“We’ve been coming here for 12 years” states frontman of Blackberry Smoke. “Our first show was at the Camden Barfly. Any of you there?” he asks. It’s a Sepultura at the Marquee moment as hundreds of obviously lying fans shout “yes”. Such is the popularity of the Georgian outfit that they are now selling out the venue I will always call the Hammersmith Odeon.
They’ve been through some adversity in 2024, but the band, bolstered by latest album Be Right Here, are in fine form for their final UK show of a short five-date visit to the UK, part of a bigger European and US tour that doesn’t finish until the end of the year. Tonight is the first time some have seen the Smoke, but for me it’s the sixth or seventh, and in the biggest venue so far.
Unsurprisingly, this is a band who as comfortable playing in as iconic venue as this as they are on the back of a flatbed Ford in their own back yard. They simply ooze quality, making the complex look simple, and delivering a two-hour 21 song set without apparently breaking sweat. Scratch the surface, and you’ll find guts, determination, and no small modicum of talent tucked away.
With eight albums to draw from, including Be Right Here to promote, this was always going to be an excellent evening. It proved to be that in every way. A check on Setlist FM confirms that this is a band who switch the set around every night, so there are always a few choice cuts alongside the favourites that excite those whose interest may be less fanatical.
Still, kicking things off with Live it Down from You Hear Georgia was unexpected, but Good One Comin’ On and Hammer and Nail quickly elevate the temperature in the famous old venue. A gentle tip to Brit Turner (RIP) leads to a gorgeous Azalea, a fitting tribute to their departed drummer, and whilst it is surely still raw, the band and Starr don’t dwell on it. Maybe that’s the best way, with Brit no doubt looking down and giving the thumbs up of approval to Kent Aberle who doesn’t miss a beat behind the kit.
This is a vibrant Blackberry Smoke, with Benji Shanks now on board and adding not only some ferocious fretwork but also mandolin on Azalea. There’s a brief pause as an overexcited audience member needs security assistance, Starr halting proceedings with almost instant cessation from the entire band, gently ribbing about mushroom overindulgence before they pick up again without a note missed.
You want heavier Smoke? Waiting for the Thunder is massive, Let it Burn roars whilst the interplay on Sleeping Dogs / Long Haired Country Boy sees the band dip in and out of a bit of Zeppelin. This isn’t a run through of their songs as per recording, no sir.
One Horse Town sees the audience on their feet before Little Bit Crazy ends the main set. Starr returns with fine hat for Don’t Mind If I Do, which leads to the finale of Ain’t Much left of Me with Mississippi Kid intertwined into the middle. It starts with more virtuoso work from Starr, who threads a bit of Amazing Grace into the beginning.
It’s a fine set, and although Starr is inevitably the focus, the slickness of the entire unit cannot be underestimated. Richard Turner must be the coolest bassist in town, barely needing to move, whilst guitarist Paul Jackson spends much of the evening beaming at those in the front rows. That just leaves the integral keyboard and Hammond work of Brandon Still. Unassuming, his layered style adds another dimension through the evening. It won’t be a surprise if next time Blackberry Smoke hit the UK the venues are even larger. Wembley Arena beckons. And if they do, then it will be because of nights like these, when they proved once more how phenomenally good, they are.
The evening starts an hour earlier with Bones Owens and his fellow musicians Doy Gardner (drums) and Sonny Remlinger on bass and keys. Standing in for The Steel Woods who decided to pull out and call it a day, Bones brings an interesting warm up to the night. He’s far away from the rear of the circle where I’m sat, but he’s loud as hell, as he switches guitars. There’s a Firebird, a Flying V, and a couple of other Gibsons as well.
Not being that familiar with his music, it’s time to sit back and just appreciate the talent on display.
He’s not overindulgent on twiddly fretwork, and possesses a rich, sonorous vocal style that certainly warms. The man from Missouri and now a native of Nashville can write a song, with a strong blues rock blend that adds a muscular edge to each track. He draws a few from new album Love Out of Lemons, as well as diving deeper into previous releases. From where I sit, he looks a well-built dude, and he plays with a passion most of his peers. There’s a powerful stomp on opener Get It On, plenty to explore during Keep it Close (One of five from his album Bones Owens) and flashes of his inspirations littered across the set of 11-songs. Was that a flash of When the Levee Breaks that flitted into one of the songs? Very Possibly. By the time he’s torn through Rambler and Bout Time, we’ve had 45-minutes. A generous set allowed by the headliners, who Owens is keen to praise and support. It’s his first visit to Hammersmith, a venue he had on his wall with pictures of Johnny Cash when he was younger. Tonight, he ticks another off the bucket list. Dreams can come true.
Review and photos by Hutch
.jpg)
No comments:
Post a Comment