are figments of his imagination. These characters are the stuff of great Americana music. They may be dark, but they are never boring.

His album, The Very Last Day, was nominated for an American Music Award for Album of the Year for 2016. There will surely be many more award nominations to come for Millsap.

It was apparent that Millsap and the band were there to have a good time. One could hear Millsap become more playful as he combined his sensuality with his spiritual upbringing as the set progressed. Maybe that is the 'croix' of the Presley comparisons. The last night of the tour ended on a high note.
Set List:
1. Hands Up
2. Pining
3. Truck Stop Gospel
4. The Very Last Day
5. I Hope I Die
6. Tell Me
7. Heaven Sent
8. Good Night
9. Jealous Sun
10. Come Back When You Can't Stay For So Long
11. Other Arrangements
12. Fine Line
13. She
14. Front Porch
15. Your Water
16. Morning Blues
17. Hades Pleads
18. Singing To Me
19. Let a Little Light In
20. Coming On
21. Wherever You Are
22. Gotta Get to You

Encore:
23. Hesitate
24. Some People

Parker Millsap Parker Millsap
Parker Millsap

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