The Fonda Hollywood, CA
Contact: andrew.george@atlanticrecords.com
Web: sambarbermusic.com
Players: Sam Barber, vocals, guitar; Luisa Marion, keys, fiddle, backing vocals; Luc Nyhus, guitar, banjo; Gregory Garner, bass; Kevin McGowan, drums
For close to an hour and a half, breakout singer-songwriter Sam Barber delighted Hollywood fans with early hit singles and most of 2024’s Restless Mind, to this year’s EP Music for the Soul and single, “Burn Me.” The happy and relaxed down-to-earth atmosphere felt refreshingly different for a Friday night in Hollywood.
With a jovial, packed house (after line-ups for blocks to get inside), the evening opened with a smokey, low-lit stage, synth sounds and gentle guitar strumming (after an acoustic guitar/upright bass and lovely falsetto set from Ethan Regan). Kicking things off with “Better Year,” Luc Nyhus opened with a solid guitar solo, backed by the rhythm section, and most of the room singing along. Audience participation continued on “Tear Us Apart” (from 2024’s Twisters), with smooth fiddle layered over beautifully balanced sound. A fiddle/deep bass intro and guitar and fiddle solos on “Run Away High” appeared before the kickdrum transition to a wailing guitar solo.
Hit single, “Man of the Year” added tambourine and punctuated drumming, building to full drumkit drive and great gravel-accented vocals. A slower drum intro on “Thought of You” transitioned to guitar, mournful vocals, and impassioned storytelling. With a powerful contrast of busy lyrical lines against carefully placed individual words, before a guitar/vocal transition to wailing fiddle outro, theatregoers sang along, transfixed.
Follow up songs, “Ramblin’ Man” and “Burn Me” added more singalongs, gorgeous harmonies between Barber and fiddler Luisa Marion (on vocals), twinning guitars and work on the keys. “Lord” delivered a fiddle/guitar intro, while “Restless Mind” (lead track to 2024’s album) demonstrated a brilliant use of varied dynamics, speed, timing and performance intensity.
Returning for an encore, Marion and bassist Gregory Garner shared a suspenseful instrumental track and dark guitar/fiddle duet welcoming Barber back to the stage. Encore closer was “Dancing in the Sky,” with a beautiful guitar/fiddle duet, and stunning soprano fiddle solo. Lights off, phones out, cheers from the crowd; a beautiful evening.
The post Live Review of Sam Barber first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.