Blackberry Smoke brings a little country and rock to the House of Blues-Orlando

Live Review

Blackberry Smoke. Photo by David Lucas.

By David Lucas, Rock At Night Orlando

Live Review: Blackberry Smoke-House of Blues, Orlando – July 16, 2022

Charlie Starr of Blackberry Smoke. Photo by David Lucas.

It has been many years since I attended a show of any kind that steered towards the sounds of country music. When Blackberry Smoke announced they were making a stop in Orlando, Florida I knew I wanted to be there.

The lights turn down, and the screams turn up from the entire room. The band starts up, and it’s a familiar song “Payback’s a Bitch”, The last song that played on the ride to Orlando. On the hour and fifteen minute drive to the show I had to listen to some Blackberry Smoke to get myself ready as I do with each show I cover. You could say that is the bonus of living over an hour from everywhere, There is plenty of time to listen to music. Straight into “Live It Down” and to me what sounded like a room favorite with all the singing along to “Good One Comin’ On”.

Blackberry Smoke. Photo by David Lucas.

The fun didn’t stop there, up next came “Waiting for the Thunder”, “Pretty Little Lie”, “You Hear Georgia” from their latest studio album, as well as “Let It Burn” and  “Hey, Delilah”. Letting “Medicate My Mind” fade down at the end with some guitar playing and as the audience listened and started getting a little quiet Charlie started everyone going again with a little “Don’t Come Around Here No More” from Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. Now it’s everyone’s turn to sing along with some ‘oh yeahs’ and into “Sleeping Dogs” and band introductions. Next up was a fantastic cover of The Georgia Satellites’ “Another Chance”.

You would think that being a dozen songs into the set that the show was about to end. You would be wrong. Blackberry Smoke believes in giving 110% and giving everyone their money’s worth. I’m talking about packing in twenty-one songs. Up next, “Sanctified Woman”, “Restless”, “The Whippoorwil”l, “Ain’t Got the Blues” and “Run Away From It All”. Now, “One Horse Town”, “Up in Smoke” and my personal favorite “Old Scarecrow”. The guy walked off the stage with the cheers behind them, but only for a moment. Coming back for the encore with “Flesh and Bone”, “Ain’t Much Left of Me” and Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Mississippi Kid” and back into another round of “Ain’t Much Left of Me”.

Check out the photo gallery below of this very memorable night:

PHOTO GALLERY

Social Media

Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | Website

David Lucas