Richmond Fontaine - Greystones, Sheffield, 25/4/2016
by Keith How
published: 16 / 6 / 2016
intro
Keith How enjoys Richmond Fontaine's literary Americana at a gig in Sheffield on their farewell tour
J.R. was waiting pulling on a Bud. He was wearing the appearance of some hobo down on his luck. He looked up and winked. Turning away he took aim and threw the can at the motel sign and missed by a mile. We hit the highway. In the rear view mirror the sun was setting on the Western skyline. J.R. fumbled with a roll up before rummaging for a tape. He chose 'Tesla' to annoy me. I thought it best not to argue. The Greystones joint looked deserted as we pulled in. Outside two guys were smoking and seemingly making some deal. We grabbed a beer and headed for the back room. Inside it was dark. A few loners at tables their faces hidden. A small stage held a drum kit and a couple of amps.”Damn”,I growled to J.R.” There’s gonna be some crap band on”. A couple of beers later the band appeared through the gloom. A guy arrived at the microphone, a guitar in hand,”Holy Shit” he commented to no-one in particular “some people here, lets play a song”. That was my fantasy. In reality,of course, I picked J.R. up from his home and we travelled the A625 to Sheffield and parked close to the rather impressive venue. The Greystones is a busy local pub on the outskirts of Steel City serving good beers and hosting great bands. Inside the atmosphere is humming with anticipation, plenty of banter and smiles. The “BACKROOM” is where it all happens and is packed to the rafters. Richmond Fontaine are in town and when they slip on stage Willy Vlautin utters those timeless words “Holy Shit, there are people” he turns to the band “ Lets play a song.” They do and play for around ninety minutes not counting encores. From the moment the band slide effortlessly into 'Wake Up Ray' we are no longer in the Greystones but transported to a down town bar in Portland. Vlautin’s onstage banter is like chatting with an old friend. His between song tales are funny and engaging sometimes exchanging jokes with the band for us to share in. Familiar songs trade places with cuts from the newest (and final) album 'You Can’t Go Back If There’s Nothing To Go Back To'. The grungy '43' references Vlautin’s early influences while poignant moments found on 'Don’t Skip Out On Me' reveal a tender sense of despair greeted with a reverential hush. Old favourites such as 'Always On the Ride' are met with yelps of recognition from an audience who clearly know their stuff. Richmond Fontaine’s life has been based on the consistency of Willy Vlautin’s song writing and storytelling along with the empathy and quality of his fellow musical travellers and tonight they are on top form. As an author of four books Vlautin chronicles, in literature and poetry, the America that we never really hear about. Songs and stories about drifters and horse traders, bus rides and lost nights, hard work, beer and women. Real life that somehow we can all relate to. 'A Night in the City' tenderly recounts a night of rebellion while 'Saviour of Time' from the under rated 'Lost Son' album is punky and raw and heads are nodding. The band are road hardened, unassuming and confident. Dan Eccles’ handling of the Telecaster is sublime and never overbearing while the bass and drums are rock solid. Willy Vlautin’s voice is all the better for sounding a little raw from touring. A really top class performance. A word for the likeable band sidekick Fernando who got the ball rolling. A genuine singer songwriter of real quality who bravely finished an excellent set (accompanied by Dan Eccles)with a scary song about facing the 'Angel of Death. Top guy! This is the end of the road for Richmond Fontaine. This was a fitting way to say farewell, thank you for the trip and Godspeed. The world will be less with you gone. But fear not. A new incarnation the Delines have picked up the baton and are already 'On the Ride'. Back home I look up at the stars in the clear Peak District sky and wonder if they look the same over Portland, Oregon.
Also at Greystones, Sheffield
Band Links:-
http://richmondfontaine.com/https://www.facebook.com/Richmond-Fontaine-100281195567/
https://twitter.com/rffontaine
Have a Listen:-
Picture Gallery:-
interviews |
Interview (2016) |
John Clarkson speaks to Willy Vlautin, the vocalist and songwriter with acclaimed Portland, Oregon-based Americana band Richmond Fontaine about its tenth and farewell album, ‘You Can’t Go Back if There’s Nothing to Go Back to' |
Interview (2009) |
Interview (2007) |
Interview (2005) |
Interview (2004) |
Interview (2002) |
live reviews |
Luminaire, London, 22/5/2007 |
At the Luminaire in London, Olga Sladeckova watches Willy Vlautin do a book reading from his debut novel 'The Motel Life', before bringing on his band Richmond Fontaine to play a thunderous set of country rock |
Borderline, London, 28/9/2004 |
Spitz, London, 25/5/2004 |
reviews |
We Used To Think The Freeway Sounded Like A River (2009) |
Cinematic and atmospheric eighth studio album from Portland, Oregon-based group Richmond Fontaine, which, while often sadly bleak in its subject matter, is also emphatically life affirming |
Thirteen Cities (2007) |
Post To Wire (2004) |
Winnemucca (2002) |
most viewed articles
current edition
In Dreams Begin Responsibilities - #15- On Being Dignified and Old aka Ten Tips From Jah Wobble On How To Be Happy.The Church - Interview with Steve Kilbey
Simon Heavisides - Destiny Stopped Screaming: The Life and Times of Adrian Borland
Secret Shine - Interview
Vetchinsky Settings - Interview
Repomen - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Flaming Stars - Interview
Near Jazz Experience - Interview
Jack Roscoe - Interview
Sami Sumner - Interview
previous editions
Heavenly - P.U.N.K. Girl EPDwina Gibb - Interview
Trudie Myerscough-Harris - Interview
Oasis - Oasis, Earl's Court, London, 1995
Joy Division - The Image That Made Me Weep
Joy Division - The Image That Made Me Weep
Jimmy Nail - Interview
Allan Clarke - Interview
Beautiful South - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Barrie Barlow - Interview
most viewed reviews
current edition
Kula Shaker - Natural MagickIan Hunter - Defiance Part 2: Fiction
Lewis 'Burner' Pugh - Bullets for Bread
Hillbilly Moon Explosion - Back in Time
Inutili - A Love Supreme
My Life Story - Loving You is Killing Me
David Cross Band - Ice Blue Silver Sky
Beyonce - Cowboy Carter
Smalltown Tigers - Crush On You
Ty Segall - Three Bells
related articles |
Delines: Interview (2014 |
Richmond Fontaine frontman and singer-songwriter Willy Vlautin talks to John Clarkson about his new band the Delines, their debut album 'Colfax', and 'The Free', his recently published fourth novel |
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart