Tom Morello: The Nightwatchman

Like many teenagers in the 90s, I was blown away by Tom Morello’s huge electric guitar sound and unbelievable riffage that helped make Rage Against The Machine the era-defining band it was. Many years on, and, it has to be said, never quite attaining the same heights as with RATM, Tom Morello began his solo project/alter ego named The Nightwatchman. Since 2003, Morello has been performing his stripped-down folk-hero troubadour act, often just playing solo acoustic guitar and singing songs which are his own take on the rich tradition of the protest song. More recently, The Nightwatchman on tour might include a slew of guests or support acts. One thing you can count on though, is Morello’s fiery determination and uncompromisingly anti-establishment lyrics. Although his singing voice doesn’t quite have the emotional range, he still works in a few Dylanesque twists here, a few allusions to Sprinsteen or The Clash there. His admiration for Woody Guthrie is clear from his cover of ‘This Land Is Your Land’, which has the crowd singing along (at least those who’ve been following Morello closely - there’s always a portion of the audience who are expecting something along the lines of RATM or Audioslave, which this is certainly not). However, much to everyone’s delight, he did pull out the electric for a few numbers, and, although his acoustic playing does reach a similar-but-different intensity, for many of us it’s the electric version of Morello that wins out. But in the end, it’s clear that Morello’s commitment is to a political cause, with music, be it folk or rap metal, as the medium to get his message across - and there are plenty who will follow him.

Tom Morello is best known as being the incredible guitarist for Rage Against the Machine, Audioslave and Street Sweeper Social Club. When he’s not busy with those projects, he goes by “The Nightwatchman”.
Morello is a outspoken left-wing activist and this project is an outlet for his political beliefs if nothing else. Luckily, it’s backed by his amazing guitar work. The songs are folk-y at times, acoustic punk-y at others.
Seeing him live is where it all comes together. Backed by The Freedom Fighters Orchestra - a full band, The Nightwatchman is more than just an easily forgotten side project.
Songs from across the artist’s career are present, with tracks like “The Road I Must Travel” getting big responses. However, the occasional Rage Against the Machine riff here or there gets the crowd really moving.
Nothing is overly stunning until the cover of Bruce Springsteen’s “The Ghost of Tom Joad” is played. Wow. It’s about 8-minutes long and incredible the entire way through as Morello plays the guitar behind his head or with his teeth as he throws himself around the stage. The gimmicks really work for The Nightwatchman. The performance is a marvel. One of the true great guitarists of the generation, well deserving all of the attention.