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In many ways, this tour could be seen as a step down for Mr White; playing
tiny venues just nine months after his other band played a triumphant set on
the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury, but what strikes you is the fact that this
is a band that wants to do things properly. They could quite easily have
sold out an arena tour on the back of the White / Benson name, but The Raconteurs have chosen to start at the bottom again, and work their way up.
Jack is obviously loving the return to small venues. Stage 2 holds
just 500 people, enough for him to see the whites of everyone's eyes if he
so wanted, and the grin didn't leave his face all night. Brendan Benson is
equally ecstatic, smiling and joking with girls on the front row, and
pulling out some ferocious lead guitar breaks.
With all the focus on White and Benson, it is easy to forget that the band
is actually a four piece, and the rhythm section of Patrick Keeler on drums,
and the über cool Jack Lawrence on bass hold down a very tight rhythm line
for the twin frontmen to work around.
But what we all really wanted to know before it started was 'what does it
sound like?' Well, White's love of all things blues obviously plays a huge
part in the sound, the basic 12 bar being a staple of what he does so well.
Add to this the grunge sensibilities of Benson, and you have a recipe for
some of the most exciting music heard in years. If you need reference
points, think Soundgarden crossed with Free, and you might get somewhere
close.
The set contained what must be the vast majority of the upcoming album, with
the highlight being the single 'Steady As She Goes'. A Bo Diddley cover, the
name of which escapes me, was a great example of an artist showing their
influences with pride. But really, highlights mean nothing when a gig is
this good.
Jack White has stated that this band is what he intends to concentrate on
for the rest of this year, and we should all be grateful, because they
are very special indeed.
Voice your opinion in the eGigs forums...
article by: Tommy Jackson
photos by: Tommy Jackson
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| published: 25/03/2006 17:44 |
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