He’s been compared to the likes of Joe Louis, Wilson Pickett, Smokin’ Joe Frazier, and Howlin’ Wolf, amongst other legends of the American blues. Only with one definite difference- a love for madness and mayhem that sets his shows and albums apart from many of the greats, who may match in terms of lyrical and musical prowess, but can’t quite be considered equals when it comes to frenetic performance.
Indeed, to say Barrence Whitfield is a hero of the genre, a talent that’s impossible to countenance even in the most bourbon-soaked haze, would be a huge understatement. As such there’s an understandable level of hype surrounding the new album from the big man and his inimitable band, The Savages, that’s only ever reserved for decade-spanning dons that have forgotten more about the industry, touring, life, loss, love and what real rhythm and blues means than most people can hope to learn in a lifetime.
Under A Savage Sky , the record in question, lands on 21st August, and is both typical Barrence Whitfield and The Savages stuff, whilst also marking something of a movement away from the kind of fare that dominated 2013’s Dig Thy Savage Soul (their previous long form effort). Of course those powerhouse vocals are still there, prouder than ever, as is the energy that has come to be something of a calling card for this particular outfit since they first began turning venus into sweat-pits during the 1970s. Yet there’s something else here, too.
As Savages guitarist Peter Greenberg puts it, the band wanted to try and deliver something that was ‘harder and garagier’ than anything that had come before it. They certainly achieved the goal, too, with this latest LP containing enough grit, muscle, incessant and addictive pacing to rival any of their contemporaries, in any genre known to man. Like a fine blue cheese, then, they seem to not only have got better, but also stronger with age, and there can definitely be no complaints about that.
In addition to the new record, Barrence and his Savages will be embarking on a full UK tour come autumn, once the festival hype machine has subsided and the real artists are allowed to show their talent properly. Kicking off on 1st October with a show at Southend’s The Railway Hotel, from there they touch down in towns and cities including Norwich, Edinburgh, Manchester, Leeds, Newcastle, Guildford, London, Exeter and Bristol, taking in the length of England and Scotland (well, almost) on another rollercoaster ride that’s bound to make for some very special memories for those in attendance. Full listings below, tickets on sale now.
Barrence Whitfield and The Savages – UK Dates – October 2015
01/10/15 Southend The Railway Hotel
02/10/15 Norwich Waterfront
03/10/15 Edinburgh Electric Circus
04/10/15 Manchester Ruby Lounge
06/10/15 Leeds Brudenell Social Club
07/10/15 Newcastle Upon Tyne The Cluny
08/10/15 Guildford Boiler Room
09/10/15 London Blues Kitchen Brixton
10/10/15 Exeter Phoenix
11/10/15 Bristol The Tunnels
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