13 November 2013 (gig)
25 November 2013
I've heard a few bands described as "too rock for country, too country for rock" but have only found a few bands that can actually pull it off. Blackberry Smoke are most certainly one them and I'm sure Waylon Jennings was smiling down and Bon Scott gave a thumbs up when these boys shadows first darkened a stage.
On their first visit to London from Atlanta, Georgia, the five piece Blackberry Smoke are faced with a sold-out crowd consisting of a large majority of press and industry people (Their 3rd album Whipporwill is about to have it's European release through Earache Records), but as they launched into thier first number it was more than apparent that everybody would be leaving as fans. After all this was the hottest ticket in town and probably should have been moved to a bigger venue, but admittedly the intimacy of the Barfly worked in their favour.
Opening with a three song onslaught of "Leave a Scar", "Like I am", and "Six Ways to Sunday", it's not long before we hear their best know hit "Good One Coming On" and Blackberry Smoke have the crowd in the palm of their hands, and turned the upstairs room in London into their own rock 'n' roll honky tonk. They're clearly very talented musicians with a varied song choice mixing country, rock and blues into a solid set of original numbers - albeit a tease of The Allman Brothers' "Midnight Rider" in "Sleeping Dogs". "Ain't Much Left of Me" again from their forthcoming Whipporwill album was the real stand out number, but from bar of material already set very high.
With their Southern swagger and likeable mannerisms it was clear they enjoyed themselves in the intimacy the small venue allowed. How this will transfer to the bigger stage of the Islington Academy next March is anybody's guess, but although this was their first UK show, Blackberry Smoke have performed throughout the United States as both headliner and as the supporting act for artists such as ZZ Top, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Zac Brown Band, so I'm confident that next year's full UK tour will be a must-attend event.
Yes it was rock, yes it was Country, and I'm pretty sure that Ronnie Van Zant just passed down his Southern Rock crown. Come on, let's share the smoke!!
Earache Records release Blackberry Smoke's Whipporwill (3 Bonus Track UK/EU Edition) on 17th Feb 2014 in both vinyl and CD formats
Blackberry Smoke will be touring the UK 28th Feb — 5th March 2014
