• NEWS
  • REVIEWS
  • INTERVIEWS
  • EVENTS
  • VIDEOS

Subscribe to Updates

Get the latest creative news from Blues Scene about music & art.

Talking Heads’ Jerry Harrison, Adrian Belew Announce Additional 2023 ‘Remain In Light’ Tour Dates

January 31, 2023

Bill Harden – Blues-Inspired Guitars at Harden Engineering

January 31, 2023

Exclusive: Guitarist/Singer-Songwriter Ally Venable Premieres Video for Title Track ‘Real Gone’

January 31, 2023

Barbara Blue Is a Piece of Work, A Very Talented One

January 30, 2023
Facebook Twitter Instagram
Facebook Twitter Instagram Vimeo
American Blues SceneAmerican Blues Scene
  • NEWS
  • REVIEWS
  • INTERVIEWS
  • EVENTS
  • VIDEOS
American Blues SceneAmerican Blues Scene
Home»Events»Joanne Shaw Taylor Shines at Thunder Road Show in Somerville, MA
Events

Joanne Shaw Taylor Shines at Thunder Road Show in Somerville, MA

Steve CrowleyBy Steve CrowleyJune 4, 2016Updated:April 9, 2020No Comments3 Mins Read
Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email VKontakte WhatsApp
Share
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

JST

Recently, our very own Steve Crowley had the opportunity to attend a live Joanne Shaw Taylor show at Thunder Road, Somerville, MA. Here is his story.

Last time I saw Joanne Shaw Taylor live was almost two years ago. Tonight marks the first of three times this year that I will an opportunity to experience JST live, and relatively up close.  Arriving at Thunder Road in Somerville, Massachusetts, I was treated to the last few minutes of JST and her band finishing their sound check. The establishment began to fill up around 8PM and by the time the opening act went on stage, there were about 200 people waiting for the show to begin.

The opening act was The Ben Knight Band, rising favorites out of Boston who were joined on stage by another local favorite, Barrett Anderson.  Anderson, a singer-songwriter, and guitarist, won the 2013 Boston Blues Artist of the year award. For about an hour, they had the audience hanging on every note. Lead singer and keyboardist of the Ben Knight Band, Mr. Ben Knight himself, is a blend of Little Richard and James Brown, even though he is only in his early twenties.  Songs such as “Baby Blue Eyes,” have an uplifting beat that will definitely be a fan favorite.  “Valerie” captures all things New Orleans with a mind blowing horn section that had the entire room on their feet.

The band did “Can’t Find My Way Home” justice with their own moving performance, which got the some of the loudest cheers from the audience all night. Another classic number played by the band was “Minnie the Moocher.”  This was an audience participation song and brought the house down!  If you have not seen or heard the Ben Knight Band, you should give them a listen.  Their nonstop energy and talent will leave you wanting more.

It was nearing 10:30 when Joanne Shaw Taylor and company took to the stage, but it was worth the wait!  JST kicked off with the gritty blues “Mud Honey,”  a hard-hitting, in your face song packed with power, and a perfect way to get things fired up for the evening of great music to come!  After a brief pause to change guitars, JST and her band tore into “The Dirty Truth,” another adrenaline pumping track off of The Dirty Truth.  By the end of the first two songs, JST had the place won over!  But JST was nowhere near done for the evening. Not even close!

Paying tribute to the late great Freddie King, JST masterfully covered “Going Down,” much to the audience’s approval. JST finished out the set with the title track of her 2014 album, The Dirty Truth. For the diehard fans that were there, this was the cherry on the sundae. Listening to Taylor play, there is no mistaking who her influences are.  The influence of legends such as Stevie Ray Vaughn, Albert Collins and Jimi Hendrix can be heard throughout her set list, and her guitar skills reflect favorably upon them.

Since her debut album White Sugar in 2009, Joanne Shaw Taylor has been a force to be reckoned with.  If you have not heard Joanne Shaw Taylor’s music or experienced her live in concert, go see her! You will be glad you did!

Joanne Shaw Taylor

Joanne Shaw Taylor Thunder Road
Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email WhatsApp
Previous ArticleTake a Sneak Peek at New Walter Trout Album, "ALIVE In Amsterdam"
Next Article Blues Today Music, Media & Health Summit to Discuss Musicians' Challenges
Steve Crowley

Related Posts

Talking Heads’ Jerry Harrison, Adrian Belew Announce Additional 2023 ‘Remain In Light’ Tour Dates

January 31, 2023

Voices of Mississippi Returns With Five Upcoming Performances

January 24, 2023

Next Jazz Legacy Announces Performance At City Winery NYC to Kick Off Winter Jazzfest

December 19, 2022

England’s Top 10 Blues Tracks Of 2022

December 19, 2022

Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

Advertisment
Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest
  • Home
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Interviews
  • Events
  • Videos
  • About

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.