THE CACTUS BLOSSOMS

Bush Hall,
Shepherds Bush, London
Monday 23rd January 2017


Click here for their website

We got to Bush Hall early enough to get a standing place second row from the front and got chatting to some characters from the same family who obviously knew The Cactus Blossoms and the whole hillbilly/rockabilly festival scene. One of the band had even come out to say hello and have a few pictures taken. Straight away we warmed to them - no airs and graces and they seemed to be really genuinely nice people.

Page Burkum
Despite having different family names, The Cactus Blossoms are two brothers, originally from Minneapolis who really show how keeping it in the family generates a special blend of vocals.

Much as the boys would like us to compare them to artists other than The Everly Brothers, you cannot escape the fact that they do sound like Don & Phil - it is obviously a family thing.

However, other influences such as Hank Williams and Woody Guthrie and that whole 1940's country sound really shone through their whole set.

The Beeb was quite taken with the 1950's authentic wee guitar Jack was playing. A real piece of vintage beauty.

They highlighted songs from their excellent album, "You're Dreaming", produced by JD McPherson. This album has so many great songs on it, the upbeat "Stoplight Kisses", the beautiful "Powder Blue", and maybe the best live performance of the night, "Adios Maria". this last song had the whole of Bush Hall singing along.

For an encore they dedicated Chuck Berry's "Brown Eyed Handsome Man" to Barak Obama, managing to namecheck Michelle too. It was pretty clear what they thought of their new President!

I think we have been lucky to catch them in such an intimate venue. The next time we see them its a certainty that will be bigger venues they play. Who knows....the Albert Hall?


Page (L), Jack (R)

Jack Torrey


No comments:

Post a Comment