The aptly named Southern Soul Assembly is South of the Mason Dixon line artists, Luther Dickinson, Marc Broussard, JJ Grey and Anders Osborne. Well known for their respective musical pursuits the four are presently touring in a singer-songwriter, showcase format. From the band’s website which consists of a single page to performing on a bare stage before a simple, red velvet back drop the show is all about the music. The normally general admission HOB’s floor was lined with folding chairs. Despite little press or promotion the room was three quarters full with a large contingent of female fans.
The four musicians were seated from left to right, Dickinson, Broussard, Grey and Osborne. With no set lists and few instruments (with the exception of Osborne who had a quiver of guitars and iPad, it was as if the audience was privy to an impromptu jam session being held in someone’s living room.
Broussard opened the “in the round” format. While each artist is steeped in the Southern rock/blues tradition each has his own niche. In Broussard’s case it’s that “blue eyed soul.”
Next up was Grey with the rocking “Hide and Seek.” Osborne, looking like a young Kris Kristofferson followed with the swamp blues of the dark “Me and Lola”. While each individual performs the other artists are free to join in for part, or the entire tune. Dickinson who by his own admission is unable to sit still played acoustic bass on almost all of his band mate’s tracks. The impromptu harmonies, harmonica parts or guitar fills added to the spontaneity of the evening. Dickinson added some sweet slide guitar over Osborne’s track. Dickinson then followed with a stirring traditional blues rendition of “The Meeting” belting out the lyric “If you ain’t right, you better get right.”
While the three artists genuinely appeared to enjoy watching their contemporaries perform there was also an undercurrent of competition, which again was to the audience’s benefit. Dickinson’s performance inspired Broussard to bring it on “Comeback Man.”
In addition to the music each artist with the exception of the Swedish Osborne provided context for the songs; telling rambling stories with the charm that only a Southern gentleman possesses. At one point Dickinson pontificated for ten minutes about mowing the lawn, his in-laws and the beauty of women wearing yoga pants all in the same story.
Grey the most animated of the four, made it clear he was a “glass half full guy.” He refuses to watch television because the focus is only on “all the bad shit, that seems to be happening all the time.” But for a poor boy from the South to be getting paid to play music with this band in particular everything in his world was all right. He encouraged the audience to find the positive in their own lives. His performance of “Brighter Days” followed by Anders spiritual, moving, “Peace” was one of the evening’s highlights.
Whether by design or by chance the format allowed fans of one particular artist to be introduced to the talents of three other exceptional performers. The only drawback to the format and the evening was the intimacy of it all required the audience’s rapt attention. Unfortunately not everyone was able to comply and as the night progressed Grey noted that the conversations actually competed with the music. This continues an unfortunate trend where people at the expense of both artists and music fans go to concerts to talk rather than listen. If you are interested in hearing great music in a unique setting Southern Soul Assembly should not be missed.
Photos by Marc Lacatell
