ROBERT JON & THE WRECK // THESE WICKED RIVERS // LIVE REVIEW // JUNCTION // CAMBRIDGE
These Wicked Rivers are a band on a rapid rise; on the day of this gig, they released their third album ‘Fire & Folklore’. In their thirty minutes, the band from Belper, Derbyshire, impressed many people seeing and hearing them for the first time. A warmth emanates from the stage, not to mention peace, love & lampshades. The ensuing thirty minutes were never going to be enough; I think the band are passed the support slot, especially at venues of this size.
It was particularly interesting and good to have drummer Dan Southall positioned stage left from a photographer’s point of view; it created a good opportunity for some different shots. These Wicked Rivers made the most of every minute of their slot, playing just five songs, including two from the new album, ‘Horse To Water’ and ‘Ain’t No Smoke ’, along with fan favourite ‘Testify’. Keeping the set as brief as possible, John Hartwell brings a rich, deep, gravelly vocal range as the band delivers a raw, organic sound of heavy blues mixed with Southern Rock. Arran Day on lead guitar is a sight to behold as he spins and kicks while firing off fluid riffs. Make sure you catch them on tour in November; I promise they’ll blow your mind.
https://ffm.bio/thesewickedrivers
Review: Paul Mace
Photography: Laurence Harvey
Robert Jon And The Wreck are from Orange County, Southern California; their brand of Rock is Southern with a West Coast Twist. The band seem to be on tour constantly, having played this venue numerous times; each time, the crowd gets bigger and noisier, something frontman Robert Jon Burrison alludes to tonight when he says, “Cambridge, will you sing this with us? You guys have sung this louder than any other venue”? The audience responds enthusiastically and takes the roof off with ‘Oh Miss Carolina’. The show kicked off with ‘Waiting for Your Man ’; from there, the five-piece delivered a musical masterclass as dual guitars intertwined with keys, drums, and bass, topped off by Burrison’s warm, weathered, soulful voice.
Tonight is Henry James’s (guitarist) birthday, so we all do our best to sing and celebrate the occasion with him. A major strength of this band is the camaraderie and togetherness of the group; like the support act, they all have character, personality, and individualism that pours from the stage. Jake Abernathie has blond, curly hair that bounces as he smiles and delivers fine Hammond organ; bassist Warren Murrel keeps it short; he comes across as the funny man as he plays with aplomb. Drummer Andrew Espantman powers it all from the back with his massive hair, with subtlety in all the right places (I have started the hair thing, so I have to finish it)! Henry James is a cross between Hendrix and Lynott, you get the picture, he is a dazzling player, his face highlighting the emotion of his playing. Back to our front man with hat and huge beard, he is a big character, quietly spoken between songs, he has a presence that matches his beard, apart from his vocal delivery it is the interplay with James and Abernathie that makes the music so special.
There are many highlights, ‘Ashes In The Snow’ being one; it is slower-paced, full of depth and feel, sung with finesse and emotion. Of course we got an encore, the night ends with ‘Do You Remember’, I can assure you it is something those in attendance will do as it was an unforgettable night of big, beardy Blues heaven. With ten studio albums to pick from, the setlist is an ever-evolving thing, this is my third encounter with RJW and I can only say they get better and better.
Review: Paul Mace
Photography: Laurence Harvey
Setlist: Robert Jon & The Wreck
Waiting For Your Man, Blame It On The Whiskey, Arroyo, Boss Man, Sittin’ Pretty, Better Od Me, Ashes In The Snow, Heartbreak & Last Goodbye, Glory Bound, Oh Miss Carolina, Cold Night, Encore, Rager, Do You Remember. These Wicked Rivers – Shine On, Ain’t No Smoke, Testify, Horse To Water, Don’t Pray For Me.
For tickets, music, and more information, visit robertjonandthewreck.com
October 3 – Nottingham, UK – Rock City
October 4 – Liverpool, UK – 02 Academy Liverpool
October 6 – Bristol, UK – Trinity Centre
October 7 – Leeds, UK – Project House
October 8 – Oxford, UK – 02 Academy Oxford
October 9 – Weert, NL – De Bosuil
October 10 – Utrecht, NL – Tivoli Vredenburg
October 11 – Dortmund, DE – Musiktheater Piano
October 12 – Nuremberg, DE – Hirsch
October 14 – Hannover, DE – Blues Garage
October 15 – Aschaffenburg, DE – Colos-Saal
October 16 – Lossnitz, DE – Zur Linde
October 17 – Seewen, CH – Gaswerk Eventbar
October 18 – Seon, CH – Konservi Seon
October 19 – Rubigen, CH – Muhle Hunziken
October 21 – Clermont-Ferrand, FR – La Cooperative De Mai
October 22 – La Roche-Sur-Yon FR – Quai M
October 23 – Penmarch, FR – Salle Cap Caval
October 24 – Cleon, FR – La Traverse
October 25 – Lille, FR – Le Splendid
October 28 – Verviers,BE – Spirit of 66
