Marcus King has incredible skills as a guitarist, but overcoming personal demons and finding true love has not only strengthened him but improved his songwriting and vocal abilities. He brought all of his tools to a sold-out Wiltern Theatre in Los Angeles on October 7, 2022. The now well-established band leader blew away the raucous crowd who were packed into the theatre. King and his talented group closed out the night of soul, blues, and southern rock tunes after tasteful sets by country music crooner Ashton Kraft and piano rocker Neal Francis.
King released a new album called Young Blood on August 23 produced by multiple Grammy-winning musician Dan Auerbach. The band worked out several of the new songs at the show including the distorted, guitar-heavy set opener “It’s Too Late,” which is the first track on the new album. King and slide guitarist Drew Smithers set the tone early with scorching solos that complemented each other’s playing. The rowdy crowd was hooting and hollering from the opening notes, as if they were at a country jamboree. A few even waved their cowboy hats, a rare site for a Los Angeles audience.
Additional new songs “Aim High” and “Rescue Me” featured intense guitar solos including King on slide and a trippy Hammond B3 organ solo. “Hard Working Man” could be a breakout radio hit, with King’s smooth, impassioned vocals, catchy chorus, and infectious beat. “Blood on the Tracks” was Smithers’ turn to blast out a killer slide solo. Late in the set, the last of the new songs called “Lie Lie Lie” featured a monster jam with King and Smithers taking turns on intricate solos culminating with both wailing away.
Much of the new material as well as Marcus King’s older songs could be considered retro, in a 70’s southern and classic rock vein. However, King’s music is really rooted in the blues and he paid respect to BB King before he played the 1972 track “Guess Who.” The band went back to their first album “Soul Insight” for “Fraudulent Waffle,” an instrumental that showcased the horns. Trumpeter Justin Johnson blew a jazzy, fast solo followed by Christopher Spies’ reverb and distortion-laced sax solo.
After “Always” from King’s 2020 solo album “El Dorado,” drummer Jack Ryan had the stage to himself for a thundering solo. Once Ryan departed, there was a touching moment in the show as King came out alone with an acoustic guitar. He introduced the love of his life and fiancé, Briley Hussey, who joined him to sing a duet. The couple lovingly crooned Chris Stapleton’s “Joy of My Life.” Not long after Hussey departed, King kept the theme going with a sweet version of Calvin Lewis and Andrew Wright’s “When a Man Loves a Woman.”
The encore started with King alone on stage with his acoustic guitar. He invited Ashton Craft,who had opened the show, out to the stage. They sang a twangy, slow version of The Rolling Stones’ “Wild Horses.” For the big ending, the full Marcus King Band as well as Ashton Craft, Neal Francis and Francis’ guitarist Kellen Boersma hit the stage. The expanded band played Joe Cocker’s “Delta Lady,” which King described as one of his favorite songs ever. The rowdy, honky tonk version had alternating vocals between King and Francis as well as scintillating guitar solos from King, Smithers, and Boersma.
Neal Francis and his band preceded the Marcus King Band. Francis got the crowd dancing with a few of his joyful, up-tempo songs. Francis’ smooth vocals and intricate keyboard playing won over the crowd. Guitarist Boersma laid down several rapid, finger-picking solos. For the catchy “Can’t Stop The Rain,” Marcus King slide guitarist Drew Smithers joined the band and traded solos with Boersma. The set closing “BNYLV” contained a beautiful Francis piano solo and fuzzy Boersma guitar solo.
Photo(s) courtesy of Andy J. Gordon ©2022
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