Robert Jon And The Wreck Southampton The Brook 19-4-26

Nige our resident Robert Jon And The Wreck expert was on holiday so a trip to Southampton alone and first up was Sam Morrow from Nashville.

A short 30 minute of 6 songs and his website describes his music that exists somewhere outside of genre and geography. It's his own version of modern-day American roots music: a mix of roadhouse rock & roll, bluesy R&B, and country-fried funky-tonk, driven forward by groove, grease, and guitars and who am I to argue with that.

Sam on guitar and vocals was joined by Kaleb "Junior" Patterson on guitar, Michael Frost on drums and Wildman Boone on bass and they immediately hit the groove and the band interplay showed miles on the road.

Their last song saw them joined by Henry James and Jake from RJ&TW and plenty of guitar soloing and they left to huge applause and I look forward to seeing them again.

Southampton was the last night of this particular trip round the UK for Robert Jon and this night had been sold out for months and the expectation was very high. Through every tour the venues increase in size and this will continue as their live prowess is second to none.

The band Robert Jon Burrison (lead vocals, guitar), Andrew Espantman (drums, background vocals), Henry James Schneekluth (lead guitar, background vocals), Warren Murrel (bass), and recent member, Jake Abernathie (keyboards) played a 13 song 100 minute set which anyone who has seen the band before will know changes night to night.

Promoting 2025's Heartbreaks And Last Goodbyes album but with 3 singles already available from next months Wreckage Volume 3 due out on the 1st of May. In fact this show saw the live debut of Arroyo from said album with it's long guitar and keyboard mid section a highlight.

Here was the setlist .

Every song was greeted like a long lost friend with opener Hold On's big stop start guitar riff and chorus shouted back loud by the crowd. The sound was loud and clear and each instrument played it's part. Their sound takes in all forms of southern, blues and classic rock and this heavier version was topped with Henry James's first of many superb guitar solos. He really has the x factor with his solos having great feel and technique and no little dexterity.

Dragging Me Down shows a little slowing in pace until the guitar solo that was breath taking and great use of light and shade hitting hard when it kicks back in.

Sittin' Pretty is a fast paced rocker with it's guitar riff that stops and starts alongside the band and Henry James add lib soling is a joy to watch as it it fair races to the end of the song.

Long Gone sees Robert Jon's vocals to the fore being very short and sharp in their delivery and the slightly funky guitar riff burrows into your mind before the wah based guitar solo shows another technique that Henry James is a master at.

Better Of Me starts on Jake's keys prowess and the honky tonk feel of the the riff and rhythm and sees plenty of hips shaking in the audience.

Dark Angel sees another off Heartbreaks played and I love it's vocal held notes in the chorus.

Don't Let Me Go from Last Light On The Highway starts on Henry James's slide guitar intro and builds up to the huge chorus that was sung with gusto by the crowd.

Shout to all of the band who all are master musicians. Robert Jon and Henry James are the focal points but it would be a miss of me to give a shout out to the rhythm section of Warren on bass and Andrew on drums who are the base of of all bases.

Jake on keys has his time in the spot light too and starts Gold beautifully and Robert Jon's vocal on this ballad is world class and all leads to Henry James's extended guitar solo full of held notes and poise. Stunning.

Joining the band for Gold on acoustic guitar was Joe Coombs and for the following Oh Miss Carolina that was simply sublime. The crowd went nuts as the band looked on wider eyed and arms swayed from side to side at a song that back in the day would have been a huge hit.

Perfect to be played on a sunny day this sees the band and crowd in unison though it's wonderful verse and chorus through to Henry James's guitar solo and then huge crowd interaction at it's close. Wonderful.

Cold Night closed the set in all it's glory with it's extended duel guitar soloing in the intro and Henry James lets rip on many solos through out showing he really is one of the new great guitarists across all genres. Jake keys on gets his own solo spot before he duels with Henry James with I think a draw a fair result. The extended band workout in the outro with Henry James all over it shows the band can match anyone before the twin guitar's are back. Outstanding.

The encore saw the band joined by Joe again and also Sam Morrow and his guitarist Kaleb Patterson for a lengthy jam and plenty of soloing on JJ Cale's Call Me The Breeze which of course was one of Lynyrd Skynyrd's classics they played too.

I'm not one to say this band or that band are the new xxx but Robert Jon And The Wreck are at the forefront for this and any other era of music.

It makes me happy that soon enough they will be the ones we are talking about and not the old masters and who will replace them.

They are already here and their stature continues to rise at pace and lucky enough for us all they are back in the UK in June and October with tickets available from – https://robertjonandthewreck.com/tour/ see below.