Shiflett’ s back catalogue is mainly acoustic led Americana but tonight its full electric with the band which gives his solo output a fresh and different perspective. It’s also provides an indication of the change in direction for his forthcoming new record out in June. Certainly, the first two tracks released ‘This Ol World’ and ‘Welcome to your first heartache’, the latter being a song written for his son warning him about the perils of a first love, back this up. Sadly, the song has lost its message after Chris tells us his son did the dumping of his first girlfriend….and by text.
The set is a mixture of his last album the excellent ‘West Coast Town’ and the new one ‘Hard Lessons’ with a cover of a less well known ‘Stones’ tune ‘Star Star’ thrown in for good measure. The band are tight and there’s room for an extended jam with fellow guitarist Brian Whelan trading licks bringing ‘The Hardest Lesson’ to a blistering crescendo. Highlights for me were probably ‘Goodnight Little Rock’ and set closer ‘West Coast Town’.
There is much joy in the crowd and the band are clearly having a great time and you feel that this is the stage that Shiflett feels most at home on. Down and dirty and small and sweaty, the new heavier tracks are perfect in this setting. Let the Foos pay the bills and allow Chris to develop his own career. As my group commented it was nice that he does not trade on the ‘Foos’ brand and charge an arm and a leg.
Tonight was the perfect kick start of back home gigs after my US trip and The Arsenal won too.
Till the next time keep on rockin y’all
PS apologies for the poor quality photos