Hailing from Atlanta, Georgia and with collars as blue as a Smurf's arse, Blackberry Smoke have garnered a healthy reputation as one of the finest southern rock acts of recent times. On this scorching live album they effortlessly justify that hype, with their roasting repertoire of songs about love, heartbreak, fighting, drinking and life's bitter lessons making them worthy heirs to Lynyrd Skynyrd’s crown.
There's a common misconception that bands are at their best on record, utilising time in a controlled studio environment to make their songs sound as good as possible. Listen to this album and it's clear that's bullshit, as Blackberry Smoke show the good folk of North Carolina that music is often at its most exhilarating when played live and loud in all its hairy, sweaty, spontaneous glory.
With three albums and an EP to choose from, this 22 song set includes every cut from 'The Whippoorwill', as well as a selection from their previous records and a typically vengeful, face-kicker of a new song, Payback's A Bitch.
Demonstrating a deep-seated understanding and feel for the integral elements of southern rock, they batter out monstrous, arena-sized stormers like Up In Smoke, tattoo a feelgood smile on your downbeat mug with Good One Comin' On and Lucky Seven, and mine the depths of rootsy Americana on the undiluted country wit of Son Of The Bourbon.
They also dive into outlaw country territory on the barn-burning Leave A Scar and untameable nomad spirit of Restless before slowing things down with the beautiful, gospel-tinged The Whippoorwill, which features some lovely Brian May-esque guitar work. And let's not forget they do spanking honkytonk with the lascivious lover promise of Six Ways To Sunday, greasy grooves of Sanctified Woman and church of rock ‘n' roll stomper Testify.
Holding it all together is frontman Charlie Starr, whose soulful, country-inflected voice carries off the material with emotion and power. His repeated cries of 'Yeah, baby', meanwhile, cast him as some sort of redneck Austin Powers.
An electrifying buzz sweeps through the joint as opener Shakin' Hands With The Holy Ghost finds the band lock into their swaggering stride with great interplay, rousing harmonies and wonderful piano from the exceptional Brandon Still. They're great players who, as a unit, are as tight as a clenched fist, with some prolonged improvisation on Sleeping Dogs and a flawless segue from Ain't Much Left Of Me into Led Zeppelin's When The Levee Breaks highlighting the kind of chemistry you won't see on a million episodes of the bloody X Factor.
The accompanying DVD shows the band grinning and having a blast as their down home spirit turns the venue into the largest bar in town. They possess that intangible quality of being able to generate a special atmosphere as soon as they hit the stage. It's an abstract element that's hard to explain, but you know it when you see it. Grab your stetson, down some whiskey and check them out when they tour the UK and Ireland later this year.
Blackberry Smoke Upcoming Tour Dates are as follows:
Wed October 15 2014 - DUBLIN Academy
Thu October 16 2014 - GLASGOW O2 ABC
Fri October 17 2014 - MANCHESTER Ritz
Sun October 19 2014 - LONDON O2 Shepherds Bush Empire
Tue October 21 2014 - CAMBRIDGE Junction
Wed October 22 2014 - BIRMINGHAM Institute
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