The Sun Rose West Hollywood, CA
Contact: [email protected]
Web: ladyblackbird.com
Players: Lady Blackbird, vocals; Chris Seefried, guitar, backing vocals; Jon Flaugher, bass; Kenneth Crouch, piano; Jimmy Paxon, drums
Material: Celebrating the launch of her latest album, Slang Spirituals, Lady Blackbird played a fabulous almost 90-minute set at West Hollywood’s Sun Rose. With a vibey tense instrumental intro announcing her arrival, Blackbird covered hit songs from 2022’s Black Acid Soul, Moby collaboration “Dark Days,” Gladys Knight and Roberta Flack/Donny Hathaway covers, and selections from the new album. Enigmatic and soulful, Blackbird offers a captivating showcase of music for music’s sake, and she holds the audience spellbound.
Musicianship: With support from some of the best musicians around today, Blackbird (alongside producer/Musical Director/guitarist, Chris Seefried) delivered a tight, honest, fresh sound that paid homage to traditional soul, rhythm & blues, jazz, with the occasional ethereal electronic element. Jimmy Paxon brought phenomenal drumming with frequent restraint, adding just the right amount of drive and energy, while Seefried’s guitar licks sang alongside Blackbird beautifully (along with his intermittent backing vocals).
Performance: “If I Told You” brought swampy blues sound and delicious bass licks from John Flaugher, with his fat walking bass lines continuing on groovy track “Woman” alongside beautiful piano playing from Kenneth Crouch. The suspenseful, reflective sound of “Let Not (Your Heart Be Troubled)” belongs in a Bond movie and the evening’s stirring stripped-back version engaged the crowd, happily snapping and singing along.
Following a syrupy cover of Gladys Knight’s “Neither One of Us,” the Lady was joined by vocalist Ty Taylor (of Vintage Trouble). Their perfect blend—and Taylor’s stellar falsetto—made for a magical cover of Flack/Hathaway’s “The Closer I Get To You.” Blackbird’s talent is met only by her humble appreciative energy. Her unbelievable chops and engaging bubbly personality make for pure entertainment.
Summary: Closing with “It’ll Never Happen Again,” Blackbird’s emotive storytelling remained on full display. From the taffy-pulling lyrics of “Five Feet Tall” to the bluesy sounds of “No One Can Love Me (Like You Do),” and the upbeat anthemic “Reborn,” Blackbird and the band draw your ear and spirit like your palate to a delicious dessert you can’t get enough of: just the right amount of sweet and salty—heartbreak and inspiration—to keep you wanting more.
