Tuesday Tunes: Spotlight on Blackberry Smoke
If you’re a fan of the sleazy, swaggery Southern blues-rock supplied by the Black Crowes 20 years ago, you’ll find the band’s kindred spirits in Blackberry Smoke.
The Atlanta quintet is the real deal and display their maturation from bar band to ready-for-prime-time arena fillers on “The Whippoorwill,” their third album and first on Zac Brown’s Southern Ground label.
While there are shades of Cinderella’s “Gypsy Road” in the riffs that open the album lead track, “Six Ways to Sunday,” the guys quickly dive into a piano boogie backdrop played against serrated guitar chords.
Throughout the album – which Blackberry Smoke has been selling at tour dates for several months – lead singer Charlie Starr’s gasoline-soaked voice is full of cracks in the most meaningful places. You hear it in the lazy strut of “Everybody Knows She’s Mine” and the title track, a groggy accompaniment to a bottle of Jack Daniels.
The band adeptly shifts from the pure country of “One Horse Town,” on which Starr plaintively reflects on being “an old married man at 23” already looking for a way to get his boys out of this “little bitty town,” to the blistering barroom rocker “Leave a Scar,” a breathless head-spinner flecked with banjo for that omnipresent Southern flavor.
Elsewhere, Blackberry works its endearing habit of time signature shifts on “Crimson Moon,” which starts with heavy guitar, organ and a stomping beat that fades into a pretty melody, and then does the opposite with “Ain’t Got the Blues,” an old-timey back porch strummer that bursts into a foot-tapping shuffle.
Then again, it’s nearly impossible not to tap some part of your body while immersed in “The Whippoorwill.”
Also available Tuesday:
- 2 Chainz, “Based on a T.R.U. Story,” the Def Jam debut from rapper also known as Tauheed Epps who can brag of guest spots from The-Dream, Lil Wayne and Nicki Minaj, who offered an opening slot at her Fox show last month.
- Steve Vai, “The Story of Light,” the guitar maestro’s first full-length studio release since 2005.
- Daniel Powter, “Turn on the Lights,” the latest attempt by the “Bad Day” singer to make another mark in America. First single “Cupid” is a great start, if anyone would pay attention.
- Various Artists, “Just Tell Me That You Want Me – A Tribute to Fleetwood Mac,” a collection named after a line from “Tusk” and featuring Mac songs covered by MGMT, The Kills, Billy Gibbons & Co. (yes, that Billy Gibbons) and Marianne Faithfull.
- Loverboy, “Rock N Roll Revival,” on which the onetime MTV faves borrow a page from Def Leppard and re-record nine hits (“Working for the Weekend” and “The Kid is Hot Tonite” included) as well as three new tunes.
accessAtlanta Partner Sites
Sections
Advertise on accessAtlanta.com »
Reach the audience you want by advertising on accessAtlanta.com
Join the Access Atlanta Network »
Advertisers and Publishers, expand your reach by joining the Access Atlanta Network.
Tell us what you think about the site
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement | About our ads
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
26 comments Add your comment
BBS
August 14th, 2012
7:24 am
The Butler hid the lead pipe in the study. Do yourself a favor and pick up this album today. Blackberry Smoke is a smoking ass live band.
Rockin
August 14th, 2012
7:38 am
These guys are legit. Seriously awesome southern rockers.
dj_NC
August 14th, 2012
7:44 am
these dudes rock!
Fred ™
August 14th, 2012
7:55 am
Hey Melissa, thanks a lot. I had never heard of them before but I searched them on youtube after I read your write up. I hit up “Good One” and liked their sound so I’m checking some more out.
Not a bad catch for a transplanted Yankee
Fred ™
August 14th, 2012
7:57 am
BBS; Everybody Knows She’s Mine, as reviewed by our own Melissa Ruggieri:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Be6mFKu-u_o
Richard
August 14th, 2012
7:58 am
These guys are awesome! Great concert band,
Mark Atkins
August 14th, 2012
8:03 am
I seen them in Nashville a few months back…great show…great venue and great doughnuts at the bar!
Wayne
August 14th, 2012
8:06 am
Being friends of mine I am a bit Bias. But Blackberry Smoke brings it every way. This band is the real deal. Get you some soon!!!
KPH
August 14th, 2012
8:29 am
I was turned on to them by their lighting man for the video at the Georgia Theater. I bought the video and am thrilled to see a younger band bringing back southern rock. If you a southern rock fan buy it you will love it!
mad~catfish
August 14th, 2012
8:44 am
saw these guys live at the warf in gulf shores over the 4th of july weekend. i must say i was totally amazed at there live performance. a very allman brothers, marshall tuckker, molly hatchett type feel to them. it is like listening to the hay day of the 70’s southern rock era all over again with much better musicians. i do not know if i have heard a band play live with such a clean and crisp musical talent. charlie on the guitar is amazing and would probaly give peter frampton a run for his money. i know have both of there cd’s up in smoke and whipporwhill…totally impressed…
Scott Trudeau
August 14th, 2012
8:48 am
Having known Brit & Richard Turner many years ago and watching their years of hard work finally paying off, it’s great to see them getting the recognition these outstanding musicians deserve. Can’t tell you enough what a nice down to earth group of guys this band is too. Fantastic songs and killer live performances. If you haven’t seen or heard this band… you’re missing out on one of Southern Rocks finest bands. Best of luck to you Brit, Richard, Charlie, Paul, and Brandon. Love the new album!! BBS rocks!!!
Doraville
August 14th, 2012
8:57 am
When I was a kid…my dads office was in Doraville and was next door to Studio One…one day he took me to meet Lynyrd Skynyrd…the first time i listened to Freedom Song and Good One Coming On it was as if i was 14 years old and listening to my first Skynyrd song.
These guys are the real deal.
Doraville
August 14th, 2012
8:59 am
PS…Its time for a major comeback of southern rock!
Can I get “FREEBIRD”
Clark Compound
August 14th, 2012
9:13 am
Looking forward to hearing all the reviews of the new CD from new and old fans alike. These musicians are the stepping stones to the heart and soul of real honest to goodness, foot stomping, make you smile from withing music. Way to go boys!! So excited to see the next chapter in your lives.
craig
August 14th, 2012
9:19 am
They are awesome live and this is their best album. They are young but true southern rocker that even us old guys can enjoy.
PMC
August 14th, 2012
9:27 am
I believe they also have a live DVD coming out of a performance at the Georgia Theatre, I’ve seen it on Palladia.
John
August 14th, 2012
9:31 am
Love some Southern Rock!
http://www.facebook.com/notquitedevils
Dave
August 14th, 2012
10:40 am
First saw them on a performance on Directv in March 2011. Was surprised to discover they’re a local band. Got their cd Little Piece of Dixie and listened to it over and over for weeks. Saw them @ the Georgia Theater in August 2011. They’ve got a performance in September @ the Masquerade. I’d encourage everyone who likes good southern rock to check them out.
Tammie Weathers
August 14th, 2012
11:12 am
BEST BAND EVER….Local boys make good and if your not a BBS fan you will be after listeing to the Whippoorwill… Ive been hooked since I found them on Youtube a few years ago, I have one CD in my radio at work. One in my husband Truck and I always have one in MY truck…Can not go wrong with this band….Best of Luck and hope to see many many many more CD to come…
Jeff
August 14th, 2012
11:51 am
I’m definitely a fan of these guys. Looking forward to seeing them down on the coast.
Fred ™
August 14th, 2012
12:32 pm
@Dave: I wentto the Masquerade site but I don’t see them playing. Could you give some more info please?
http://www.ticketmaster.com/venue/114734#focus_event_table
T.Spack
August 14th, 2012
12:37 pm
About the only thing these guys have in common with the Black Crowes is they both have great drummers. These guys are the REAL DEAL, those other guys,,,,,,,,,,,,,,not so sure of.
OVERHEAD GROUND
August 14th, 2012
1:00 pm
SMOKE, baby!!!!
Eva Evans
August 14th, 2012
3:50 pm
I L O V E this band, their music and how they roll~~~ Thank you BBS for Whippoorwill:) I wish you all THE BEST!! Here it comes………….
Melissa Ruggieri
August 14th, 2012
4:20 pm
Thanks, Fred! I like a good dose of Southern bang every now and then to go with my Billy Joel
Andy Lynch
August 14th, 2012
4:35 pm
Southern Boogie Blues is on the rise again.Thanx BBS.