Dec 3rd...
Did I say Peter was getting "raucous"? What a flippin' understatement that was; "rampant" would be more appropriate. Last night, to a home crowd, he let lose that awesome voice of his, way beyond the "silver-throated" screamers of the 1970s, Peter is farther down the periodic table, more toward iridium; and he's not half bad on the ol' Telecaster either, in his new power-trio, flanked by drummer Phil Martini and bassist Dave Page.
The night kicked off with a couple of young, local bands, the first being Black Atom Movement, an "atom-smashing" pair very much in the Royal Blood mould; very loud and very energetic. Next up were a young 5-piece, and I hope I've caught their name right; Fletcher Jackson Band; bass, drums, keys, lead guitar & rhythm/vocalist; lean toward a Blackberry Smoke, Southern Blues style with a catching Dylan-esque voice - worth checking out further (as are Black Atom lads for those who like it HEAVY).
So, the main man, what were we in for? It was a good mid-week house at The Cluny though not as full as I'd expect for the local boy; maybe it was the weather or maybe folk didn't get the message that Peter was out this time to Rock. The previous solo outing had been an acoustic affair over at Think Tank, but tonight, it wasn't a night for the Tanfield Troubadour, this was a night for music "with stones in it", as the late Terry Pratchett would say.
The first three numbers were a rocking combination that pined the ears back before Peter slipped back a gear for Chasing A Ghost from his acoustic album, though like the rest of the numbers plundered from this in the set, it was "rocked-up" and sat in nicely with the powerful new numbers like Slave, from the upcoming Rise Above album. That was mainly the tone for the set, no covers and no leaning back on The Union back-catalogue, this was Peter Shoulder on his own two feet, though a couple of Winterville songs sneaked in and were very well received.
Great to see one of the best voices to come out the North east in a generation back out on stage and giving full reign, and a really good showing for a new power-trio, first time out and getting in it's stride. Whets the appetite for more shows next year when the full album comes out.
* the album, Rise Above comes out early next year, but available on the tour is a 4-track sampler EP; worth picking up.
When life gives you lemons; don't make lemonade.
Give back the lemons. Why were the lemons free? What's wrong with the lemons?
Do Not trust the lemons...
