Review- Shooter Jennings Black Ribbons Live
(Note: This is a COUNTRY music website. But because we’ve followed Shooter’s transition from country to rock, because his father is the Flying W, and because he was playing at the Roger Alan Wade show I was at, I decided to write a review. No bellyaching; we will resume our regular countrified programming shortly.)
When I listened to Shooter’s new rock album Black Ribbons, I listened cover to cover as the artist intended, especially since it was a concept album. As I said in my review, the album had decent songs, but the concept had gotten in the way and ostensibly buried them. Since I wrote that review and have listened to the album more and more, those “decent” songs became good. They grew on me. But I had to check re-evaluating the album because if I went back and listened to it cover to cover again, the same problems (Stephen King’s commentaries, pretentious and immature songs, over-saturation of electronica) were still there.
But when I saw Shooter live at the musINK Festival in Dallas, the live setup naturally weeded out some of the over-electronica of the album, and with the exception of the very first “Will O The Wisp” communique that started the concert, the set was sans Stephen King. What was left was a genuine, engaging rock show that deserves much praise and little criticism.
The show started with the Black Ribbons album progression almost verbatim: “Wake Up,” “Triskadekaphobia,” “Don’t Feed The Animals.” During the Black Ribbons portion Shooter would switch between a two-keyboard bay and a guitar. When he backed up from the keys and grabbed a Gibson Flying V guitar to hit the power rift on “Wake Up,” it was like a punch in the face, and questions about the direction of Shooter’s music melted away to the ecstatic sense that grabs you when you’re watching a live performance of good rock n’ roll played balls out.
After the first few songs Shooter started skipping around the Black Ribbons album, ending up at the song “When The Radio Goes Dead,” written by bass player Ted Russell Kamp. This was really one of the standout moments of the night as the band took this song to the hilt.
The whole concert, Shooter came across with a slight unappealing cockiness, but the energy of the band always felt fairly pure. I am a country writer, and I am used to less of a “rock star” attitude and more of the “aw-shucks” approach to stage energy, but when Shooter and guitar player John Schreffler started jumping around and hair started flailing, the energy felt genuine, which is not always the case at a rock show. On a few occasions the band outright jammed, and by that I mean taking the song many bars past its original ending and hanging on cords just to feel the music for a bit longer. You felt they were truly enjoying themselves, and that feeling was infectious with the crowd.
Even Shooter critics will give you that his band has always been a strong suit. The .357’s, now known as “Hierophant,” did not disappoint, but neither did Shooter, solely looking at his performance as a musician. He handled the keys and the guitar with above-average adeptness for a frontman, though one of the annoyances of the night was a roadie that would come in between almost every song to adjust the keyboards, microphone, and guitar situation while Shooter stood toward the back of the stage sipping from a red cup. Sure, an extra set of hands can’t be avoided at times, but it seemed a little excessive and made Shooter look like he was too cool for school to tote his own gear.
Shooter finished up with four numbers from his country albums, including another Ted Russell penned number “Steady at the Wheel,” as well as his hit “4th of July.” My favorite song of the set was “Manifesto #1” from his first album Put the O Back in Country. The best part about Shooter, and when his talent becomes something that can be appreciated universally is when he tilts his head back, squints his eyes, and sings with soul unmatched, straight from the heart. Sometimes his new music facilitates this, but sometimes it doesn’t. As Shooter’s career has progressed, it seems he’s moved away from this slowly but surely for a more straightforward rock sound, but his soulful singing is his trait that can transcend songwriting, concepts, or guitar playing or banter on genres.
Shooter had great balance in his set. He introduced the new material through the more accessible songs that work well live, and then gave the country contingent their red meat. At no point did the set have a lapse in energy, or did any of the material feel out of place. When he started playing his older country-ish tunes, it didn’t feel like a different band; it all melted together well, partly because there wasn’t much country in what he was doing. Mixing music styles is a hard tightrope to walk, and Shooter did it just about perfectly.
Unfortunately though, by the time Shooter got to the country stuff, the cowboy hats drifting through the crowd had located the exit. You have to appreciate that some Shooter fans don’t live on message boards and blogs. Maybe they’ve only heard his first one or two albums. I came there trying to keep an open mind, and generally knowing what to expect. If you were coming to see Waylon’s son, buyer’s remorse would be a big part of your Shooter concert experience, and watching the crowd, it did thin out as the concert progressed.
If I wrote this review solely from a country music perspective, it would have a completely different mood. Even the Shooter fans who like the new direction need to understand this, and why there is general disgruntlement and confusion coming from the country crowd. There was never really any clear explanation given to them. They gave their heart to Shooter’s music, and Shooter broke it. When I first began reporting that Shooter was “leaving his country roots behind” (as articulated by his management), some came hear attacking me, saying that Shooter would never do such a thing. I’m not saying this from the pride of being right, but empathy from these country fans who feel misled or let down.
Again, I am a country writer, and this was a rock show. I do listen to other types of music, but I reserve my precious few music dollars for the shows in my country sphere. But if Shooter comes back through town, I will be attending again.
I really hope this is the end of my Shooter Jennings coverage. Unless he does the whole “going back to my roots” bit in a few years, it’s just not germane to what I cover. But I’m very glad that I can dot the period on a positive note, and I’m not having to swallow hard and cross my fingers to do so. Shooter seemed genuinely happy with the new direction of his music. And though I will never be able to get behind elements of his new album, I can truly say his live performance was top notch.
Grade it an A.
wayne
April 12, 2010 @ 9:52 am
man we were channel surfing sat afternoon and caught a cmt crossroads from 09 and witnessed shooter and jamie johnson butcher the hell out of waylons “outlaw bit” it was fuckin’ horrible…
The Triggerman
April 12, 2010 @ 10:33 am
That Crossroads with Jamey was pretty much the last thing Shooter did before he made his move to rock. That is why I was so surprised that mainstream country media including CMT itself was so mum on the subject. They paraded that episode into the ground. My guess is at that point Shooter had already decided to go in a different direction, and his heart wasn’t in it. He was probably already writing the Black Ribbons material.
Never saw the episode in full, just snippets. I rarely can get into that overproduced CMT crap. My guess is anyone would look like a doucher in that context.
Burch
April 12, 2010 @ 12:04 pm
Hmmm. His live show might suit me a whole lot more than this latest album. The electronic stuff didn’t click with me on the few songs I heard so the live stuff might come off a lot better to me. And after getting some touring with this rock guise under his belt it might lead him to write stronger stuff in the studio in the future. That’s speculative of course but it sounds like he’s got something to work with.
The Triggerman
April 12, 2010 @ 12:52 pm
I thought he wrote some decent songs, even when I heard them on the album. You had to listen past the electronica at times, and between the conceptual nonsense, and that’s why they were buried. But I wouldn’t blame anyone if they don’t hear good songs at all, because you have to go digging to find them, and even then, they are in the eye of the beholder. In my opinion live the soul of the songs were a lot more evident, not weighted down by all the other distractions the album entailed.
AJ
April 12, 2010 @ 3:05 pm
A very fair post Triggerman, Black Ribbons is one of the few NEW…ROCK albums I’ve listened to! If it were’nt for the “STUFF” he previously released under the guise of “country music”, and he wasn’t Waylons son, I probably would not have held out great expectations. This album blew me outta the saddle!, and I hope it is the music Shooter wants to do, cause I likes it!
Gary
September 27, 2010 @ 5:14 pm
I have to agree with AJ. I love the new album! Most fans of country music (that I know) became such in the early 90’s when rock got to glam and, country got harder thanks to Hank Williams, Jr. and Garth brooks. I was raised on Guns and Roses, Ozzy and ,Metallica thanks to my older brothers. At the same time my parents played Loretta Lynn, Waylon and Conway Twitty. I soaked it all in and took what I liked from both sides.
Growing up we went to a lot of live country shows and 9 times out of 10 those live shows always had a rock edge to them. When given free range on stage most country artists will do things not allowed on those polished music row albums. You have to read Waylons autobiography to know that Shooter loves heavy metal. You also have to take into account Waylons number one message “you should always have the opportunity to do things your way”, thats what the meaning is behind “are you sure Hank done it this way” People get to stardom by different means.
So Shooter made a rock/electronica/psychedelic album. Why is this such a surprise? If Waylon had stuck to the Status Quo we would have never had the brilliant music from the late 70’s call it “Outlaw” if you will. I call it good music. I have seen Shooter twice from his country persona and his new rock persona. I don’t let myself get caught up in those labels to me if it’s good it’s good. I was blown away both times and felt as if I should have paid more for the tickets. Ive seen so many acts that don’t sound 1/4 as good and they had top 40 albums. The biggest crime against Shooter is that more people have’nt heard his music and maybe never will. He’s one of the best around for what he does and I’ll stand on Steve Earles coffee table and say that to even him.
I’ve met Shooter and the boys after both shows and they were gracious, friendly and very chatty. Shooter even called my wife who could’nt make the show just to say hello and that he hopes she can come next time. So I don’t see where this idea of cockieness comes from. Having a guitar tech onstage to help with the breaks is normal to me. After banging out a song and straining your voice to give everything, don’t you deserve a respite to come back center for your next song. I sure would’nt want to hear an artist who does’nt take time to recover between songs. Half way threw the set his voice and energy would be shot.
I have read so many blogs and reviews since Black Ribbons came out and I just can’t believe the audacity of some people. Shooter does’nt owe it to anybody to do what you or I thinks he should do. If you don’t like the record take it back to the store and trade it in for something more your taste or sell it on e-bay. I think that it takes guts to do what you wanna do. So when Garth did the whole Chris Gaines thing he fucked up but he had the courage to do it. It’s funny how when an artist takes a bold step and it’s popular it’s genius and awe inspiring. But when the other goes down he “cheated his fans”. Example Johnny Cash’s american albums. I loved it, it made me an eternal Cash fan. My father who bought his first records did’nt feel the same. So one door closes and another door opens. Thats why it’s called art.
Don
April 12, 2010 @ 4:24 pm
An A! nice- I’m glad you had a good time,great review.Being a fan of Shooter like you said its good to end the whole Shooter deal on a positive note.
Jahshie P
April 12, 2010 @ 5:37 pm
Nice. This gets me excited to see him in 2 weeks, thanks Trig. Good write up.
David Lee is a direct descendant of a village whore
April 12, 2010 @ 10:15 pm
Shooter Jennings has talent … theres no doubt about it.
But as a music fan I always look at the whole package and I think the “too big for his britches ” perspective best describes him and his band . So, for me in order to get behind a band it has to be 100% and I aint that with Shooter. He seems too cool for school. That vibe is everything that I am against.
Greg
April 13, 2010 @ 4:23 am
Id rather listen to his dad on an old 8 track…
The Triggerman
April 13, 2010 @ 8:04 am
I’d rather listen to his dad on vinyl, but a good recording will rarely replace a good live show.
I agree with you David, the one thing that irked me all night during the concert was a slightly cocky attitude coming from Shooter. Unfortunately I think the rock star fan wants that from their rock stars, and that’s why they get it.
MR.BANDANA
April 14, 2010 @ 1:27 am
I MIGHT GO SEE HIM IN A COUPLE WEEKS AND FORM MY OPINION..THESE LONG REVIEWS WEAR MY BRAIN OUT..I THINK I’M GETTING AN ATTENTION DISORDER..LOL..
David Lee is right
April 14, 2010 @ 6:42 pm
I know what you mean bandana how the hell you been doing?