Robert Jon & The Wreck - The Roadmender Northampton

 

This year has been very short on live music so far. Time to start putting things to rights, starting with the Northampton Roadmender tonight. I have to confess that I had very limited knowledge of 'Robert Jon and The Wreck' beforehand. Aside from some airplay on 'Planet Rock', and some strong recommendations from a couple of friends I new very little. Thankfully as is our habit, we arrived early to get a got pitch on the barriers. We were expecting a 9pm start but due to a curfew the gig would start at 8pm, finishing at 10. Just one more gig in Portsmouth after tonight on what has been a 10 date UK Tour. The latest album 'Red Moon Rising' will no doubt get a good airing on the set list. 

Warren Murrel

 

 

 

Henry James (Schneekluth)

We managed to get our desired place, stage right looking up towards Keyboard player Jake Abernathie. The venue is slowly starting to fill up. I wonder if a few have been caught out by the early start? Southern Rock has gone through something of a resurgence over the last few years. At least that's how it feels to me at least. I saw 'Lynyrd Skynyrd' some years ago and it was a fantastic night. It was a similar story seeing ZZ Top too. I really didn't know what to expect? We kick off the night with 'Pain No More' from the 2023 album 'Ride into the light'. Followed by 'Trouble' from the new album. Any doubts I might have had are very quickly blown away. These guys are a series live act and a very talented group of musicians.

Robert Jon Burrison

The band were formed in 2011 and hail from Orange County, California. Since then it seems to have been a continuous cycle of writing new music and touring. Front man 'Robert Jon Burrison' cuts a formidable figure. He would be equally at home on the 'Dutton' Ranch in Yellowstone hanging out with 'Rip' and 'Kayce'. What a voice he has too, a real stage presence. As is usual the Northampton crowd takes a while to get going. Maybe it's because we suck asks Bass player 'Warren Murrel'. Hes a pretty cool Dude with his 'Jack Nicholson' look of dark glasses and shirt open over a white vest. It works for him so don't knock it.     

Lead Guitarist Henry James (Schneekluth) has a real psychedelic vibe going on. But my word can he play the guitar with some style. They are also joined on stage by session guitarist 'Joe Coombs' , a long standing friend of the band. We are treated to three songs in total from the new album. 'Ballad of a Broken Hearted Man' which is destined to become a crowd favourite. The other track from Red Moon Rising is the title track itself. In fact the set list is a very even mixture of songs covering most albums. Apologies to Drummer 'Andrew Espantman' , I couldn't get a clear photo as he was obscured at the back of the stage. The set finishes with a rounding version of 'Cold Night' from the 'Glory Bound' album (2015)keyboards take centre stage as the gig rises to a thrilling crescendo.  

By now the crowd has worked itself up into as close to a frenzy as Northampton gets, demanding an encore. The band don't disappoint and return to the stage along with Jim.

Fittingly we end with 'Shine a Light on Me Brother' another chance to show off their guitar skills. A fantastic couple of hours of pretty much southern Rock and Blues of the highest quality.  Do you know what really impressed most? How modest they all were, nothing flash just honest to goodness delivering the music. No gratuitous 'effing and jeffing' either which can become a real bore and turn off with some bands. I can't wait to see them again! Many thanks to Warren for his kindness giving me his set list from the night.