Slash Brings Rock and Blues to Clearwater’s BayCare Sound
There is a celebration going on in Clearwater! BayCare Sound at Coachman Park has been honoring its one-year anniversary with a series of shows from local bands playing free shows to $10.00 shows. They scored with Slash’s S.E.R.P.E.N.T. Festival on tour promoting Slash’s solo debut album “Orgy of the Damned” foray into the blues. Of course, we all know Slash as the famed guitarist with Guns N’ Roses as well as his solo work with Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators. Slash wanted to stretch out into the blues genre and why not, he is a great musician. He brought along a cast of musical characters to help him out including Robert Randolph, ZZ Ward and Larkin Poe.
S.E.R.P.E.N.T. stands for Solidarity, Engagement, Restore, Peace, Equality N’ Tolerance, Slash’s motive is to bring fans together for “to celebrate the spirit of the Blues.” Kicking off the show was the incredibly talented Robert Randolph! Named one of the 100 greatest guitarists of all-time by Rolling Stone magazine, Randolph will blow your mind on the pedal steel guitar. He played a five-song set that included “I Need More Love”, and a tribute to Hendrix with “Foxy Lady”. Next up was blues singer/songwriter ZZ Ward. Her real name is Zsuzsanna Eva Ward, she hit the scene in 2013. She took the stage opening with “My Baby Left Me”, a cover of Arthur “Big Boy” Crudup. Her tune “Mother” was dedicated to her bringing her kids with her on tour. A talented singer/guitarist she will keep you swaying to the blues.
Larkin Poe came to the stage with their brand of rock, blues and folk. Sisters Megan and Rebecca Lovell simply had the crowd up out of their seats. Rebecca handles most the of lead vocals and guitar, while Megan just blows everyone away with her lap steel guitar and between them, they are magical! They played a 10-song set that included a cover of the Allman Brothers Band “Jessica” which of course drew huge applause in this ABB fan base that live in this locale. “Bluephoria” was a rock blues tune that was down & dirty. These sisters are immensely talented. Slash has said that “he has been listening to them for a few years” and wanted to have them on this tour. Be sure to catch Larkin Poe if the come your way. There is so much great guitar on this tour before Slash even makes an appearance.
Slash and his band started off with “Parchman Farm Blues”, a cover by Bukka White written in 1940. The first tune from his Orgy album played was “Killing Floor”. On the record and video, the vocals are by AC/DC’s Brian Johnson and harmonica by Steven Tyler. Slash has a great band with him including bassist Johnny Griparic, drummer Michael Jerome, sharing lead vocals are guitarist Tash Neal and keyboardist Teddy “Zig Zag” Andreadis. Fleetwood Mac’s classic “Oh Well” written by Peter Green had Tash Neal on lead vocals. One of the highlights of the show was a jammin’ performance of The Temptations, “Papa Was a Rolling Stone”. with Slash on a talk box. Slash gave the band a bit of a break to do a solo of the “Love Theme from the Godfather” that was beautiful and morphed into the Allman Brothers “Stormy Monday” with Zig Zag on vocals. This is simply stellar guitar playing by a master at his best. Hendrix was smiling wherever he is when Slash and Robert Randolph brought it on Jimi’s “Stone Free.” They closed with the rousing Elmore James cover, “Shake Your Money Maker.” I love that Slash brought out another side for audiences to see besides Guns. He is a versatile musician who can play just about anything and is smart enough to have some great vocalists on his contact list for this tour and record. Another great summer tour! Check out everything Slash at Slash Online.
Vicky Sullivan Photos