I did go back and look at my past two reviews of Striking Matches and every word written on those occasions stand tonight. There are two super talented guitar slinging singer songwriters. They are not straight country although they can do that and they’re not straight blues although they can do that too, they’re not rock but they can certainly do that too. They weave a wondrous world combining the three.
Opening with an epic 10-minute blues jam of Retrograde it sets the scene for the first half of the show that is a full-on rock n roll slide blues masterclass from Sarah Zimmerman while Justin Davis tags in and out of lead guitar seamlessly.
Catching our breath, we take it down a notch for an emotional acoustic segment especially for Justin who shares his thoughts and prayers for his grandfather who is ill at the moment. He then delivers a touching ‘Every Word’ to remind us all that every second counts in our short time on this planet. This is followed by a superb version of ‘While my guitar gently weeps’ and then one of the great love songs with ‘When the right one comes along’.
Onto the finale of ‘Cross Road Blues’, ‘Desire’ and ‘I Ain’t leaving without your love’ that further showcases their sublime guitar skills, close harmonies and song writing.
What always inspires me about Striking Matches is the pure joy they have with performing. I know every band say you’re the best audience, we love playing here, etc and it just comes across as part of the schtick. But these guys seem really genuine and you can feel the two-way love between band and audience every time they play. You cannot feel anything but uplifted after watching these guys in action. I for one can’t wait for them to return back to these shores.
Keep on country blues rockin y’all