Spafford Review

Spafford, a jam-band founded in Prescott, Arizona, has the all the ingredients to make it big.  Consisting of lead guitarist and singer Brian Moss, drummer Nick Tkachyk, bassist Jordan Fairless, and keyboardist Andrew “Red” Johnson, Spafford boasts talent, precision, and a willingness to push the envelope. 

Influenced by bands like Phish and The Disco Biscuits, Spafford harnesses its collective prowess by indulging in several unique jam segments per show.  Their jams cover many genres, including funk, space, psychedelic, and rock.  Most jams culminate in an epic crescendo in the form of a merciless guitar peak.

Spafford’s live catalogue includes original songs as well as a variety of covers.  Recognizable cover tunes such as  Down Under, Stuck In The Middle With You, Midnight Rider, and Send Me On My Way are sprinkled throughout shows .  As a nod to their Jam-Band forefathers The Grateful Dead and Phish, Spafford will also bust out songs like Dark Star, Eyes of The World, Slave To The Traffic, and Harry Hood.

The band’s original songs are catchy and full of energy.  Electric Taco brings the funk, Galisteo Way rocks the house, and Beautiful Day is a show-stopping ballad that has heartfelt lyrics and a strong vocal performance.

Tastefully incorporating electric elements, Spafford utilizes moden technology without using it as a crutch.  Synthesizers layer select jams, creating an atmospheric soundscape fraught with psychedelia.

While many jam bands are notorious for poor vocals, Spafford boasts multiple members capable of carrying a tune.  Brian Moss handles the lead on most songs, and Johnson delivers a touching performance on Beautiful Day.

The most appealing part of a Spafford show is the band’s exuberance.  The four guys on stage are having as good of a time as anyone in the audience.  When they sync up to create an especially memorable passage of music, one can see the giddiness in the band members’ reactions.

The intimate setting of smaller venues such as Tempe’s Sail Inn only adds to the mystique of a Spafford show.  But with each concert, Spafford inches closer to playing larger and more far-off venues.  According to my ears, it is only a matter of time before they are touring the country.

High quality recordings of Spafford's live performances are available free of charge at:
https://archive.org/details/Spafford