When Rivers Meet Arlington Arts Centre 01-10-26
First up was a solo acoustic set from Greene who introduced himself saying that his stage name was his mums maiden name so that's his bank security question everyone now knows !!
His self effacing humour was present throughout and his melodic voice suited the ambience of the set. Previously a member of Connor Selby's band and he has co writes on 3 tracks from the new album from The Cinelli Brothers too and well worth checking out.
Touring in support of their latest studio album Rhythm Rust & Static sees a very good Thursday night crowd pack The Arlington Arts Centre and When Rivers Meet don't disappoint.
Fiercely championing their independent status the band have had remarkable success including a Top 10 Official UK Albums Chart entry with Aces Are High and a #4 Official UK Albums Chart with Addicted To You, alongside multiple Official UK #1 positions across genre and format charts.
To keep the feel of the album which was recorded with an intentionally stripped-back, analogue-inspired approach husband and wife Grace & Aaron Bond are joined by long-time collaborator James Fox, adding depth and texture through percussion, guitar, bass and backing vocals in a show of musical dexterity in the extreme. He is superb.
Despite only having three musicians on stage, the sound is expansive and full-bodied and it's a joy seeing such interplay and enjoyment from all involved.
Rhythm Rust & Static tracks make up half of the set and unlike other bands the songs are throughout the set and not put in order which I prefer. Mixing it up with songs from their 5 album career and back to the debut ep which some of the audience had and also included an excellent cover of Soul Breaker. This song they added to the Catfish tribute album for their sadly departed friend Matt Long and from it's where they got the inspiration to make the new album with it's raw stripped back approach.
The elements of the band range from folk and blues to fuzzed out classic rock and all points inbetween and starting with my new album favourite Caught In The Middle was great with it's stop start guitar riff and big chorus with Grace and Aaron trading vocals in the pre chorus.
The Tide Is Turning sees another stop start guitar riff with Grace lowering her register and the band taking it down to a whisper before it builds back and then kicks in with James percussion full on and Aaron's fuzzed up guitar loud.
Fatal Attraction sees Aaron's deep vocal style taking lead and a fine job he does too.
Grace is mesmerising with her melodic vocal range superb and she can push it to the max too with long held notes and a fine slide guitar player she is too alongside violin as well.
Horizon the ballad is a highlight with all eyes on Grace and she excels vocally alongside the acoustic strummings before a fuzzed out guiatr riff kicks in to the end of the song in a right hand turn before a gentle outro !!
Bring Life sees Grace and Aaron trading vocals in a song about their baby boy Bobby and not a cheese fest as they hoped with some wonderful melodies and great guitar lines from James too. Bobby hopefully slept on backstage !!
My Time Is Done and Did I Break The Law finish the evening in style and the band head back to their 6 piece status shortly and are due to tour in November on The Backbone Tour.
Go see them you won't be disappointed.
