Charlie Parr

Wednesday 4th September, the Lexington, London. Charlie Parr. It’s a lovely late summer evening in old London town and we are looking forward to a night of laid back acoustic blues. First up though on this double bill is JD Wilkes from the Legendary Shack Shakers. If your bag is dark, bleak, morbid, banjo led rockabilly then JD is your man. And for this packed room he certainly is. Supplementing his great banjo playing and singing is his harmonica. But more of that later. It’s a delightful 45 minutes of self-deprecating humour, tall tales and fine songs.

It’s the usual low key opening for Charlie Parr as he casually walks on stage, opens his guitar case, plugs in his pedal and off we go for an hour or so of the finest country storytelling blues. Armed with a half steel and beautiful full steel resonator we are taken on a musical journey taking in a fine blend of standards and Parr originals. As usual with Parr his humour comes out in between songs as he regales us with stories about big ben and a fellow big clock in Minnesota but sadly no clock and just a lake in Duluth.

JD joins Charlie for a couple of tracks later in the show where there’s a harmonica v steel guitar show down rattling down the musical tracks like an out of control steam train. We are taken back down with a great version of ‘Cheap Wine’ and ending the night with a barn storming gospel like rendition of ‘Aint no Grave’ with Parr holding his congregation in rapt attention.

Another great night with Charlie and its good see a full house in my favourite small venue in London (especially with the sad demise of the Borderline) to witness a master in action.

Till the next time keep on dark and broody blues rockin y’all

Monday 5th March. The Keep, Guildford. Charlie Parr. Keeping it local in Guildford tonight in a sold out small pub in Surrey. Its standing room only which is just as well as Charlie is seated at the end of the room with no stage. Still you don’t come to a Charlie Parr show for the visual experience but to be moved by one man and his guitars. Tonight it’s an acoustic and a full steel.

I have reviewed Parr before and tonight again there’s no surprises. It’s just full of great songs played impeccably especially on the steel and he’s certainly a lesson to young guitarists that you don’t need to be flashy or showy to have the chops. His finger work is impressive and it’s almost as if he has three hands and fifteen fingers.

Parr writes in the great story telling style which introduces many characters and scenarios and tales of everyday life in America. It’s the sign of a great songwriter that you get swept up in the magic of the trials and tribulations in the story evoking in equal parts, smiles and sadness and then there’s the music itself. I’ve always been a sucker of a national steel and Parr is one of the very best players around.

The new songs from his latest album ‘Dog’, no CDs left for sale at the gig, boo, held their own with the oldies. No surprise with the highlights of ‘Jubilee’, ‘Cheap Wine’ and ‘Aint no Grave’ but I did really like ‘Peaceful Valley’ form the new album.

As always a great night with one of the best American musician, singer songwriters around.

Till the next time keep on finger pickin, steel guitar rockin’ y’all

Monday 15th August. The Lexington. Charlie Parr.

It’s a warm August night in North London as we make our way to my favourite small venue in London for what promises to be a treat of country blues. It’s been three years since we as Parr last with about twenty souls at the Slaughtered Lamb. Tonight though the venue is full with a considerably younger audience.

It’s a low key affair with just Charlie and his 12 string National steel resonator. I say 12 string but the reality is it’s a six string and at one point five string as he wasn’t happy with the sound with all 12 strings and systematically removed strings until he found the sound he wanted. However many strings it sounds amazing.

It’s a set of standards and original songs and he fills in with amusing stories in a very self-deprecating way including a funny story about bifocal glasses. Both his vocals and guitar impress and he holds the audience in rapt silence during the songs.

It’s difficult to pick a highlight but he did do a great version of Cheap Wine for the album of the same name. A master class in steel guitar tonight for an artists whose following is obviously growing.

Keep on rockin y’all.

What an amazing musician, singer and songwriter. I was mesmerized by his finger work on the twelve string guitar, humbled by his earnest Midwestern presence on the stage, and floored by the strength and clarity of his voice and his subtle use of linguistic intonation. I can't wait to see him next time he's in town.

I'm a long time fan and every time I see Charlie, the show is amazing!! I would say they just keep getting better and better, but I don't know how one could get better from brilliant-already! His style and depth, combined with his clever, witty sense of humor makes for an awesome show!

Charlie Parr held the crowd inside at Mohawk spellbound for an hour. Just a man, a guitar and his foot keeping time. The fingerpicking on the resonator guitar and the twelve string were wonderful, as his songs told the lives of the forgotten. Had a great time!

Such a cool guy! Killer on the steel guitar. Really a wonderful artist, musician, singer. His between song comments and stories were witty and sweet. Really seems like a great guy.