Review by King Dale
Photos by Micah Gummel
Show photos HERE
September 11th is a very difficult day for our country. Whether you were there or not,All our lives changed on that horrific day. And on the thirteenth anniversary of this tragic Day, I ended up doing the same thing I did on the night of September 11th 2001. I went to a concert.
I wasn’t trying to be insensitive to the day’s tragedy. But I felt it was necessary to express my freedom. And show those people that whatever they try to do to us. We’re going to be strong, and continue to live our lives.
There was certainly an eerie feel in the air that night. And to top it all off, it was a Blues Festival. Which is fitting, because the Blues is the only true form of American music. As people walked around draped in American flags, we were forced to go through metal detectors and a thorough inspection.
Which bring us to our current day in society. Fortunately thirteen years later, I’m a little more upbeat about the evening’s festivities. Blackberry Smoke is the perfect blend of Music Americana. Coming from the roots of Southern Rock, Blues and Country. Blackberry Smoke was the perfect band for this day.
Southern Rock is still alive and well. As Blackberry Smoke continues to carry the torch, that was originally lit by the Allman Brothers Band and Lynyrd Skynyrd. They earned their fans in the same manner. By touring their ass off. And as the Fire in the Hole tour rolled through Hampton Beach, New Hampshire. I was one of the lucky ones in attendance.
I was told that they only sold nine hundred tickets. But at 9:15pm when Blackberry Smoke took the stage, the place came alive. In support of their latest release “Whippoorwill”, they started off the evening with the funky swawpy sound of “Shakin’ hands with the Holy Ghost”. It sure set the mood and let the crowd know that it was time for the sounds of the south to rise.
After a smooth flow into the country charisma of “Sanctified Woman”, from the Little Piece of Dixie LP. The guy’s let loose with a handful of songs off the “Whippoorwill” LP. Starting off with a tune from their latest music video called “Six ways to Sunday”.
Which as it turns out is quite the tasty Love song. One of my favorite tunes from the new album is called “Crimson Moon”. A lot of great rhythms and tempo changes, one of those feel good songs.
I was real impressed with their musicianship. The feel they have and the way they structure their music, really shows how much time and work they put into their craft. They certainly paid attention when they listened to their musical idols from the south. You can hear the southern influences come out in the music. “Lesson in a Bottle” really has a Hank Williams groove to it. As well as “Ain’t got the Blues” which has a great acoustic intro to it.
I’m really glad that I went to this show. This band is growing on me. It’s like taking all of Americas greatest music and forming it all into one. Just like the Allman Brothers did it forty-five years ago. I also heard that Blackberry Smoke is working on a new album, which will feature a twin guitar sound. With a few acoustic numbers thrown in as well.
If you missed this show, you should really check this band out. As they’re starting to gain a lot of popularity, I have a feeling we’re going to be hearing a lot from them in the future. And I must say that’s one slice of Americana that I’ll be looking forward to.
Blackberry Smoke at the Casino Ballroom – NH
