REVIEW: Twilight Muse – ‘Collabs: Live at Garcia’s at The Cap’
If ‘A Moment Out of Time’ introduced Twilight Muse as poetic architects of groove-infused rock and soul, their new live release ‘Collabs: Live at Garcia’s at The Cap’ cements them as fearless curators of musical communion. Recorded in the hallowed walls of Garcia’s at The Capitol Theatre, this record is a vibrant love letter to the art of improvisation and the electric alchemy that happens when seasoned players collide on stage.
Fronted by the magnetic duo of Meg Pollaro and Andrew Shapiro, Twilight Muse already had a knack for blending raw lyricism with tightly woven rhythms. But on ‘Collabs’, the band pushes their sound far past the familiar, opening the floor to a roster of heavy hitters and watching the sparks fly.
The first taste we get is ‘Living for the City’, a fiery reinterpretation of Stevie Wonder’s classic. Robert Randolph’s pedal steel tears open the sky, while G. Love’s harmonica cuts through like smoke curling around a flame. The chemistry is undeniable, and as the jam unfolds, it morphs into something that feels less like a performance and more like a spiritual summoning. Equal parts grit and groove, this track is a masterclass in how to breathe new life into sacred material without losing its soul.
Then there’s ‘The Mayor’, a new original that glows with vintage funk hues and brims with confident swagger. George Porter Jr., of The Meters fame, steps in on bass and gives the track its backbone—each note laid down with the wisdom of a man who invented the pocket. It’s a funky, sly number that signals a thrilling shift in the band’s songwriting. While the lyrics retain the introspection fans know and love, the delivery is looser, bolder – like a band that’s been set free.
That freedom pulses through the whole record. Whether it’s the swirling interplay between keys and guitar, or Pollaro’s smoky vocals dancing with Shapiro’s gritty tone, every moment is alive with possibility. There’s a looseness here – not sloppy, but alive – that can only happen when great musicians trust each other enough to take risks. And when the payoff lands, it soars.
Recorded in a venue that’s synonymous with jam royalty, this album wears its setting like a second skin. The spirit of musical exploration hangs in the air, and Twilight Muse lean all the way in, letting each guest elevate their vision without ever losing their centre.