“No Lookin’ Back” for Jacksonville’s Bonnie Blue, Colorado Run Starts Tonight
Back in the day, Bonnie Blue would have released their debut album on Capricorn vinyl. The Jacksonville-based Southern rockers certainly fit squarely into that mold, which we know served up an amalgam of rock, country, jazz, blues, and Southern stylings.
This outstanding quintet has been crafting their particular version of this brand since 201?. With the mantra “The music never stops,” these guys have been rocking all around Florida and the Southeast, and now they’re heading to Colorado for eight shows. This is their second foray into the Centennial State; they did their first tour there last year.
Bonnie Blue are: Bradley Churchman, guitar, vocals; Willis Gore, guitar, vocals; John Wilson, Hammond B3, keyboards, vocals; Adam Kenneway, bass; and Jeremy Mayr, drums. The band was originally formed by Churchman and Meyr. Kenneway came from great Jacksonville band Squeedlepuss, and Gore, formerly with Soul Gravy, also now performs with The Melody Trucks Band.
Bonnie Blue released their debut album, No Lookin’ Back, toward the end of 2017. The engineer for the tracks recorded at The Freebird Live (1, 2, 5) was Michael Parker; Alex Hayward engineered the tracks recorded at Chromatic Studios. Additional recording at Meridian Miracle Studios was engineered by Willis Gore and Walt Hope. Hope did the mixing and mastering.
We mention that because the recording is a sonic gem. You can hear every note and lyric with pristine clarity. Outstanding artist Bean Spence did the outside cover, with graphic design by Nat Bishop-Bachman.
The guitars are rockin’, the vocals are powerful, the keyboards up front and personal, and the rhythm section kills from start to finish. This album is so evocative of the great Capricorn tradition: the Allman Brothers Band, Eric Quincy Tate, Elvin Bishop, Hydra, the Marshall Tucker Band, Wet Willie and more.
From the get-go, Bonnie Blue hews to that glorious Capricorn sound, guitars jangling before Wilson’s outstanding piano comes to the fore on “Memphis Belle.” His solo is in the great barrelhouse tradition, and it’s great to hear him get the solo nod on the first track. His work throughout colors every song. Churchman’s vocals get this party started in style. The first guitar solo by For sets the tone for the rest of the album (he takes all solos except as noted).
“Trigger” starts with guitars before settling into a “Hope in a Hopeless World”-type vamp with more great guitar and electric piano. Gore’s evocative vocals dig deep here. The solo section alternates guitar and electric piano (almost a glockenspiel sound), with Churchman first and Gore second on guitars, and it closes with strong guitar interplay between Churchman and Gore.
Guitars introduce “Wagon” before it quiets almost to a ballad, with a gorgeous section featuring just ?’s vocal and electric piano. The guitar solo by ? smokes, and then there is interplay with Hammond B3 and guitar, then electric piano. Like the previous tracks, this song is beautifully and powerfully constructed.
Those who remember vinyl remember ‘wow,’ when the music starts from from a dead stop to 33 RPM (or 45). That’s how “Gypsy Woman” kicks off, a search for the powerful woman to match this strong man. The ‘wow’ turns into screaming guitar, and the interlude with bass and drums is excellent, and there is a killer guitar solo. Vocals are handed off to Wilson, and they are dynamite.
“Country Miles” features lighter fare, truly a country song with gentle guitar and lovely vocal harmonies, Churchman in the lead. Churchman’s guitar solo steps away from that genre, but the song returns with a softer section including mandolin, then one more guitar solo, Hammond B3 again providing a great backdrop.
That Capricorn sound really emerges on “No Place to Call Home,” powerful guitars and B3 again, great vocals by Gore and a fine guitar solo as well.
“Blood for Gold” mines the same territory: great vocals by Wilson, guitar and B3, guitar and piano. Finally, we get to “Shovelin’ Coal.” They take their collective foot off the gas and let the album coast home. Wilson’s piano is again front and center, and soaring harmonies highlight the track.
Can they produce this in concert? You’re damn skippy. This is a fine band both in the studio and live on stage. It’s been a little while getting to this first album, but clearly it was worth the wait.
Catch them on their Colorado run (Jamal ‘Music City’ Wright will be sitting in on drums) and back in their Southeast home. And pick up No Lookin’ Back.
https://www.facebook.com/bonniebluefla/videos/1454952647925895/
Bonnie Blue — Colorado
03/16 The Lariat | Buena Vista CO
03/17 St. Paddy’s Day at Be On Key | Denver CO
03/18 Be On Key Psychedelic Ripple | Denver CO
03/19 Be On Key Psychedelic Ripple | Denver CO
03/21 Your Mom’s House | Denver CO
03/22 Axe and the Oak Whiskey House | Colorado Springs CO
03/23 Quixote’s | Denver CO
03/24 Quixote’s | Denver CO
Bonnie Blue — Southeast
04/18 Wanee Wednesday Happy Hour | Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park | Live Oak FL
04/27 Highland Brewing Company | Asheville NC
04/28 Magnolia Roads Sessions | The 615 Hideaway Show | Mount Juliet TN
04/28 American Roots Hoedown 3 | Nashville TN
05/25 The Shed BBQ & Blues Joint | Ocean Springs MS
06/15 Fifth And Thomas | Tallahassee FL
06/29 1904 Music Hall | Jacksonville FL w/ Melody Trucks Band (Unofficial Tedeschi-Trucks After-Party)
