By Terry Marland, Rock At Night Wales
Live Review: Robert Jon & the Wreck with Troy Redfern-Live Rooms-Chester, UK-September 18, 2021
The Live Room’s audience was treated to an evening of quality southern flavoured rock from both sides of the pond when Robert Jon and the Wreck, with support from slide guitar supremo Troy Redfern, delivered an evening of pure quality entertainment.
Troy Redfern
From Hertfordshire in the UK, Troy Redfern takes to the stage for only his third solo performance as he positions himself behind the kick- drum with resonator guitar in hand and delivers an enthralling set of songs from his recent albums featuring stunning slide guitar and moody vocals. The set included “ Waiting for your Love” from the recent The Fire Cosmic album, a stand out track that has the audience in the palm of his hand, as does his set closer a sweltering version of “Voodoo Chile” that was so appropriate tonight with it being the anniversary of Jimi’s passing.
On this showing it’s understandable that Redfern is being acclaimed as the “King of the Slide Guitar”.
Robert Jon and the Wreck
Early in the set Robert Jon Burrison addressed the crowd, saying how it’s their first time in Chester and it’s “taken us a long time to get here and do a proper run in the UK “. From the crowd’s response it’s more than apparent that the arrival of the band has been eagerly anticipated. Early dates on the tour have received outstanding social media feedback and future dates are selling out. Although the band evokes the classic spirit of the south (Allman’s and Lynyrd Skynyrd tees were much in evidence) their music has a freshness about it that attracts a wide spectrum of fans.
Kicking off their set with “The Devil Is Your Only Friend” the mood is set for the evening with Robert Jon centre stage and flanked by Henry James (lead guitar), Steve Maggiora, (keys), Warren Murrell (bass) and back of stage , in the shadows the excellent Andrew Espantman on drums. “Do You Remember ?” takes things up a level with Burrison and James adopting classic poses and delivering exquisite dual guitar exchanges. “Everyday” from the latest album release “Shine a Light on me Brother” features a stellar performance from Steve Maggiora on keys and has the crowd clapping and singing along as does audience favourite “Oh Miss Carolina”. The mood slows for a poignant “Death of Me” featuring one of many stunning guitar solos from Henry James .
Battison’s skill for audience engagement is evident throughout. Orchestrating the sing-along on a rousing “Old Friend” and telling them if you don’t know the chorus by the second time around, just yell. By the third chorus the audience made the song their own.
“Cold Night” is another highlight morphing into a 13 minute epic that showcased the considerable talents of all band members and again had the audience in full swing.
This may be Robert Jon and the Wreck’s first full UK tour but they are developing a reputation here as a totally authentic rock band that that delivers a barnstorming night out.
The tour continues…. 21 September Manchester Night and Day ( Sold Out – Check with venue)
22 September Nottingham The Bodega
23 September – London 100 Club (Sold Out – Check with venue)
24 September – Edinburgh Voodoo Rooms (Sold Out – Check with venue)
25 September – Aberdeen Café Drummond
26 September – Hartlepool -South Durham Steelworks Club
Latest Album – Shine a Light on Me Brother is out now
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Robert Jon & the Wreck
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