Blackberry Smoke

Blackberry Smoke have made a major impact among the rock fraternity in the UK during the last 12 months, following the release of their most recent studio CD, "The Whippoorwill". Its the last night of half a dozen dates and although some new songs are reported from earlier dates we are treated to the tried and trusted tonight.
This is their second tour here this year and while they are promoting their recent live release "Leave a Scar - Live", their set is dominated by material from their most recent studio CD.
The "Institute" in Birmingham turns out to be what I have always known as "Digbeth Civic Hall", but time waits for no man so I need to get used to its current name. In addition to the stalls it has 2 balcony levels (to assist short people like myself, who want to actually see the band) and has a capacity of around 1,200, or so I`m told.
Before the headliners take to the stage we are treated to an appearance from up and coming blues rock starlet Aaron Keylock, which warms the audience up nicely. The 3 piece band race through a short set of original material, dominated by Keylock's searing guitar. He likes his "bottle neck" and songs like opener "Medicine Man" feature it strongly. Definitely one to look out for.
By the time Blackberry Smoke hit the stage with "Like I Am" the place looks full to bursting and the band get a great reception. The music is "Southern Rock" more in the 70's "Skynerd" style than, say heavier 21st century proponents like "Blackstone Cherry", with a nod towards the blues and more than a nod towards country music.
The band continue with "Testify" from "Bad Luck Ain't No Crime", their first full length CD album, recorded before keyboardist Brandon Still had joined. The stand out track on that release, the addition of the glorious B3 sound has transformed it into an anthem.
The set races along, dipping into the "Honky Tonk Bootlegs" mini LP and their 3rd release "Little Piece Of Dixie" for nuggets like "Lesson in a Bottle", "Restless" and the hard hitting "Up in Smoke" which has the crowd bouncing around in the stalls.
Charlie Starr is a "star"; the main songwriter in the band, he handles lead vocals and most of the lead guitar. His voice is perfect for the style of music being played, from the hard rockers to the country flavoured ballads that are featured in the second half of the set and he is ably assisted by guitarist Paul Jackson who handles solo's and dual lead with Charlie when called upon.
Paul and bassist Rich Turner provide backing vocals and harmonies and these are an important part of the group's sound. It is particularly evident from songs like the meandering "The Whippoorwill" that the band work hard on their arrangements, with the instrumentation complementing the song perfectly.
Rich and his brother Britt (looks nothing like his namesake Ekland) combine to form a solid rhythm section and the aforementioned Brandon Still adds B3 and piano to give the sound richness and depth.
The band are up for having a bit of fun and slip in a verse of the Allman's "Midnight Rider" during "Sleepin' Dogs" as is their habit and introduce some of the songs with short stories, including recollection of a meeting with the country rockers the "Maverick's" that left its mark on all concerned before "Lesson in a Bottle".
Catchy songs like "Pretty Little Lie" and "One Horse Town" are further highlights and Charlie switches to acoustic guitar for "Ain't Got the Blues", with its almost Honky tonk feel.
The main set builds to its climax with the powerful "Ain't Much Left Of Me", all slide guitar and a verse from "When the Levee Breaks" and the lads leave to rapturous applause and cheering.
The band return and play an encore set, featuring two of the best known songs from the "Whippoorwell" CD, the up tempo "Leave a Scar" and "Shakin' Hands with the Holy Ghost", the song that first obtained radio airplay for them in the UK, leaving the crowd in high spirits at the close.
Blackberry Smoke have come from nowhere to being a genuine concert draw in the UK in little over a year. Their last 2 CD`s, "Whippoorwill" and "Leave a Scar - Live" showcase their ability to write good songs and arrange them well - seeing them live confirms that they are the real deal!

In general they're good fun, have personality, a good groove and are good value. I enjoyed the rehearsed "improvised jams," especially the Led Zep snippets, but I'm a fairly frequent gig goer and this year and have been lucky enough to see some amazing gigs, and this one felt a little flat to me. The latest album; left me a little underwhelmed tbh and having seen them 3 times in three years I think perhaps the novelty is beginning to wear a little thin for me. Maybe its the 'London factor' but having seen the Smoke in Manchester last year they just don't seem to play with the same verve and intensity in the capital. As a tinnitus sufferer the volume and acoustics didn't help performance and they fairly rattled through the set with not much in the way of between song banter or interplay with the crowd. It wasn't a bad gig just a little muted, I left during the first song of the encore in time to get the last train home and hope I didn't miss something special. Perhaps tiredness was a factor given the fact that they tour almost constantly? I think I will give the next London gig a miss and maybe try and catch them at another venue. 7/10

The warm up bands were ok, not sure if I'd buy their cd's, but it was worth listening to as a warm up. As for Blackberry Smoke, they were a tremendous experience. I was a little disappointed they didn't play one of my favorite songs by them. Sense they have such a large selection of quality work, and a finite performance time, I understand that they couldn't play everything of theirs. I got to meet Charlie briefly before the concert, very nice guy. I am a new BBS fan, which amazes me as to the length of time they've been performing and not popped up on my radar before now. I was raised in the south, and I see their southern charm and manners shine through in their interviews, and even their performances. I hope they keep their humility and politeness in what I am sure to be a very successful career. I talked to some of their more seasoned fans, and the thing that comes through is BBS are "performers"! As a side note, they were awesome in improving their music, straying from their music to "The Beatles White Album, Why Don't we do it in the Road", to some Led Zeppelin stuff. How many ways can you say "awesome concert"?

Blackberry Smoke I’m assuming aren’t talking about the Blackberry phones with their name surely? Nope. They bring to the table a very distinct southern rock with the grittiest vocals and guitar sound. Their music is so catchy, this whole atmosphere feels like a party, with maybe four thousand people watching them, all of which are dancing and singing along, with at least one drink in their hands. I’ve got to give it to this band, they just know exactly what they’re doing with the tightest sound and some of the most soulful lead breaks from the both guitarists and keyboard players.
It almost feels like a country and western musical with the variety of songs that they play despite all being that of a country vibe. Some personal highlights for me this evening are songs such as “Shakin Hands with The Holy Ghost”, and “One Horse Town” every song being as good as the last.

When I read that BS were playing as close to me as Newcastle, I just had to go. I took my 17 year old daughter who was probably the youngest at the show.
When the guys came on stage and started off with Holy Ghost it set the show off in style. What a bunch of musicians these guys are and not a hint of a voice synthesiser anywhere. These are the real deal and not like the manufactured pop rubbish we get thrown down our necks on the radio!
Take my word for it, BS will go all the way to the top. Not a big head in sight, just an honest set of guys doing what they do best.
Minimal talking from Charlie Starr, just a quick thank you and on to the next song.
I think the band were taken back by the amount of noise we made and the knowledge we had of the lyrics (it's a long way from Atlanta to the North East).
This is a band not to be missed!!

DO NOT be afraid of "labels" and go see this Band!! BBS will kick your butt from here (where ever that may be) to Georgia and back and you'll be a better person for it. There has been a grassroots resurgence of Straight up good Rock n' Roll going on for awhile now and BBS are one of the bands leading the march. IMO the first band to actually deserve to be considered a viable candidate to step up and fill the hole left by the original line up of LYNYRD SKYNYRD. That being said, BBS is more akin to AEROSMITH. As there is a "Edge" to them that maybe SKYNYRD only showed in songs like "Gimme back my Bullets"?

Great musicians, great songs, catchy hooks and all played with a swagger that has been missing in real rock music for a very long time. Go see them Live and you will be convinced within the first song.

These guys have a good time. Plain and simple, the love for playing music is not lost on this group of artists. From the start of the show until the end every member of Blackberry Smoke can't frown from grinin'. This is passed on to anyone in the crowd willing to appreciate it. They ripped through gem after gem after gem from their songbook. Sprinkling in some new songs that, I'll be honest, sound much better live than on the album. Blackberry Smoke makes their own formula of the southern rock show, but at times are reminded of their roots and influences. They got the Led out and turned to 11. I really like a Blackberry Smoke show. If you want to have fun for a few hours and enjoy rock n roll, catch them when you can.

In a sold out hmv ritz in manchester, the support was from the fantastic blues 16 year old singer aaron keylock, this young gentleman is destined for great things. Then on came blackberry smoke, what can be said about these guys, fantastic musicianship, not a note and vocal out of place. Southern country/rock at its best, all the classic songs by these guys were played. These guys have been going for just over 10 Years and hail from Atlanta, Georgia and are beginning to get radio play and quite a following on these shores.

The Video was a song from the project of Barry Waldrep. This song played before the release of the album "Smoke From The Kitchen" With Barry on the album, Charlie Starr, of Blackberry Smoke, Paul T Riddle, Founding member of The Marshall Tucker Band, Oteil Burbridge, The Allman Brothers Band, Coy Bowles, of The Zac Brown Band, along with The Shanker... Benji Shanks, special guest David "Dawg" Grisman, Chuch Leavell, of The Allman Brothers, and current member The Rolling Stones ... Great CD/DVD, also great live !

Fantastic concert wonderful venue!!!

The guys put on one hell of a two hour show !!!!

If anyone ever get the chance to go see them and you haven’t yet please do, best bang for the buck

Other than some jack off in the crowd throwing a beer can , everything went great!!!

Thanks again blackberry smoke for a wonderful time

Marty hayes and family