Eric Gales and Slash, photo, Slash’s S.E.R.P.E.N.T Blues Festival, The Greek Theater

Photo: Eric Gales, Slash by Martine Ehrenclou

Concert Review: Slash’s SERPENT Blues Festival, The Greek Theater feat. Slash, Eric Gales, Samantha Fish, Warren Haynes, Chris Robinson

By Martine Ehrenclou

Known as one of the greatest rock guitarists in history, Slash tapped into his passion for the blues with his recent album Orgy of the Damned, a collection of undiscovered and classic blues covers with acclaimed guest vocalists such as Chris Stapleton, Gary Clark Jr., Billy F. Gibbons, Paul Rodgers, Brian Johnson and more.

In celebration of his new record, the Grammy winning Slash curated an all-star Blues lineup to join him on his SERPENT festival touring North America. SERPENT is an anagram that stands for Solidarity, Engagement, Restore, Peace, Equality ‘N Tolerance. In the spirit of giving back, a portion of the proceeds benefit various charities.

To see Slash, Eric Gales, Samantha Fish, Warren Haynes and Chris Robinson all in one place for one show, was a blues and guitar feast. These are some of the most talented musicians in blues/blues-rock and rock. Slash’s SERPENT Festival took place on July 13 at The Greek Theater, an open venue in the Hollywood Hills, Los Angeles.

Too bad for the empty seaters. They missed one of the most amazing performances of the night. Grammy nominee, blues-rock guitarist, singer and songwriter Eric Gales opened the show. Dynamic and electrifying, Gales greeted the crowd as if the venue was jam packed, displaying his virtuosic guitar chops that dazzled and thrilled. Gales knows how to snag an audience’s attention. He’s one of world’s best guitar players, and a compelling performer.

With a powerful voice, and a positively electric stage presence, Gales, with his wife LaDonna on drums behind him, and another drummer next to her, kicked off the show with the funky “Put It Back”. This was amped up, edgy rock with a definite groove. If you see Eric Gales, you’d better be ready. His rock and funk have an edge, and his talent on guitar is revered by some of the best guitar players. A short set, Gales and his tight band closed with “Voodoo Child” and a medley of “Kashmir” and “Back In Black”. That was one of the best AC/DC covers I’ve heard.

Samantha Fish, photo, Slash’s S.E.R.P.E.N.T Blues Festival, The Greek Theater

Photo: Samantha Fish, Martine Ehrenclou

Next up—Grammy nominee Samantha Fish graced the stage, dressed in black leather and silver studs from head to toe. Tossing her blond curls and clutching her cigar box guitar, she launched into one of her rock hits “Bulletproof.” A magnetic performer, Fish floored the crowd with her tasty slide guitar riffs and expressive vocals. She owned that stage. You couldn’t take your eyes off her. In the middle of the first song, Fish said to the crowd in a breathy voice, “Come on Los Angeles. Help me out Baby.” Seductive? Yes. And it worked. Applause and hollers erupted. Fish played “Kick Out the Jams” and “I Put A Spell On You”,  which she absolutely nailed with her vocals, sultry and smooth. She closed out her set with “Black Wind Howlin’”.

The seats were filled as the evening turned to dusk. Grammy winner and guitarist for The Allman Brothers, Warren Haynes is also band leader singer-songwriter-guitarist for Gov’t Mule, as well as other projects. A tremendous feel player and soulful vocalist, Haynes and the band ripped into “Tear Me Down”. Haynes played slide on “Fire In the Kitchen” his vocals now alive with emotion, his guitar funky and intense.

Warren Haynes, photo, Slash’s S.E.R.P.E.N.T Blues Festival, The Greek Theater

Photo: Warren Haynes, Martine Ehrenclou

Unfortunately, the venue sound was a bit muddy for Warren Haynes, and his vocals and guitar were too far back in the mix. I strained to hear him. Having been to The Greek many times, I’d never experienced this before. Extraordinary bass player Kevin Scott locked it down with equally talented drummer Terence Higgens, alongside Matt Slocum on keys and sax player Greg Osby. Haynes and the band glided into the funky “Invisible” from his studio album Tales of Ordinary Madness. Slash joined Haynes on stage for the renowned “Soulshine” that Haynes wrote while with the Allman Brothers.

The venue was now packed. Not one empty seat. At 9:15pm Slash and his blues band kicked off their set with a Bukka White tune “Parkman Farm Blues” from his album Orgy of the Damned. Together with a couple of his Blues Ball bandmates Teddy “Zig Zag” Andreadis on vocals/keyboards and bassist Johnny Griparic, drummer Michael Jerome and singer/guitarist Tash Neal rounded out a top tier cast of musicians.

Ambient smoke rushed the night air from the stage as Slash and the band hit it big with “Killing Floor.” The crowd went completely wild. And rightly so. Dressed in his trademark top hat and dark glasses, Slash slayed on guitar. He was in his element here with catchy guitar riffs, inventive solos. A talented Tash Neal sang this Howlin’ Wolf tune like nobody else. Slash appeared to be a shy performer and perhaps prefers to let his guitar be the focus of attention. That’s all the fans needed this night, and the screams turned into adoring hollering for Slash, Neal, Griparic (a dynamic performer), Jerome and Andreadis. They pretty much killed it on every tune including “Oh Well” by Fleetwood Mac, “Big Legged Woman” by Freddie King” “Key To The Highway” (Booker T and the MG’s), sung by Teddy “Zig Zag” Andreadis in a throaty voice.

Slash, photo, Slash’s S.E.R.P.E.N.T Blues Festival, The Greek Theater

Photo: Slash, Martine Ehrenclou

The standout of the night was “The Pusher” (Steppenwolf) sung by Chris Robinson of the Black Crowes. Cutting through the mix, his voice was superb. The hat trick of the show, Robinson dug into the song, soulful, a compelling performer with some fine harp skills. Slash knows how to pick them, and that includes the musicians in his band. “Papa Was A Rolling Stone” summoned everyone from their seats, and the crowd moved to the groove with Tash Neal on vocals.

Eric Gales joined Slash on stage for “Cross Road Blues” and together they jammed facing one another, reveling in each other’s riffs and solos. The encore brought more from Slash’s new blues album, concluding with the kicker, “Shake Your Money Maker” with Teddy “Zig Zag” Andreadis on vocals.

You have to hand it to Slash for putting SERPENT Festival together, for attracting fans in their 20’s and 30’s to 60’s to hear blues music with a strong rock vibe. Rarely do you see people in their early 20’s at Blues concerts. There were rows of twenty something’s hugging the stage. For that, I’m thankful to Slash for introducing a new generation to rocking blues performed by an all-star cast of musicians.

Watch “The Pusher” Slash feat. Chris Robinson

 

Slash SERPENT festival website