March 30, 2024

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Blackberry Smoke totally destroyed the TempleLive in Cleveland on Friday night with their brand of southern rock, classic rock and just plain good ole rock and roll.   I can honestly say that Blackberry Smoke are one of the best bands out touring today.

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The band is currently out supporting their latest record titled Be Right Here and they played six selections from that album during their twenty song set.

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Charlie Starr and the boys kicked off the set with a blistering version of "Fire in the Hole" which led into the country stompin' favorite "Six Ways To Sunday" and the party anthem "Good One Comin' On."

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It was like that all night with the band mixing the older songs with the newer ones. Starr even encouraged the audience to sing a couple of lines from songs through out the evening.  

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If you have never seen Blackberry Smoke before, they are a combination of The Allman Brothers, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and a little bit of the Black Crowes.  They can go a little country when they want ("One Horse Town"), they can do some extend jams ("Sleeping Dogs"), they can straight out rock ("Waiting For The Thunder"), but most of their tunes are straight up southern rock.

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Starr acknowledged the recent passing of drummer "Brother Brit Turner" and noted that he is with the band in spirit every night.

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The party continued with "Azalea," "Sunrise In Texas," and "Little Bit Crazy" which ended the main set.

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The band returned to play a two song encore that included "Shake Your Magnolia" and the anthem "Ain't Much Left Of Me."

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Check out Blackberry Smoke the next time they come to town.  You won't be disappointed.

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Soul Miners Union, a trio of young men from Lancaster, PA opened up the show with their brand of Texas blues.  Guitarist/singer Ben Brandt has some impressive skills on the fretboard but the band may need a little more seasoning before making a name for themselves.

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Photos and review by Greg Drugan

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