The live performances of ROBERT JON + THE WRECK are always highly skilled and incredibly generous.
“Heartbreaks & Last Goodbyes,” their ninth studio album, was sumptuously sensational and overflowed with glorious shimmering guitar solos and immense vocal power, so we were looking forward to a spectacular show at London’s famous Shepherd’s Bush Empire. Indeed, ‘whispering’ Bob Harris introduced Lynyrd Skynyrd live from BBC O2 Shepherds Bush Empire back in November 1975, so the Orange County boys were stepping out onto a hallowed podium.
Robert Jon & the Wreck’s music evokes Texas show band vibes, though their rockin’ fayre is also mixed with country-rock full-handedness and lively jig-like hard rock energy. What distinguishes this band from others in the field is the skillful clarity of the guitar-work, Burrison’s woody wholesome vocals, and the hearty inventiveness of his band’s expansive rhythms, provided by Andrew Espantman on drums and Warren Murrel on bass.
“Sittin’ Pretty” and similar songs felt like dramatic explorations of vibroacoustic intersensory facilitations. The vocal delivery from Robert Jon was always significant and strong, yet this artist consistently achieved a transformative and impactful effect on the audience. The guitar playing (Henry James) was astonishingly exciting and augmented by swirling layers of keyboard magic from Jake Abernathie. This was a stunning piece of supercool electroconductive rock ‘n’ roll jubilation!
The slower tracks (such as “Ashes in the Snow”) and including “Oh Miss Carolina,” were like grand, evolving set-pieces and came super-packed with deep emotion and nostalgic sensuality. Such songs evoked the spirit of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s greatest works, with lush sonic textures, striking choruses, and guitar solos that stirred feelings of reflective excitement in the London audience.
While “Red Moon Rising” was a captivating and mesmerizing piece, featuring robust bass lines reminiscent of the best of summer-of-love Sixties-style psychedelic imagery, and the most dynamic percussive rhythms we’ve heard in a long while.
“Cold Night” opened with introspective, jazzy keyboard notes, joined by bold bass lines and shimmering guitar chords, creating a fantastic base of moving elation. The piece was exquisitely sensual and touchingly bittersweet in reflection, featuring interwoven and sparkling keys, rich rhythmic layers, and an incredibly nuanced guitar solo.
In London, Robert Jon & the Wreck proved themselves to be the most compelling, engaging, and most innovative Southern /Country rock band on the circuit right now. Wow! Check out the extra dates (below) if you haven’t yet witnessed this super-impressive band!
File alongside: The Marshall Tucker Band, Blackberry Smoke
Words: © Neil Mach
Main photo: © Zoran Veselinovic
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