Larry Garner at Healey’s, May 10. Tickets: $10. Attendance: 100. Rating: NNN
Rating: NNN
Larry Garner’s band began their second set Saturday night at Healey’s with Jared Daigle playing a note-perfect rendition of Stevie Ray Vaughan’s version of Little Wing. He then launched into some smokingly professional but rather generic funky blues rock before Garner himself stepped onstage to add the much-needed down-home flavour into the mix.The weathered and affable Garner is a fine storyteller, singing about a nympho/kleptomaniac who cleaned out everything he had and a preacher who stole his woman. One day he’s gonna get that bastard preacher, and I am rooting for him big time. It was perfect southern Louisiana blues.
The between-song banter was smooth, Garner’s persona amused and amusing. Complete with hats and brightly patterned shirts, he and his band made you feel like they were playing the role of blues men in a movie.
Of course, there was the blues staple drinking-too-much-and-making-a-fuckwit-of-yourself- and-swearing-off-booze-forever tune. Quaint traditions die hard. Garner’s version is Don’t Buy Me No Whiskey.
His guitar style is terse, with elements of both Buddy Guy and BB King, both minimalist and eloquent.
When Garner, a seasoned pro, broke a string, he simply restrung mid-tune without even interrupting the song – no tuning required. No roadie had to rush onstage and fit him with another instrument. We didn’t have to listen to him trying to work around the broken string until he could change it at the next interval.
Very refreshing.
Precious rock dudes, please take notes.
