On April 12, 2012 I saw the return of Alabama Shakes to Brooklyn
(flashback to the Dec 2011 show at Brooklyn Bowl).

Alabama Shakes starts to sweat at Music Hall in Williamsburg

The Brittany Howard led crazy-ass rock and blues band Alabama Shakes played to a sold-out crowd at Brooklyn’s Music Hall of Williamsburg. I was nestled up to stage left on a balcony area with plenty of room to see the interactions on stage and dynamic between the band and audience…a great perch.

After reading Duff McDonald’s review of the show on Huffington Post (click here) where he wonderfully cites “The expressions she (lead singer Brittany) makes seem like the kind a teenager would make in their basement with no one watching.”…I decided not to do a play by play show review. (BTW..I caught my daughter Ella making these same facial expressions while rocking out to Wilco earlier this week…Wilco, Wilco, Wilco, loves you baaaaby).

Over the last 5 months Alabama Shakes has taken the Rock/Americana/Record-buying music fan by storm.

Yes, she wears old lady clothes on stage, but wields a heavy axe and howl.

Seeing them a second time, they are as billed.  And the billing is big.  Band of the year by many publications.

Catch their first big release album on Itunes…fun great songs…kinda like one of the better known Talking Heads albums.

I love this shot of her energy and  inner beast.

Speaking of Duff’s comments on the facial expressions, I not only caught with my camera the snarls or Ms. Howard but also the funky bassman (Zac Cockrell).

Brittany Howard and Zac Cockrell making  funny basement faces

Live music at its finest. How far do they go doesn’t matter…only the best musicians have ability to consistently evolve their look and sound over album and album and years and years.

Before the show at the best bar in Williamsburg (The Turkey’s Nest)… where they serve 50/50 Jim Beam and Coke’s and pint and a half styrophone cups of beer…my guest (Charlie) and I engage with a grizzled music veteren.


I asked him who his favorite bands are (see “Yes”)…he has the balls to say Kiss.  WOW! More impressive, he talked 45 minutes about their songs, albums, concerts, etc.  Unfortunetly, my notes with his name are illegible so let’s call him Big Earl.

Big Earl at The Turkey’s Nest in Brooklyn Likes 1) Kiss 2) Lynyrd Sykynrd and 3) Grateful Dead

Big Earl filled out the top three with Lynyrd Skynyrd and Grateful Dead.

Funny enough, Charlie slides to the juke box, plays The Band (my favorite band) and nudges me with a smile…a live version of Chest Fever.

Live music at its finest.

Already looking forward to seeing Alabama Shakes third go-round to NYC.


Peace.

After the show the band flew to England for a European tour.  While there they played Jools Holland’s show (see TBR Ramble post from Jan 4 2009.)