BLACKBERRY SMOKE
Be Right Here (3 Legged)
Georgian rocksters Blackberry Smoke’s eighth album Be Right Here keeps them true to form with 10 tracks of polished Southern rock. Charlie Starr gives a smooth and measured vocal performance, and there’s the occasional standout guitar lick, but it’s the lyrics that take prominence. Resilience and gratitude are the themes here and the band’s optimism shines throughout.
Be Right Here has a laidback vibe and this is reflected in the words of the slower ballads Barefoot Angel – “Man can show worry when life’s in a hurry” – and Whatcha Know Good. Amongst the toe-tapping country-rock tunes there are leanings into folk, and the rhyme scheme on tracks such as Hammer And The Nail gives songs a poppy rhythm. The album’s main message is about loving each other and living a peaceful life and though all this positivity gets a little twee at times, overall Be Right Here is easy listening.
words LYNDA NASH