10 Reasons To Love Black Stone Cherry
Originating from Edmonton, Kentucky rock band Black Stone Cherry (BSC) have really been making musical waves in both the rock music genre and the industry since their debut album was released in 2006. Their latest album entitled ‘Kentucky’ is out now on Mascot Label Group and they have just announced an extensive 14-date UK Tour called Experience Kentucky: ‘An Evening With Black Stone Cherry’ which will visit theatres and halls in November and December 2016.
With this being the case, we felt that it was the right time for our ’10 Reasons To Love Black Stone Cherry’ article. Please note that this is just our opinion and although it is a numbered list it does not have a particular order.
(Don’t forget, you can interact with the article by commenting on our official Facebook page and Twitter page with your favourite tracks, BSC live moments etc.) Enjoy…
- In My Blood
Taken from their ‘Between The Devil and The Deep Blue Sea’ album, this song really helped the band showcase the light and shade of their material and prove that they are more than head-banging arena rockers. The official music video for the track is emotionally powerful and includes footage of American military soldiers and the work they do every day to keep America safe.
- In Our Dreams
One of the singles from the ‘Kentucky’ album which saw them return to their original roots. John Fred Young’s drumming on this is intense and compliments John Lawhon on the bass. The chorus is perfect for crowd sing-alongs at live shows as Ben Wells and Chris Robertson’s electric guitars weave in and out with such precision.
- Me And Mary Jane
I must first explain that this song is not about BSC having an affair with Peter Parker’s (Spiderman) girlfriend but something else entirely! Interestingly, if you watch the video close enough you’ll see Robertson wearing a Cadillac Three baseball cap as BSC are very good friends with the band The Cadillac Three from Nashville, Tennessee.
The song’s lyrics are very cheeky but that is part of BSC’s approach and one of the key reasons for their popularity.
- Built For Comfort (Live)
This is a special moment at BSC’s live shows when they take on Howlin Wolf’s ‘Built For Comfort’ a blues number. But what BSC do brilliantly is make it their own by adding some Kentucky rock flavour to it whilst still keeping the essence of the track.
Chris Robertson’s vocals are first class on this and Lawhon’s bass just keeps the groove going with such ease throughout. I would say that seeing it at a live show has a bit more impact than watching on recorded gig footage but it is still a magical version nonetheless.
- Soul Machine
Channeling their inner James Brown (The Godfather of Soul) for the new album ‘Soul Machine’ could possibly be seen as the band going outside of its comfort zone. However, this of course is not a bad thing and should be embraced.
It makes perfect sense to put the great BSC rhythm section with a funky horn section and female vocalists to create that classic American soul vibe. For me, it is a clear highlight on the ‘Kentucky’ record.
Also, it is very hard not to sing ‘S-O-U-L Machine!’ because it is so darn catchy!
- White Trash Millionaire
This is essentially ‘two fingers’ to those in the rich establishment as Robertson sings ‘Big time appointments with all their fake friends’. Ben Wells’ guitar is fluid and Robertson’s lead vocals are clear and passionate.
This was the first single from the 2011 record ‘Between The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea’ and reached #11 in the US Billboard Mainstream Rock chart in the year of its release.
- The Way Of The Future
The first time I heard this track was at the very special Black Stone Cherry live show at the famous London, United Kingdom venue The Borderline. The show was a charity performance to raise money for Teenage Cancer Trust with BSC donating merchandise from their previous tour with all of the proceeds going to TCT.
It was this event that showed the world that BSC are not only talented musicians and songwriters but also really kind people with big hearts. It is very easy for some musicians to forget about their fans from early on in their career back in the days when they were playing in a creaky run down bar for two people and a dog but not BSC. This was not only for a great cause but also a thank you for the band’s loyal fanbase.
This was the chosen as the first single from ‘Kentucky’ and was released in December 2015. It proved to be a very successful taster for the new album online with people commenting that the band had gone back to their original sound.
- Lonely Train
This song is soaked in kick-a** guitar riffs and the line ‘You can’t judge a book, by looking at the cover!’ is even relevant today in 2016 (ten years after it was released on their debut self-titled album). We hear Ben Wells play a really heavy guitar solo as the band just get stuck in and gel beautifully.
The song became very popular after it featured on the official soundtrack for the wrestling video game ‘Smackdown Vs RAW 2007’.
- Blame It On The Boom Boom
Another track from ‘Between The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea’, ‘Blame It On The Boom Boom’ was a live highlight at BSC’s Download Festival set in 2011 as the crowd jumped and waved their hands in the air throughout.
The use of repetition makes the song a memorable cut and just rolls off the tongue when you sing it. Classic BSC!
- Things My Father Said
Quite honestly, this song is hauntingly beautiful and sees Chris Robertson sing about the important things his late father said to him when he was a child. Usually performed as an acoustic section with Wells on acoustic guitar, this track from 2008’s ‘Folklore & Superstition’ is relate-able to BSC fans worldwide due to the subject matter and the song has become part of who they are not only as a band but also as individuals.
Glenn Sargeant
Black Stone Cherry’s new studio album ‘Kentucky’ is out now worldwide on Mascot Label Group. In addition, the band will be embarking on a very special 14-date UK Tour entitled Experience Kentucky: ‘An Evening With Black Stone Cherry’ at the following venues:
Saturday 19th November 2016 – St David’s Hall, Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom
Monday 21st November 2016 – Guildhall, Portsmouth, United Kingdom
Tuesday 22nd November 2016 – Civic Hall, Wolverhampton, United Kingdom
Thursday 24th November 2016 – O2 Apollo, Manchester, United Kingdom
Friday 25th November 2016 – Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom
Sunday 27th November 2016 – City Hall, Newcastle, United Kingdom
Monday 28th November 2016 – City Hall, Sheffield, United Kingdom
Wednesday 30th November 2016 – Dome, Brighton, United Kingdom
Thursday 1st December 2016 – Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham, United Kingdom
Friday 2nd December 2016 – Colston Hall, Bristol, United Kingdom
Sunday 4th December 2016 – (Sunday Headliner), Planet Rockstock, Trecco Bay, Wales, United Kingdom
Monday 5th December 2016 – O2 Shepherds Bush Empire, London, United Kingdom
Tuesday 6th December 2016 – O2 Shepherds Bush Empire, London, United Kingdom
Thursday 8th December 2016 – UEA, Norwich, United Kingdom
Tickets officially go on sale for general public release on Friday 22nd July 2016. For more information visit the band’s official website here: http://bit.ly/20sQRla
You can also read our exclusive ’20 Questions with Fred John Young (Drummer of Black Stone Cherry) here: http://bit.ly/1X5jlvW
(Many thanks to the UK office of Mascot Label Group, Cosa Nostra PR and John Fred Young)
