Broadberry Oct. 9, 2021
I've had the fortune to be at most of Suggesting Rhythm's shows over the last six years. Everyone has their own opinion on the "Best Show" whether it was Stevestock II or November 17, 2018 at the Canal Club, or for my money, it was the Strangeways show this summer. Saturday's Broadberry performance, however, eclipsed them all with ease!
The energy was palpable leading up to showtime with the excitement of having a dear friend back after a long hiatus as well as being the first indoor show this year.
The guys got situated and then cheers erupted when Steve hit the long organ note signalling 'Viola Lee Blues' to start. Adam delivered the first familiar riff and we were off. Viola Lee was long and gnarly and came off with such energy and vigor I was already thinking that song was the highlight of the night already. The band was just getting started though.
Always spacey and spectacular lately, 'Feel Like a Stranger' came next and did not let the intensity drop at all. One of my favorite early hot dance numbers, 'Chinatown Shuffle' was third in the lineup and also the 3rd time it's been on SR's setlist I believe. I still regret missing the breakout at the Canal Club in November 2019 but this version… smoking!
Steve jumped in the singer's seat next and the band went into 'Just a Little Light' where, once again, the jamming took over and the intensity continued to rise. The whole band seemed to be riding a wave of energy and emotion, coming together as a single entity and feeding the crowd. It didn't stop there of course as Dave took back the mic to depict the demise of 'Stagger Lee'. This song isn't my favorite but again this band served up a spicy version that I couldn't resist replaying in the car more than once.
'Friend of the Devil' followed in an attempt to slow things down some but a pair of Drudge solos definitely resisted that notion and only served to ramp the wave even higher before it finally crested with a tidal wave of 'New Minglewood Blues' to close out one of the best sets I've ever heard Suggesting Rhythm play.
Set two was in a prime spot to be a let down after so much emotion and energy dominated the first set. Instead, it somehow got better with 'Jack Straw' leading the pack. What began as a nice slow burn became a raging fire by the climactic ending lyrics and crowd joining in with Dave's emphatic delivery. Again, right out of the gate the guys set a tone and pace that they unbelievably matched all night. The 60's Dead 'Alligator' was up after introductions which lead into 'Eyes of the World'.
I don't really know how to express in a written blog the next musical sequence. In simplest terms, it was Eyes of the World > Drums > Space > Dark Star > Dear Prudence but it was so much more. To be able to convey the living magic from that night into words is a feat I'm not capable of. Whether it was just being indoors after so long or the sheer intensity of the evening, Ed's bass vibrated the walls like never before and the cymbals were extra crisp. The Burton/ Rothman duo were exquisitely distinguishable and well paired with the spacey weavings of Drudge, Oakley, and Barnard throughout the entire sequence of jams and timely transitions culminating to an all time epic 'Dear Prudence'.
Because all that wasn't enough, the band pushed forward into 'The Greatest Story Ever Told' and a 'Bird Song' that melted everyone's face and transitioned its way into a perfect closer for such an emotional night, Mr. Steve Barnard singing 'Blow Away'.
Tight against curfew they didn't waste much time coming back for the encore 'I Shall be Released'. Of course after such an emotional night the band once again had me in tears for the encore as applause rained down on what is now once again the best show Suggesting Rhythm has ever played in my opinion.
The hardest part is picking out highlights from a highlight but I'll say 'Chinatown Shuffle' and Viola in the first set. The 'Jack Straw' the span of Eyes to Prudence in the 2nd set. The crisp sounds of the drums and Bray's bass rumbling inside was super awesome to hear too!
This show is definitely worth the download! CLICK HERE TO LISTEN
