CONCERT REVIEW: Toad the Wet Sprocket, Roseland, New York City

May 5, 1995

- Bob Gajarsky

Toad the Wet Sprocket, the band named after a Monty Python skit, has been touring long and hard for their most recent release, 1994's Dulcinea. On this stop of the tour, Toad's caravan rolled into New York City's Roseland for a 90 minute set which kept the sold out crowd screaming for more.

If, for some reason, your ear hasn't been fortunate to catch Toad on the radio, think of Dave Matthews Band, From Good Homes, or Hootie and the Blowfish. If you know what Toad is about, the live show brought out all the enthusiasm which yearns to come through on their record.

The hit "All I Want", from Fear, was what brought some fans out onto the floor. It's hard to imagine the song, which almost traces a Thompson Twins falsetto in the middle, being a dance tune, but there were people swishing and moving to the beat. Unfortunately, it was obvious that to some people, this song was all that they knew of Toad. The bandwagonners retreated back to the shadows after "All I Want", leaving the rest of the Roseland floor to the intelligent music lovers.

In fact, the highlight of the evening was when Hootie, without the Blowfish, joined Toad onstage to take lead vocals on the Dulcinea track, "Crowing". It's said that the songwriting abilities of an artist show only when someone else sings your song - in this case, Toad earn top marks. To say that Hootie's performance of "Crowing" was chilling is an understatement; his sincerity and passion perfectly complemented the band and drew oohs and ahhs from the entire audience.

After 18 songs (and two encores), primarily from Fear and Dulcinea capped off by "I Will Not Take These Things For Granted", Toad left the stage. And, outside of Roseland, several thousand fans were left yearning for more - but feeling incredibly satisfied at the standout performance they witnessed.