PARKER BARROW // Georgia Nevada // Live Review // STOWMARKET – THE JOHN PEEL CENTRE

What a night this promises to be! I had witnessed Georgia Nevada in a support role previously. She was more dynamic and rockier than I had expected, her Country Blues came alive, she engaged well with the audience and performed very well. I expected more of the same tonight, for some reason it just didn’t translate from the stage as effectively for me. It was Okay but with her guitarist, Edd Robinson it just lacked something, a spark or maybe energy. As a warm up to the headliner it was fine without ever being spectacular. The set did finish with a cover of ‘What’s Up?’ by the 4 Non Blondes and it easily got the best reaction, but then it was over, so what’s going on?

Spectacular is a great place to start for Tennessee-based Southern Blues Rockers Parker Barrow. A year or so ago, I witnessed them support The Damn Truth, and boy, did they put on a show! My guess is that, as this is the band’s first headlining tour, it is going to be something very special.

Vocalist Megan Kane is an eye-catching dynamic performer, she never stops smiling, spinning and twirling, her voice is first class, as she leads from the front. Drummer Dylan Turner is a powerhouse at the back as he piles non-stop into his skins. Looking from an audience perspective to Kane’s right, you have the colourful, striking and slightly imposing figure of Kyle Priber, who makes his bass bob and bounce as he looks cool in his shades. Next to him is guitarist Will Tipton, who brings his instrument to life, dressed in his Whitesnake T-shirt; put it this way: you wouldn’t say he takes it ‘Slow & Easy’, but he does ‘Slide It In’! On the other side we have Alex Bender, who is the musical director and 2nd guitarist; Bender & Tipton entwine perfectly as they dazzle and duel throughout the exceptional set. Finally, on the far left we arrive at Eric Safka; he just looks cool and unfazed by the drama around him as he provides glorious splashes of colour via his keys.

The John Peel Centre is packed, and from the moment ‘Make It’ poured & powered, Southern feel emanated from the stage. Kane started singing, spinning in her blue, sparkly jacket; there was an audible sense of excitement, guitars blending as one, lavish keys enhancing immaculately. ‘Blinded’ followed, increasing the intensity with its AC/DC crunching rhythm and chords, the drums driving it towards ‘The Highway To Hell’. It is high energy stuff, the next offering ‘Novocaine’ takes the foot off the gas; initially, with some delicate Southern infused guitar, before Kane explodes with raw power!  This trio of songs comes from their excellent sophomore album, Hold The Mash.

We do get a proper change of pace for ‘Don’t Tell Mama (What Mama Don’t Know) from the debut album Jukebox Gypsies, it is a song which is full of interplay which heats up and extends beyond the studio version. It gives Kane a chance to take a breather and boy she needs one! Keyboards add an extra dimension as the song goes into a Jam. But believe me, you ain’t heard nothing yet. ‘The Healer’ and ‘Olivia Lane’ bring us back to The Mash, Bender breaking and wringing the sound from his heavily road worn Fender Telecaster, Kane is back and firing on all cylinders, it is time to take a seat for ‘Olivia Lane’ Tipton gets his acoustic out, Kane is more restrained her voice rising effortlessly and hitting the high notes, “Won’t you do her” she asks, exclaiming, “I am so glad you have let us come to play our music for you, thank you all so much”.  ‘Ruby’s Reckoning’ adds a bit of country-fried blues.

Let’s move on to what I guess is many peoples highlight a very long jam, with obligatory drum solo, which even features Kane banging away. This jam is built around Led Zeps ‘No Quarter’ and to me is way too much, it just keeps going and going, eventually normality resumed. I understand that with limited material, there is a need to add something extra, but it was a bit indulgent and other songs, six off ‘Gypsies get missed. We then return to normality as ‘Nothin’ Left To Save’ & ‘Peace, Love, Rock N’ Rollin’ close the main set.

A brief break begins as a frenzy of cheers takes place; more, more, more is chanted. Parker Barrow return, Megan Kane looking ecstatic then stating, “this is our favourite Black Crowes song” then ‘My Morning Song” begins, everyone smiles and goes crazy! What a night, phew! It is so hot, but we don’t need any hydration breaks! The band then hang around for photos and to sign anything handed to them. It has been a night of electric musical joy.

Parker Barrow are set to return later in the year; if you missed this tour, don’t miss that- phenomenal!

Review: Paul Mace

Parker Barrow Set List.

Make It, Blinded, Novocaine, Don’t Tell Mama, Throwin’ Stones, The Healer, Olivia Lane, Ruby’s Reckoning, Count Your Dollars, Glass Eyes Cryin’, Nothing Left To Save, Peace, Love, Rockin’ N Rollin’, encore. My Morning Song (Black Crowes Cover)