PSA: This review will contain spoilers for the upcoming Sturgill Simpson show at the Black Cat.
tldr version: Sturgill continues to do what he wants, when he wants, where he wants. If you don't care for the new album or his new sound, sell your tickets now. If you looked at the set list and are expecting even the inkling of a country show, sell your tickets now. This tour is 111% a rock and roll show, and it was awesome! Ear plugs are for the weak, but The Brand was quite pleased that I recommended she bring a pair with her.
It's also a charity show, and all the proceeds including the merch, go to the Special Forces Foundation for fallen soldiers, so there's that.
He and the band play the entire new Sound and Fury southern rock inspired album all the way through, in order, to start the show so give that a listen prior. I would even recommend watching the Netflix Anime release that came out with the new album - anime is not my thing, and at parts it seemed unnecessarily violent and sexist, but there's a nice female empowerment turn and the credits help explain some plot holes, which apparently is par for the course when it comes to anime (or so I was told). I doubt I watch it again, but it did help put all the story in the lyrics of the new album together.
Knowing that he shocked a few people with his rock opening, he tried to play a song "for the ladies" out of order and failed miserably, not once, but twice. That was of course, The Promise and he apologized and said "I guess you'll have to get married again" which was no doubt directed at me and The Brand as it was our anniversary and The Promise was our first dance. Clever bastard, that Sturgill.
So he decided to get back on script and play the set list as it was predetermined, with a mix of songs from High Top, Metamodern and Sailor's Guide, with a few covers mixed in (Willie Nelson being the most recognizable). However, ALL of these songs were played with his new rock sound - there wasn't a lick of country, not even an acoustic guitar. I absolutely loved it and The Brand did not (I'll share her thoughts later). They jammed a lot and just rolled into the next song often, which was fine with me.
Nearing the two hour mark, they went back and did The Promise, again for the ladies, but this time getting it right, but also making it a new version (I think he called it a swing version or something like that) which was nice, and then hit the highlight for me which was ripping through Call to Arms, which was apropos given the charity, but he infused T-Rex's The Motivator into it, and it just shredded. Hard to leave after that and not be super pumped up!
As I mentioned it was awesome for me, but The Brand, being of the country ilk, did not. Her thoughts: (1) why didn't he sing more? He has a great voice. (2) was it so loud because the venue is so small? (3) Miles was looking super cute (4) That version of The Promise was the best she's ever heard, but wished he had played the rest of his older songs like they are on the albums.
Enjoy Monday!
