So nearly twenty years since Fruit Bats released one of my favourite albums ‘Mouthfuls’, nine since I saw them for the first time and five years since the last time, Eric D Johnson brings the show back top London at the iconic Bush Hall.
Its night two of four gigs this week for me and the evening gets off to a bit of a downer when Eric comes on stage solo and explains that half of his band will not be appearing tonight as they have sadly been eaten by sharks. It’s a sad start but for those that have children disappointment can quickly disappear if you give them something shiny and so this setback is soon forgotten as he goes straight into ‘Baby Bluebird’ which sets the scene for the whole night. The Bachman voice is something to behold live and is never really captured fully on record and so it proves tonight with a crystal clear sound that at its highest pitch has the chandeliers dancing in this old venue.
After a few solo tracks, whats left of the band, bass and keys, come and join him for a few songs with the missing in action members replaced by drum loops on an iPhone. To be fair I once saw Jason Faulkner do a complete set with just him and an iPhone of backing tracks stepping in for his band. iPhone quickly dispatched we are treated to a wonderful spread of tunes from across the back catalogue and certainly some not often heard songs too which is great.
Bachmann is a comfortable between song raconteur with a hint of British sarcasm thrown in especially when lamenting the stopping of production of his favourite Marks and Spencer sandwich, the mature cheddar and celery on malted brown bread. Clearly a victim of Brexit he suggests.
In respect of Bachmann’s town I sported my Lollapalooza 08 t-shirt which features the flag of Chicago on the front which he spots and comments on. (Ed’s note. Look out for it at the Bonny Light Horseman show in Feb, Eric where I will wear it again).
Back to the show and it’s just perfect. The songs are great, his voice is great and band are great and the stripped down format works very well. Some highlights for me were ‘My Sweet Midwest’ and ‘A Lingering Love’ but I could have picked half a dozen outstanding tracks.
The band re-join for the start of the encore and then its request time. Sadly no room for ‘Free bird’ but we will keep an eye out for ‘Tuesday’s Gone’ next time he is over. Of course the shows ends with a rambunctious version of ‘When you love somebody’ that cannot stop the whole crowd leaving with broad grins across our faces.
Despite the band issue arguably the best I have seen them and his voice has never sounded so good.
Keep on power poppin, indie rockin’ y’all.