Sturgill Simpson- Riverside Theater 6/4/16

photo courtesy of Gigshots by Stephen Bloch

If you thought that Sturgill Simpson was simply a revivalist outlaw country artist, after last night's performance at the full-to-the-gills Riverside Theater, you will have to think again.  Simpson performed a riveting two hour set of music which consisted of old material, covers, and a front-to-back performance of his latest record and masterpiece,A Sailor's Guide to Earth.

Simpson was joined on this tour with a three piece horn section which literally rocked the socks off of the Riverside Theater crowd.  To quote concert attendee, Jeremiah Weber, "Sturgill rocked my socks off.. I mean have you seen my socks?  Can't find 'em after the show and my feet are getting smelly."  All kidding aside, this was a performance the likes of which I have never seen from Simpson (who I had the pleasure of seeing both on his last stop in town at the Turner Hall Ballroom, as well as at the Eaux Claires festival last summer).

photo courtesy of Gigshots by Stephen Bloch

The bright timbres of the trumpet, trombone and saxophone Metamodern Sounds of Modern Country turned from a honky tonk standard to a juke joint rhythm and blues blow out.  Likewise, "Life of Sin's" uptempo rhythms were brought to life even further with the funk of the horns.   Laur "Little Joe" Joamets added rich layers of sounds with his superb work on slide guitar throughout the evening as well.  Often times he's as entertaining and enjoyable to watch as Simpson himself.
paired with Simpson's deep vocal range to create a rich flavor to songs, both old and new.  Older tunes like "Long White Line" off of 2014's

The true gem of the evening, however, was the second portion of the concert which focused on Simpson performing his A Sailor's Guide to Earth record, which he wrote for his young son, in it's entirety.  A Sailor's Guide to Earth contains some of Simpson's finest songwriting and performing to date and outstanding album tracks like "Keep it Between the Lines," "Brace for the Impact (Live A Little)" and "In Bloom," (an innovative cover of the Nirvana classic) were simply stellar when performed live.  Simpson needs to release a live record from this tour, as the arrangements and performances are exceptional, as we witnessed at the Riverside Theater on Saturday.  There is good reason my good friend and photographer Stephen Bloch says, "Run, don't walk, to the Sturgill Simpson show near you."  This is a tour and act you do not want to miss.

photo courtesy of Gigshots by Stephen Bloch

SET LIST  (courtesy of JSonline.com)
Sitting Here Without You
Water in a Well
Long White Line (Buford Abner cover)
When the Levee Breaks (Memphis Minnie and Kansas Joe McCoy cover)
I Never Go Around Mirrors (Lefty Frizzell cover)
Some Days
Time After All
Railroad of Sin
Living the Dream
Life of Sin
You Don't Miss Your Water (William Bell cover)
Voices
Just Let Go
A Little Light
The Promise (When in Rome cover)
Turtles (All the Way Down)
It Ain't All Flowers
From "A Sailor's Guide to Earth":
Welcome to Earth (Pollywog)
Breakers Roar
Keep It Between the Lines
Sea Stories
In Bloom (Nirvana cover)
Brace for Impact (Live a Little)
All Around You
Oh Sarah
Call to Arms