Here is Marcus King back in Paris. The bluesman with the velvet voice and inimitable guitar playing was in concert at the Bataclan this Sunday, November 3. And for a Sunday, the Parisian venue was sold out. As if the blues, even if it is associated with rock and rhythm'n'blues, still attracts the spectator. It must be said that the vast majority of spectators are fans of this music, and of course of Marcus King, who represents the renewal and modernism of the "devil's music" dear to Robert Johnson.

The young man, who is only 28 years old, it should be remembered, was there to present his latest album "Mood Swings". An opus less bluesy than the previous ones, perhaps darker and more personal. An album in which Marcus King abandons a bit of pure blues rock for more modern, softer guitar sounds, but still with this soulful and silky voice.

But on stage, the set list, even if it includes a majority of new tracks, sounds much more rock and blues, and above all, the guitar takes its place again. It must be said that with his talent, his class, and his playing that makes your hair stand on end, it is difficult to be otherwise. And above all, his fans and his audience are there to feast their ears, and their eyes for those who are placed in front of the stage so impressive is his dexterity on the neck of his instrument. And his voice, soulful as you want, brings even more warmth to his music with roots and rock accents. Enough to captivate the spectators until the end of the show. I had a bit of trouble with the drums on the album, but this time, live, no more worries on that side, with Jack Ryan on drums, giving, nevertheless, more body to the compositions. So, there, reconciliation. We add an impeccable rhythm section and keyboard, and, of course, the accomplice for several years, Drew Smithers on guitar and slide guitar with his percussive riffs, not to mention these exchanges during the solos with Marcus King. Pure happiness.

A show of more than 2 hours where blues, rock and soul made us vibrate with one of the future great masters of modern blues: Marcus King.

Yann Charles

Thanks: Olivier Garnier (Replica Promotion), Live Nation, Le Bataclan.