My brother messaged me a few weeks ago, wanting to know if I'd go see Marty Stuart at the Blue Note on January 25th. I'd previously seen him and the Fabulous Superlatives, six years ago opening for Merle Haggard. And it was a slow time at work, I didn't think I'd have to waste a vacation day(I wound up having to) and he said he was buying. So I was in. My mom and dad wanted to go, so he sprung for everyone's.
We arrived to wait in line about 30 minutes before doors opening and got to bare the cold wind. Thankfully the average age of people waiting in line before us was up there, which meant me and my brother didn't really have to worry about rushing towards the front, as like my parents they had seats. We wound up against the rail.
The show started at 8:30, with local act the Brad Cunningham Band, which actually consisted of him and a guitar player. He played ten songs around 40 minutes, with an obligatory rock and roll cover, which was You Don't Mess Around With Jim. He was alright. He had a decent humorous song, Willie for President, kinda derivative of Eric Church. Another decent one he played, Long Way Home, Country 96 plays as part of their red dirt showcases according to my brother.
After a quick 30 minute set change, Marty and the Superlatives hit the stage, with a pretty packed building, with the first of a couple instrumental jams spread out through the evening, before still rocking away into a solid salvo of Tear the Woodpile Down, and early hits ("My radio songs...When I still had black hair!"), The Whiskey Ain't Working and Tempted.
From there it was a blend of rock, country, gospel, bluegrass, rockabilly, blues, surf music, covers and great musicianship for ninety minutes. Each of the Superlatives were given a couple of numbers, to showcase their singing. And each one brought something unique. Guitarist "Cousin" Kenny Vaughan's Country Music Got a Hold of Me was a definite highlight, along with his masterful guitar playing. But so was "Handsome" Harry Stinson's singing. Throw in country music legacy of Chris Scruggs, covering Johnny Horton too. Overall one of the tightest and most talented groups I've seen.
Throughout the night Marty commented on his heroes and his past, mentioning he played Columbia other times, when he was Lester Flatt and when he was with Johnny Cash ("He was my father-in-law for about 15 minutes."). He's played the Roots 'N Blues Fest several times in the last few years, so I would venture to guess it's part of his standard stage banter. It was evidenced by his many cover songs. The greatest country music riff with Mama Tried's opening, you can never go wrong with.
But he is a true professional that seems to enjoy playing live. The biggest thing I marveled at, was how when jumping and dancing around, the fact that he doesn't trip in guitar wires behind him. I also love the fact that the instrument switching was pretty organized and kept to minimum. Basically if they did switch, it was for a group of songs. The late Tom Petty was horrible about the guitar dance.
After he "left" the stage before the encore, he pointed to my brother, because I think he noticed his signing along the words to Rock Island Line and my brother pointed back. The last song of the encore was a gospel number ("If there's any group that needs one, it's this group! which erupted cheers) again showcasing harmony vocal talents.
Overall a great time, with front row view of killer playing. It was definitely a little more on the rocking side. Even his newer songs I wasn't familiar with, were very catchy and made you want to bop around. My dad noted on the ride home, another older guy sitting beside him, expected more "country" style than the rocking honky tonk.
Again with the variety of styles, it's pure Americana. It's no wonder, he was brought, along with his B-Bender that once belonged to Clarence White, on the Sweetheart of the Rodeo 50th Anniversary Tour.
Set List
1. Graveyard (Instrumental)2. Tear the Woodpile Down
3. The Whiskey Ain't Working
4. Tempted
5. You Don't Miss Your Water
6. Mama Tried
7. Mojave
8. Old Mexico
9. Old Old House
10. Country Music Got a Hold of Me (Kenny Vaughan)
11. Hot Like That (Kenny Vaughan)
12. Walls of a Prison
13. Rock Island Line
14. Got the Bull by the Horn (Chris Scruggs)
15. ? (Chris Scruggs song?)
16. Pretty Boy Floyd (Harry Stinson)
17. Slow Train (Harry Stinson)
18. Orange Blossom Special
19. Country Boy Rock and Roll
20. Time Don't Wait
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21. Air Mail Special
22. Hillbilly Rock
23. Angels Rock Me To Sleep
