photo by Brandt Vicknair 03/23/19
Saturday night Anders Osborne took the audience at the Broadberry on a tour through his 30-plus year career, much to the delight of the fans. The show was billed as a solo acoustic show, which, for some artists might indicate a quiet, intimate evening of mellow music. Not this night, not this artist. Osborne came out swinging for the fences, kicking the evening off with a powerful version of “47.” Rocking back and forth like a man possessed he grabbed the crowd by the throat and shook them like a rag doll. His guitar tone was superb and his voice was in fine shape and it was clear from the jump that Anders was taking no prisoners.
Saturday night Anders Osborne took the audience at the Broadberry on a tour through his 30-plus year career, much to the delight of the fans. The show was billed as a solo acoustic show, which, for some artists might indicate a quiet, intimate evening of mellow music. Not this night, not this artist. Osborne came out swinging for the fences, kicking the evening off with a powerful version of “47.” Rocking back and forth like a man possessed he grabbed the crowd by the throat and shook them like a rag doll. His guitar tone was superb and his voice was in fine shape and it was clear from the jump that Anders was taking no prisoners.
He followed with the crowd pleasing “Ash Wednesday Blues.” He introduced the song saying he had been to Key West, which is a “weird idea for a sober man, but I like weird ideas.” Throughout the night he gave some personal history, detailing where the songs were recorded and the band members on each track. On this spring night he brought enough energy he could have powered Richmond’s electrical grid single-handed.
Anders Osborne is the reason why we can’t dispose of cliché and hyperbole. In his case all the descriptive excess (at least the good stuff) is true. Saturday night he strode the stage like a human dynamo throwing off sparks, on the verge of overload. He plays with an intensity that is riveting to watch. He inhabits each song as if he balances his emotional checkbook through his performance. His work ethic is impressive as well, with a new album coming out this year (Buddha and the Blues) and next years’ album already in the works. Osborne performing solo puts the spotlight on his amazing fretwork and his mastery of tone and the audience ate it up.
One of Osborne’s gifts is the ability to be dead honest in his song writing. He finds a freedom in that honesty that a lesser writer might find daunting. His performance was raw and unchained from convention, yet tethered to his own truth. The audience was primed for Osborne and rewarded him with a standing ovation. Seeing Osborne live is the best way to experience his prodigious talent and guarantee yourself a night well spent.
The opening act, Seth Stainback was new to me and very good. Stainback played a dozen or so songs, accompanied by Ben Lassiter on Dobro. Stainback’s guitar skills were almost as impressive as his songwriting, and he played a crowd pleasing set of country-tinged folk that brought the ticket holders to their feet.
Anders Osborne is the reason why we can’t dispose of cliché and hyperbole. In his case all the descriptive excess (at least the good stuff) is true. Saturday night he strode the stage like a human dynamo throwing off sparks, on the verge of overload. He plays with an intensity that is riveting to watch. He inhabits each song as if he balances his emotional checkbook through his performance. His work ethic is impressive as well, with a new album coming out this year (Buddha and the Blues) and next years’ album already in the works. Osborne performing solo puts the spotlight on his amazing fretwork and his mastery of tone and the audience ate it up.
One of Osborne’s gifts is the ability to be dead honest in his song writing. He finds a freedom in that honesty that a lesser writer might find daunting. His performance was raw and unchained from convention, yet tethered to his own truth. The audience was primed for Osborne and rewarded him with a standing ovation. Seeing Osborne live is the best way to experience his prodigious talent and guarantee yourself a night well spent.
The opening act, Seth Stainback was new to me and very good. Stainback played a dozen or so songs, accompanied by Ben Lassiter on Dobro. Stainback’s guitar skills were almost as impressive as his songwriting, and he played a crowd pleasing set of country-tinged folk that brought the ticket holders to their feet.
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