ROBERT JON & THE WRECK. PowerHaus, London.

Going by the driving, energetic and infectious optimism of seventh album Shine a Light on Me Brother, by all that’s right and proper, blues brothers quartet Robert Jon & The Wreck should be crossing over into the mainstream and playing an enormodrome near you soon. Their current European tour, promoting the One of a Kind EP, is part of that continuing campaign, which on Saturday 11 February brought them to the PowerHaus in Camden, London.

Appropriate support came from Shelagh Parnell and Dave Barnes, the stripped-down nucleus of Canadian Southern Soul band Bywater Calls. Shorn of the frenzy of electric guitars, keyboards, drums and brass of a seven-piece group, the fragile beauty of the band’s songs came into focus. Dave’s delicate acoustic guitar arrangements perfectly complemented Shelagh’s seasoned, emotionally expressive vocals.

A recurring theme of the duo’s work is the dark side of romantic relationships, which delivers set highlights like the raw regret of ‘Go Alone’ or the life-affirming call to arms of ‘Bring It Back’. Before they left the stage, Shelagh delighted the audience with the announcement that there will be a full UK band tour of Bywater Calls’ latest album, Remain, later in the year. Absolutely one to watch out for.

Although the horn section and backing singers from the Shine a Light on Me Brother LP are missed, Robert Jon & The Wreck really benefit from the input of new organist John Abernathie (better known as a film composer). A highlight for me was his extended keyboard solo, which recalled The Doors’ organist Ray Manzarek at his most rootsy – think ‘Roadhouse Blues’ or ‘The WASP (Texas Radio and the Big Beat)’.

In the regular line-up, bubble-haired guitarist Henry James – looking like Phil Lynott riffing on Lenny Kravitz’s sartorial style – remains a highlight of the band’s live experience, delivering joyous, celebratory chord changes. Robert himself, perhaps channelling the mischievous spirit of Captain Beefheart, confines himself to enigmatic glances at the audience and getting on with the job in hand. Bassist Warren March and drummer Andrew Espantman, meanwhile, hold down a tight, persuasive beat, Warren sporting those eternally cool rock and roll accessories – black shades and a smile.

Coming on like Kings of Leon with a sense of humour, the band entertain a packed PoweHaus with a set that showcases new single ‘Come at Me’ and an eclectic selection from their back catalogue, including ‘Oh Miss Carolina’, ‘Shine On’, ‘Cold Night’ and ‘When I Die’. Disappointingly from my perspective there’s only one track from 2021’s Shine a Light on Me Brother, but happily it’s the triumphant ‘River Deep Mountain High’ rush of the title track.

Currently, Robert Jon & The Wreck are the best night out around. There are five UK dates left on this current tour, so catch them if you can. Here’s hoping they come back to the UK in the summer to play some festivals. It’d be the ideal environment to see them in, if you’ve yet to shine a light a light on their rootsy sound.

Tour Dates: KK’s Steel Mill, Wolverhampton – Wednesday February 15; South Durham Steelworks, Hartlepool – Thursday February 16 (sold out); Guildhall, Gloucester – Friday February 17; The Bourne Music Club, Sittingbourne – Saturday February 18.

Photographs © Robert Fairclough 2023.