Benjamin Booker- Turner Hall Ballroom, 3/27/15

photo courtesy of Gigshots by Stephen Bloch

Benjamin Booker's laid back nature served him well as he and his trio performed to a strong crowd at Turner Hall.  Booker got on of the best rubs in the music business when he was selected as an opener for Jack White.  When I saw White last summer at the Eagles Ballroom, Booker's set stood out as one of the better support performances I saw last year.

Since his opening gig for Jack White, Booker released a fantastic self-titled record that encompasses aspects of traditional rock, New Orleans blues, and garage rock to create an innovative take on a classic sound.  His Facebook page describes his genre as "Tent City Revival," which is perhaps as good of a descriptor as any.  Booker for a young artist has a lot of musical chops.  For most of his nearly ninety minute set, we saw Booker as we'd expect to see him-- playing loud and rocking out. Up tempo, three cord, hooks engaged the crowd with the set opening, "Always Waiting." Other tracks from his album oozed with raw energy including"Chippewa" and "Wicked Water."

photo courtesy of Gigshots by Stephen Bloch

 On other tracks, Booker and his trio opted to ditch the louder rock sound for a more Americana roots vibe, with drummer Max Norton picking up a mandolin and Alex, Booker's bassist, opting for a fiddle.  These tunes while different than the tracks on the album, were very well received, and were some of my favorites of the evening.  You can tell that Booker is loving what he's doing, as his energy and exuberance radiated throughout the performance.  By the end of the set, Booker and hsi band played a rousing rendition of their single, "Violent Shiver," into the jammed out, "Have You Seen My Son."

Before taking the stage at Turner Hall, Booker and his bandmates performed an in-studio performance at 88.9 Radio Milwaukee.  In his interview Booker came across as a very humble and relaxed performer, especially touring with his first band as an artist who more or less, thanks to White, exploded onto the scene.  There is a good reason why Benjamin Booker's tour is selling out shows all over the country.  Catch this white hot artist when you can still see him in small venues.  I have a feeling there is a lot more to be heard from him as he continues to craft and refine his sound.

photo courtesy of Gigshots by Stephen Bloch

Setlist:
Always Waiting
Chippewa
Old Hearts
Happy Homes
Kids
Falling Down Blues
Slow Coming
Little Liza Jane
Shout Bamalama
Spoon Out My Eyeballs
Wicked Waters
Violent Shiver
Have You See My Son?
By the Evening