Pedal steel, melancholic sentiment and the overriding effect
of the song feeds the country side; Rock ‘n’ roll and a sharp degree of edginess feeds the alt side.
American Aquarium is as complete an alt-country band that you are likely to
come across in 2017. The power of live music never ceases to amaze and this
five piece combo from Raleigh North Carolina has blitzed their way across
Europe for the last month with a memorable set of debut overseas performances.
Not that this BJ Barham-led band are novices to the live scene with annual gig
returns running well into the hundreds across their eleven year tenure as a
functioning band.The Bullingdon, located on Oxford’s vivacious Cowley Road, proved an ideal venue for American Aquarium as they headed towards the completion of an interesting week-long run of UK dates. For an independent band on a first visit, a turnout approaching three figures was a respectable gathering and this will surely grow if BJ keeps his promise of repeat visits. This is highly likely on the evidence of this evening’s show coupled with the fact that he did pay us a visit as a solo performer last summer, suitably impressed enough to bring the band over less than a year later.
If like me your initial exposure to their music was limited
to the latest studio album WOLVES and BJ’s solo record last year ROCKINGHAM, there was
nothing to fear from the older material which raced to an outstanding first
impression. ‘Casualties’, ‘Jacksonville’
and set closer ‘Abe Lincoln’ all
surfaced from 2013’s BURN.FLICKER.DIE album with the title track off that
record ending a four song sequence of BJ in solo mode. At this point we learnt
of the debt the band pays to Jason Isbell who showed faith in their music at the
moment when they were at their lowest ebb, questioning whether playing to diminishing
barroom audiences was going to be sustainable. Five years on, American Aquarium
is now flourishing and even the ever open BJ proclaimed the length of time he
has kept his own demons at bay.
While the band was in sparkling form, led by new lead
guitarist George Hage and extremely busy multi-pedal steel/keyboard player Whit
Wright, the strength of BJ Barham’s focal presence is the show’s shining light.
Honesty, genuineness, compassion and anger are just a few traits that form this
songwriter which were particularly projected during the solo phase. It was
impossible not to be moved during ‘Unfortunate
Kind’ or believe in the sentiment behind ‘American Tobacco Company’. It was also unsurprising to hear BJ
share his appreciation for Guy Clark and pay respects through a cover of ‘She Ain’t Going Nowhere’.
 |
| Tim Easton |
This full band performance, completed by a rhythm section of
Kevin McClain on drums and bassist Bill Corbin, used every second of the venue’s
ten o’clock curfew, leaving just a short window for the obligatory merchandise
sale. Earlier in the evening, a colleague of BJ from his At The Helm records
connection in the UK – Tim Easton played an entertaining opening half hour set. Hailing from
East Nashville Tennessee and highly motivated by the solitary delivery of
songs, he represented the folk side of the singer-songwriter fraternity, requiring only an
acoustic guitar, harmonica and fistful of songs to share his wealth. Although
for his finale, the excellent ‘On My Way’
from last year’s AMERICAN FORK album, Tim was joined by Whit on pedal steel.
Upon a fond reflection, both during a long winding –multi diverted
journey home and the morning after, it was hard pushed to think of a more
profound and enjoyable gig in the first three months of 2017. There is going to
be plenty of competition from their compatriot big hitters as the year progresses,
but American Aquarium is perfectly equipped to fight their corner. A pristine
sound system was a credit to the venue and justifies Empty Room Promotion’s decision
to continue to utilise the place with such fine acts. Perhaps it was the compelling, intuitive and
sincere presence of BJ Barham that elevated this show into the upper
stratosphere of a busy gig year, but there was certainly something special in
an unfiltered atmosphere to move an audience in a multitude of ways. Welcome to
the UK American Aquarium and welcome back BJ Barham. You will be held to your
word for a swift return.
