Review: JD McPherson, Fiddlers

I had only heard the name JD McPherson about a month ago. It was post-Spice Girls at Ashton Gate and a friend of mine let her recent playlist go off on its own agenda when North Side Gal came on. I was hooked.

I was convinced I was listening to a long lost Chuck Berry or Little Walter from the depths of some album too cool for me to know about. It came as a ridiculous surprise that his gravelled soulful voice, effortless rasp and use of horns set to an authentic 12 bar is right up my street.

Akin to the first time I heard Leon Bridges, I had to find as much as I could straight away. This guy has been around since 2011. How did I miss him? A quick google search sets him up with artists like Pokey Lafarge, Sturgill Simpson and Bridges.

A quick glance around Fiddlers and the early attendees, and it’s evident I came massively underdressed. Perfect victory rolls and starch pressed shirts were rife. I instantly wished I had a kirby grip to at least make something of my hair.  I sat and watched from the merch stand and overheard a couple of soft complaints that there were only two UK dates on his tour. This meant this was probably far more than the usual Bristol rockabilly crowd. A few local faces were spotted, members of Red Ray and the Reprobates (who are playing Rivertown on Friday supporting Rob Heron at the Folk House), Vistix band, The King Dukes and the local Jive Dancers were all in attendance.

I am hard pushed to find many solo artists alive today who I can really get behind. In a sea of teen pleasing acts headlining festivals and grabbing main city spots today, JD is a total tonic. His raw energy and soaring and unmistakable vocal set himself among his the greats who have clearly influenced him.

JD approached the stage, dressed in a simple raglan tee and jeans and gave a nod to the support act, John Lewis, who is a veteran in the rockabilly scene and was the perfect act to rouse the eager crowd into a swing dance or two.

He slammed into his opening song, Desperate Love, which immediately resulted in a huge call and response. We were then swept up into crowd favourites such as Head over Heels and Cryings just a thing you do and despite not being an expert, I found myself clapping along to the breaks lead by the rest of the band, whom gracefully sat behind JD and appeared cool, each a master of their own instrument.

The encore was almost instantaneous. I don’t think the band had fully left the stage before a chorus of stamps and cheers (even from the bar staff) saw the band leap into the final three. Bossy, his viral track North Side Gal and Jubilee.

I managed to get a chat post-gig and sat among the Fiddlers very rustic furnishings were five men who clearly love what they do. So why are there only two UK dates on the tour? “Most of us have families we want to see and whilst we love it out here, it’s a long time to be away,” he replied. Bristol was truly blessed to have JD McPherson and his band even just for one night. They’re a great act, and I for one will be first in line to grab a ticket next time they come to town.

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