Music nerds and vinyl junkies from the greater NYC area convened in Brooklyn this past Tuesday for another installment of DJ Jonathan Toubin’s NY Night Train events and a rare East Coast appearance from OG Southern soul-man Don Bryant and his fabulous backing band the Bo-Keys. Working as staff songwriter for Hi Records out of Memphis, the now seventy-five year old Bryant earned his biggest hit to date back in 1973, co-writing Ann Peeble’s “I Can’t Stand the Rain”. That could soon change however with the newly released LP Don’t Give Up On Love, his first offering in over two decades, and fiery live performances like that of Tuesday night to support it.
The Bo-Keys, an all-star lineup of Memphis studio musicians, quickly settled in with a red-hot instrumental before the man of the evening would take the stage donning a silvery sequined button-up that mimicked the child-like gleam in his eye. Clearly elated with the genuinely warm reception from the crowd (many of whom had already hit the merch booth and could be seen holding copies of the new record before the show began), the grandfatherly frontman belted out the swelling intro to “A Nickel and a Nail” in stunning fashion. An original take on O.V Wright’s 1971 single, the song featured smooth, Al Green style organ provided by Archie “Hubbie” Turner. Bryant manhandled the blues-ridden lyrics with a rich vibrato that filled the room, answering any questions as to whether the singer’s voice may have lost its strength over the years.
The audience would be treated to eight of the ten songs from Don’t Give Up On Love, including the R+B shuffle of “I Got To Know”, “One Ain’t Enough”- a funky groove that had backbones slippin’ – and the album’s beautifully melodic and positively cathartic title track. The hour long set was also highlighted by a pair of numbers (“Everything Is Gonna Be Alright” and “That Driving Beat”), recorded by bandleader and former employer Willie Mitchell, and an inspired rendition of “I’ll Go Crazy”. A slow burner released as a single in 1968, the song saw the Bo-Keys draw back, allowing the veteran vocalist to riff away in an improvised, preacher-like manner and expertly employ pauses and space to build up the dramatic tension.
The only thing lacking from the performance were backup singers, as many of the songs begged for some sassy accompaniment. However, the show would not be over until Bryant had selected two more than capable female volunteers to sing a few licks on the encore “Can’t Stand The Rain” as audience members exchanged looks of disbelief.
