Something motivated us to drive to Nashville and back in 3 days—it was Jack White and the Raconteurs. With only a handful of shows announced by The Racontuers (none in the NY area), NY Gets Live just had to travel outside the usual territory. Playing their hometown in Nashville at "The Church," or “The Grand Ole’ Opry,” or properly known as The Ryman, it was their first appearance since 2008 with the exception of a small intimate warm up show the night before at Jack’s own Third Man Records. With two other acts opening the show—Pokey LaFarge and Jeff The Brotherhood—we knew it would be a night to keep in the memory box.
Walking into the sold out show (which sold out in minutes) at the Ryman was like taking a step back in time. Built around 1892, this venue holds true to what some call "The Church" maybe because of it's rich atmosphere, wooden/church style seating, and old fashioned decor. To me, it seemed to be the most fitting place to go and celebrate some Rock 'n Roll. In this small 2,000-person venue, the acoustics are raw; aged like fine wine, like that old Cadillac that no new model can ever really replicate. With its mostly wooden interior, tall ceilings and half-oval seating layout, it’s a unique sounding room for any of you acoustics-nerds to add to your bucket list of venues to experience a show in.
The first act, Pokey Lafarge, added to this sense of "Old Fashioned". He himself is an Early American Music Traditionalist, right down to his stage presence. Pokey and his band, The South City Three, are a throwback to rag time, bluegrass and old country. Complete with Harmonica, stand-up bass, hair glue, suspenders and retro blue collar suites, these guys set the tone for feeling like we were somewhere back in the 1930's. I could sense that this act was there was on purpose to give the audience this feeling and I remember thinking it to be clever.
Jeff The Brotherhood was up next and both guys are actually brothers! Jake and Jamin Orrall, also from Nashville, are a rock duo reminiscent of the Black Keys or The White Stripes. If their name sounds familiar, it is because we recently covered them at another show, but this performance was in a much more fitting atmosphere then before. (You might want to get used to their name, because this is a band that is only gaining momentum, and they have an upcoming single to be released on Jack’s Third Mad Records label along with Pokey Lafarge). The Brothers had a twin look going on with long hair, t-shirt and jeans, mixed with the sound of loud-fuzz guitar and punchy drums—a fresh and almost a complete contrast to what Pokey had to offer. They are an obvious nod to Jack White’s now departed duo, which paved the way for many rock-duo's success today, yet undeniably giving it their own touch -This, I thought, was also a clever tribute to tonight’s theme.
I was magnetically drawn to Jamin Orrall’s drumming, his momentum and drive as a drummer hooks you in and doesn't let you go. I kept focused on it for most of their set. His Brother Jake seemed to watch over his shoulder for the most part and rode his groove like a surfer on like a wave, holding his own adding color and dance to the music. He walked into the crowd during the set, as he tends to do regardless of the venue, strapped with a signature clear-bodied electric guitar.
When Brotherhood had finished and left the stage, you could feel the buzz of anticipation in the air. The Raconteurs appeared soon after and opened with the song "Consoler Of The Lonely," a fitting opener with Brendan Benson and Jack White pounding out twin guitar riffs through the lyrics expressing boredom and self decay, a woolly message to the audience expressing their desire return to the stage for the first time since 2008. It only took one signature guitar string-bend from Jack White to cause a crowd eruption; right then it was the point of full throttle. For anybody who hasn’t seen Jack on stage before, he has a stage presence that is unique and magnetic at the same time, and yet the band has such great chemistry.
Jack was like a kid in the candy store with The Racontuers; something I sense he couldn't achieve when he played with Meg White, who served more as a simple compliment to his style. The Raconteurs are a fuller, colossal rock sound with keys, bass, drums, two guitars and vocals; it seemed like we were watching Jack White after he had left the attic and his "sister" (i.e. The White Stripes) to go outside and play with the big kids. He moves around the stage and seems to motivate the rest of the band. Though, as Brendan and the rest of the band's stage demeanor is tame opposed to Jack's, Brendan's voice is dominant and his guitar sound is equally as powerful to Jack's "crunch". The two together are the main ingredients in the recipe for the sound of The Raconteurs. Their music is a style of Classic Rock with a twist of heavy guitar riffs and snarly dual vocals cleverly orchestrated, with a punk rock attitude. Add to that, a punchy/loose rhythm section with Jack Lawrence and Pat Keeler, along with Dean Fertita's (Queens Of The Stone Age, The Dead Weather) dark and spooky touch on the keys, to create more "vibe" to the music. They are indeed a dynamically rich band and their performance was top-notch.
Highlights in the set included a favorite off of their first album "Level," which hearing live, features a louder, heavier guitar sound than on record. “Broken Boy Soldier,” which was also played with more intensity then on the album. Midway through the set, a horn section came out for “Many Shades of Black” followed by "The Switch and The Spur". Dropping down to close out the first set was the slower tempo "Blue Veins". They came out for the second set with the fast pace, quick singing song “Salute Your Solution” followed by the more mainstream hit "Steady As She Goes."
The concert felt like it was over in a short amount of time, as everybody in the audience seemed to want them to play through the whole night. With the taste of beer and whiskey throughout the night, it seemed to come quick when Brendan said “this is going to be our last one, OK?” and the band began to play “Carolina Drama” to close out a spectacular show.
I may have seen a few dozen great concerts in my day, but none would ever match the atmosphere I experienced on this night at The Ryman.
-Written by RTM.
Contributed to by JKS.
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(an original photograph by R.M.)
(an original photograph by R.M.)
