Big thanks to Frank De Blase at the Rochester City Newspaper for coming out to the show this past Saturday. Be sure to check out Frank's website at www.frankdeblase.com
February 14, 2011 at 10:15am
CONCERT REVIEW: Rosie Flores, Son of the Sun, Walri
Rosie Flores righteously rocked with a new set of Riveters Thursday night, making the scene at Abilene. On the bass and drums were Big Apple session cats, well versed in deciphering the dots, but who knew enough to boogie outside the box whenever the moment felt right. Not that Flores had anything to prove, but there were a few folks in town who hadn't seen her play the guitar. Her voice is sweet and even a bit girlish, but her guitar playing is lowdown, slick, and mean. Brandishing a blue Tele with a Bigsby from her Screamin' Siren days, Flores tore the packed joint a new asshole with her revved-up rockabilly peppered with blues and honky-tonk detours. Just wait'll she comes back.
Bands tend to grow on me slowly. Sure, I can tell pretty quick if it's what I like or not, but the jury generally stays out until I've seen them a few times or spun their record. I caught buffalo's Son of the Sun Saturday night as the band served up an amazing set at the Lovin' Cup. It's about as love at first sight as I've gotten since I met my wife. With an utterly amazing loud and full, yet discernable mix on stage, the band seethed rock intensity, with pop power and epic atmosphere. The relationship between instruments and the way each attached itself to the arrangements caught and sent me from several directions. It's the type of music that two people can interpret in their own way, and still both be right. Son of the Sun is simply amazing.
And while we're throwing the amazings around, let me pull on your coat for a minute about Walri, which closed the evening. Walri's studio output is known for its lush layers, particularly in the vocal department (think Gregorian chant, think Beach Boys, think drugs). So when the band sings live the spaces between the drastically fewer voices add an edge and attitude to the band's serenity and soul. In other words, Walri is a good deal edgier as a live band. It's still Walri, and it's still relatively lush, but it's got a kick to it.
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