Untitled Document

BLACKFOOT "Good Morning in Paris" New Morning 12-04-2011

(Photo Jeff Lescene)

From the moment this date in Paris was announced, I remember that several people were wondering if the current Blackfoot could succeed in rallying the « Southern rock made in France » potential. Well, against all expectations, the résult lived up well over to the hope (and even better) since the New Morning announed "Sold-out" around 17h, a good reward for the 106 Db Prod guys who dared to go into this organization. The proof that it's still possible to organize some "Southern" events in our country ! So it's about 18h when the first faces turn up at the lobby of the Parisian club, and very quickly we realize that the Southern Rock regulars and enthusiasts have not stayed away from this rendez vous. With a real pleasure, the conversations start on subjects dear to this music...

(Photo Jeff Lescene)

whatsoever the recent memories on the "Simple Man Cruise" or those to come : "Rock Legends Cruise" (isn't it Thierry, Karine, Fred, Johnny, Alison, Laurent, Christian, aso...?) or the next stays in our country of Doc Holliday (in June) and Point Blank (in July), everyone has fun to take part of the talking. Further up on the road (sorry, it was to tantalasing! NdT.), I meet the "BandaNatchez" (the « Natchezpack » : members and friends of the french southern band Natchez, NdT.) sat down at table around a good beer. We have to kill time because the New Morning's doors will open around 20h15... (well, of course, it's up for some beers !). A question comes back also regularly in the conversations, this is to say who will open, some Southern Rock enthusiast french bands (Natchez, Calibre 12, aso ..) offered their services to 106 Db but, in need of place on stage, les organizers prefered to opt for "Norfolk AC", a guy alone with his guitar in the middle of the arena.

(Photo Jeff Lescene)

Of course the elders, remembering Lynyrd Skynyrd's opening (quite incoherent) in the Zénith in June 2009, set the question in a legitimate way ! But from the first chords of his acoustic Gibson, Cyril reassure the audience. A quality Country Folk, performed with a real feeling, brings a significant interest to this evening, but of course the audience stamps its feet with impatience for Blackfoot, and as Charlie Hargrett, Greg T. Walker, Mike Estes, and Kurt Pietro come on stage, we feel very quickly that something special will happen ! And we haven't to wait a long time to get the confirmation, the band starts with "Good Morning", wouahh... it rocks badly. Charlie is very impressive (even if the backline at his disposal doesn't really offer the right amplifier), Greg T. Walker seems also to have a great shape and Mike Estes and Kurt Pietro make their best to be up to the mark in this mythical band ! The classic sequence with "Wishing Well" confirms that the band seems very happy to be back again in Paris, he he, Blackfoot's concerts in Paris are not legion... the olderer remaining of course of this opening for Iron Maiden in March 1982 or of this concert in the Elysée Montmartre in October 1992... Few dead times, and it goes on with "Morning Dew" : it's always a little surprising to see in the set-list this tune released for the "Vertical Smiles" album, surely the most controversial of all the Blackfoot's recordings, but I have to admit that this tune works much better live than its studio version !

The atmosphere in the New Morning is really nice and the audience really seems to be completely convinced by the cause of this Big One of the 70's-80's Southern Rock ! With "Fox Chase" or the magnificent "Left Turn On A Red Light", we really get in the nostalgia sequence (well, for some !), then of course we'll heard later after the gig some reports reminding that Mike Estes isn't Rickey Medlocke, ok... but we know it!... For me, I think overall that, even if the ex-Skynyrd isn't the great guitarist and singer that was Mister Medlocke in the great Blackfoot era, he paradoxically has the quality to call for the comparison, what neither Bobby Barth nor Jay Johnson did provoke during their various times in the band ! In short, as such, and despite those inévitable reports, Blackfoot provides a great concert and directs the end of the show to the titles that everyone is waiting for, like "Dry County", "Train Train" or the key "Highway Song" (what a pleasure to hear the audience howl the chorus with the band !), a final where we can notice the incredible tonus of Charlie Hargrett and Greg T. Walker, a punch that doesn't let indifferent the people knowing how old are our fellows ! Respect Messieurs !

(Photo Jeff Lescene)

A very supported encore will bring Blackfoot back on the stage (despite the obvious tiredness!) for a classical "Crossroads", but the great enthusiasm of the audience will not succeed to let them come back once again. « Perhaps Mike Estes hasn't worked other tunes (?)... », whispers to me my buddy Manu, from Natchez! Possible ? In every instance, I don't know a lot of people regretting their evening and that's all the better! And to conclude I would say that if 106 Db Prod has again the good idea to plan again such evenings with people like The Outlaws, Marshall Tucker, Gator Country, not to say 38 Special, it's a cinch that we won't hold it against them !

John Molet

(Photo Jeff Lescene)(Photo Jeff Lescene)