Review: M. Ward @ Sixth and I Synagogue

“Oh a trance is a spell/ with a thrill wrapped up inside it,” Portland, Oregon singer-songwriter M. Ward sang, six songs into his set at the Sixth and I Historic Synagogue in Washington on Feb. 21. While he may not have intended it, you can’t help but think the line is a bit self-referential.

[Photos by Zachary Herrmann]

There is, indeed, something trance-like about Ward’s music, and he had the crowd deep in meditation as he took the stage unaccompanied to open the show. With just an acoustic guitar, harmonica and his voice, Ward dazzled the crowd with impeccable leads on One Hundred Million Years and Duet for Guitars #3.

An underrated guitarist, Ward is simply mesmerizing with an acoustic guitar – effortlessly balancing bass notes with lead lines on the Rev. Robert Wilkins cover Prodigal Son. He’s no slouch on electric either, later destroying the fret board – with a full band in tow - on Bean Vine Blues #2, a song by one of his biggest influences, John Fahey.

READ ON for more from Rudi on M. Ward in D.C….