Rising star Daniel Donato brought his band, Daniel Donato's Cosmic Country, to the Brooklyn Bowl for a three-night stand in late October, and they did not disappoint. Their clever mix of country, bluegrass, rock, and funk was a hit with the crowd, as the quartet continued to gain traction at the iconic Williamsburg venue. The setlist featured a mix of originals alongside notable covers, some of which the audience may not have expected to hear in a bluegrass setting.
The music kicked off with an electrified rendition of Mickey Newbury's "Why You Been Gone So Long." The band paid homage to funk-jam contemporaries The New Mastersounds by performing the instrumental "Cigar Time." Donato’s guitar skills shone brightly on this jazzy tune, while keyboardist Nathan Aronowitz elevated the track substantially, seamlessly transforming into a funk maestro. This jam was incredible and showcased the exceptional talent of the entire squad.
The first original of the evening, "Passing Storm," came next. Donato delivered this country tune, which evolved into an almost twenty-minute exploration of blues and prog rock. Often hailed as a virtuoso, Donato provided clear evidence of his mastery. Drummer Noah Miller navigated every beat change with precision, showcasing the wide range of music he is capable of playing. The tension and release at the song's conclusion were perfectly executed, making this performance one we highly recommend revisiting.
The music shifted back to a bluegrass feel with Jerry Reed's "East Bound and Down." Toward the end of the song, audience members began passing large sunglasses to the band, who put them on to the crowd's delight. Donato donned the glasses and shared a playful moment with Aronowitz, jokingly saying he was "glad you shaved your mustache." He then proposed an amusing lyric change for the next song, "Rolling in My Sweet Baby's Arms," swapping "arms" for "legs" in honor of the sunglasses. Donato declared the change respectful to tradition, prompting laughter from the crowd. The band followed suit, performing "Rolling in My Sweet Baby's Legs." Bassist Will McGee delivered a stellar bass solo toward the end of the song.
"Blame the Train" followed, quickly succeeded by another instrumental original, "Cosmic Country Gardens." McGee switched to the upright bass, adding a rich and flavorful aesthetic to the performance. The upbeat, bubbly tune resonated with the crowd. The set concluded on a high note with an eighteen-minute rendition of "Translation," featuring a bluegrass-infused heater and Donato delivering a face-melting guitar solo.
After a short break, the band returned with more originals, including "See Through." Donato's voice, reminiscent of Bob Dylan, added a unique touch to this bright, bluegrass-inspired tune, which eventually morphed into a deep psychedelic jam. This was an absolutely fiery moment and well worth revisiting this twenty-minute gem.
The music shifted gears into the euphonious, vocally driven "Down by the Riverside." Aronowitz joined Donato on vocals and contributed dynamic keyboard work to this well-known traditional tune. The band then transitioned into another country song, "Down Bedford," which once again launched into a funk-meets-psychedelia groove while still retaining its country roots. This performance encapsulates the essence of Cosmic Country and explains why fans are lining up to see this Nashville native and his talented squad.
"Justice" brought more country vibes and showcased Miller's skill in adding texture and seamlessly changing beats. This led into the Allman Brothers' classic "Jessica," where Aronowitz dazzled with an electrifying keyboard solo. Donato unleashed his fury, drawing on his experience playing with the Allman Brothers cover band Trouble No More. Before the song concluded, the band teased the next tune, "Boogie Man." This explosive dive into deep cosmic funk was enthusiastically received and perfectly in line with the night's energy. By this point, all four band members were firing on all cylinders. Our only wish was that this delicious jam had lasted even longer.
The band welcomed bassist Kevin Scott to the stage for the next tune, Bob Dylan's "Down Along the Cove." Donato employed a slide guitar effect for this dynamic double-bass performance. A thrilling bass face-off ensued between Scott and McGee, taking over the tune for an especially enjoyable moment. Scott remained on stage for the following song, "Freedom Jazz Dance." The band flawlessly executed this jazz standard, once again showcasing their remarkable versatility. The performance then morphed into something akin to a hoe-down infused with jazz, unquestionably making it the jam of the night.
"Always Been a Lover" brought even more high energy to the North Brooklyn venue. Following that, "Luck of the Draw" delivered a melodic chorus that ventured into mysterious psychedelic territory. Aronowitz and McGee continued to elevate the performance, driving the funk to new heights. This led into "Sugar Leg Rag," the sole track from their recent release, Reflector. This peppy, fast-paced song was the perfect conclusion to a remarkable set.
The band stepped off the stage briefly, allowing club owner Peter Shapiro to take the mic and address the crowd. He spoke about how fortunate everyone was to witness such a special show. On a side note, we as a community are incredibly fortunate to have Shapiro's passionate support for musicians like Daniel Donato's Cosmic Country.
The foursome returned to the stage and performed an acoustic rendition of "I've Been Working on the Railroad," evoking childhood nostalgia for many in the audience. The tune seamlessly transitioned into Warren Zevon's "Nighttime in the Switching Yard." This funk-fueled number perfectly matched the crowd's mood, as they were eager to keep dancing. Donato solidified his rock star status with a wailing finish to the song. The band wasn’t quite done yet, launching into an up-tempo version of "Respect," sung by Aronowitz. They closed the night with an exhilarating jam that left the crowd electrified.
Daniel Donato's Cosmic Country is a force to be reckoned with. They deliver a unique mashup of country, bluegrass, funk, psychedelic, prog, and blues rock, all infused with a fun, engaging attitude. We can’t wait to see Daniel Donato and his band again soon. Their next performance is at The Mexico Incident, supporting The String Cheese Incident from December 7-11, 2024. Tickets are available here. Catch them at in their hometown of Nashville, TN at the Brooklyn Bowl Nashville on December 13-14. Head on over to their tour page for more dates in your neck of the woods.
Check out more photos from the show!
Date: October 26, 2024
Band: Daniel Donato's Cosmic Country
Venue: Brooklyn Bowl
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Set One: Why You Been Gone So Long1, Cigar Time2, Passing Storm, East Bound and Down3, Roll in My Sweet Baby's Arms4, Blame the Train, Cosmic Country Gardens, Translation
Set Two: See Through, Down by the Riverside4, Down Bedford, Justice, Jessica5, Boogie Man, Down Along the Cove67, Freedom Jazz Dance78, Always Been a Lover, Luck of the Draw, Sugar Leg Rag
Encore: I've Been Working on the Railroad4, Nighttime in the Switching Yard9, Respect10
Notes:
1. Mickey Newbury
2. The New Mastersounds
3. Jerry Reed
4. Traditional
5. The Allman Brothers Band
6. Bob Dylan
7. With Bassist Kevin Scott
8. Eddie Harris
9. Warren Zevon
10. Otis Redding
