Currently embarking on its 5th set of
dates since 2008, Chuck Ragan’s Revival
Tour hit London in full swing and in the mood
to entertain a whiskey-swilling O2 Academy packed
to the rafters with expectant (if not a little
rain-soaked) fans with its collaborative and bohemian
folk-infused sentiment. And it didn’t disappoint.
Taking shelter from the damp and chilly north
London night, the audience was ready to immerse
itself in a veritable feast of plaid, southern
drawl and harmony – and first up to the
plate was Mississippi’s Cory Branan and
his loosely strung acoustic. Branan spun yarns
of Memphis waitresses in typically hyperactive
fashion, thrashing the ol’ guitar with gusto
before taking a breather to politely thank the
attendees for its “patience and low standards.”
No need for self efficacy here, what lacked in
intricacy and accuracy he made up in passion and
heart. Quite why he expected high standards is
anyone’s guess, after all this is the nation
currently in the cultural grasp of Kim Jong-Il
lookalike who dances like MC Hammer on Ketamine.
Taking the reins seamlessly from Branan was the
award-winning Australian singer-songwriter Emily
Barker of Red Clay Halo. Already familiar with
British audiences, her unassuming stage presence
and sweet, heartfelt vocals she the was the perfect
contrast to the ruggedly beaded and gruff line-up,
captivating the crowd with intricate finger picking
and kicking bass drum, most evident in the popular
song ‘Nostalgia’. Revival Tour founder
Chuck Ragan made his first of many appearances
of the evening when he joined Barker on stage
for ‘Tuesday’, and continuing with
the inclusive and spontaneous nature of the show,
Rocky Votolato emerged onstage to add his two
cents on ‘Calendar’. The set was rife
with niggly little errors and slight chord clashes,
but they only added to the charm and authenticity
of the evening. Mumford and Sons this certainly
was not. Thank Chuck for that.
Votolato and his harmonica took the baton from
Branan with the smoothness of handover of a Jamaican
relay team, and was soon joined once again by
Ragan, complete with trilby and trademark raspy
vocals. The set was like watching two old pros
having a kickabout, with bassist Joe Ginsberg
pulling the strings in central midfield throughout.
The whisky was flowing, along with the camaraderie.
Next into the fold was Jay Malanowski of eclectic
Canadian rockers Bedouin Soundclash. Dressed in
black and in the same melancholy mood that inspired
his 2010 solo LP ‘Bright Lights and Bruises’.
Joined by Barker of ‘Walking Through a Dream’,
the previously animated crowed sensed the poignancy
of the song and settled down to soak up the heartfelt
lyrics and vulnerable harmonies. Not since I had
the pleasure of being at a City and Colour gig
have I seen a London audience so silently respectful
of a performance; you could’ve heard a button
drop to the floor from a pair of Levi’s.
Joe Ginsberg popped up again for the penultimate
song to knock in a 35-yard pearler and before
you knew it, Chuck was back in the game, clutching
a 6-string for the rousing final song ‘Life
is a Gun’.
It was then time for Hot Water Music’s Chuck
Ragan to take centre stage with his already warmed-up
weathered vocals and he wasted no time in launching
into a stirring rendition of ‘Drag My Body’.
“Meet You in the Middle” was played
with the kind of passion you’d expect, with
no consideration of the ailing Ginsberg who following
his busy evening at this point resembled a 30
year-old mule in mid June lumbered with the fattest
kid in Weston. Chuck carried on regardless, buoyed
by audience participation and with the help of
Barker, Votolato, Malinowski and Branan - the
entire troubadour ensemble. “Let it Rain”
had the crowd dancing, and fan favourite “The
Boat” had them singing, there wasn’t
an ounce of effort left behind in the dressing
room, it was a breakneck set from start to finish.
“The energy of The Revival Tour is best
thing I’ve ever been involved in”
exclaimed Ragan. A quick glance over at the now
semi-comatose Joe Ginsberg gave one the impression
that for all the good intentions in the world,
perhaps this wasn’t a shared opinion between
the two. And with that, the audience ambled away
from the sanctity of folk rock harmonies, Jack
Daniels and dusty Southern States imagery to rejoin
the reality of a wet and windy Islington evening
with nothing but an overcrowded tube journey home
to look forward to.
I’d imagine Joe Ginsberg soaked his hands
in warm water and went for a quiet lay down.
4/5
Review By Jack Turner
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