Hailing from Atlanta Georgia, the Rock band known as Blackberry Smoke are back with a brand new batch of songs that celebrate the southern musical sound they have become known for. Calling the album Be Right Here, it is their eighth overall and is set for release on February 16, 2024 via 3 Legged Records/Thirty Tigers.
Led by Charlie Starr (lead vocals/guitars) since their start over two decades ago, Blackberry Smoke are in full force. A follow up to their chart topping 2021 album You Hear Georgia, returning is the grouping of Starr with Richard Turner (bass, vocals), Brit Turner (drums), Paul Jackson (guitar, vocals) and Brandon Still (keyboards). The steady cast of characters for many years now, joining them for the recording sessions of Be Right Here were touring members Preston Holcomb (drums) and Benji Shanks (guitar), but also special guest vocals from The Black Bettys, all produced by Grammy Award-winning producer Dave Cobb. A perfect recipe for some soulful Country Rock, shining bright on these ten new tracks are the harmonies, tasty lead guitar licks and backbeat drums the band has become known for. Preceded by singles such as “Dig A Hole,” “Little Bit Crazy,” “Hammer And The Nail,” plus the most recently released “Azalea,” what follows are more well-crafted tunes.
Looking at it all, Be Right Here opens a tasty, dirty guitar riff set at a rich creamy tone on “Dig a Hole.” Setting the mood, it proves if you give Starr an inch, he’s going to take a country mile, because his singing matched with the guitar work have an equal amount of bite and bark. A great start, “Hammer and Nail” dives in with a thumping acoustic guitar intro as Starr sings about life, and well, it is just not working out too well. Looking at the lyrics, He is the nail and life is the hammer that keeps swinging.
A relatable feeling for many, as a whole the album features much of this. That in mind, next you have “Like it Was Yesterday” with its great Country overdriven guitar riff and beautiful dissonant middle bridge chords that resolve. Here you are reminded that it is ok to look back and have fun in the moment; because after all, time moves too quickly. This pushes as long to Bluegrass-vibed “Azalea” where you get a crystal clear lead line sung by Starr over a beautiful fingerpicking intro. Again, introspective, it helps you realize that half the learning in life is sometimes taking chances. Because remember, home will always be right here, but it is also ok to try new things.
These cuts explained, you also have the Honky Tonk mood of “Don’t Mind If I Do” complete with tight backing harmonies, raucous guitars. This is while “Other Side of the Light” features a very upbeat sounding slide intro along with tight jumpy drums before more great harmonies ensue, before “Little Bit Crazy” kicks in with a three-part harmonies and a sweet sounding southern guitar riff. The latter of these two is filled with a funky, tremolo guitar effected solo, but it all truly shines when you hear the backup singing at the tail end creating an extremely fun listening experience.
Overall, Be Right Here shows that Black Berry Smoke are a band running at full speed, firing on all cylinders, and show no signs of slowing down. Approaching their twenty-five year of creating music, the band is as tight as ever and show they are still able to create some beautiful music with ease. Possessing every element that Blackberry Smoke fans have grown accustomed to, Cryptic Rock gives Be Right Here 5 out of 5 stars.
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