The Tall Pines – Live – St Luke’s – redsandpr

Review By Darren McIntyre

Christmas Davis & Connie Lynn Petruk aka The Tall Pines are a garage – rock, southern soul, classic – country, swamp- rock, fuzz- box blues duo who create a unique style of bare bones rock n roll. The Tall Pines are known for their energetic live performances who have played with and shared the stage with the likes of Tav Falco, Steve Earle, Charlie Lovin, Norah Jones, Nikki Lake, Alejandro Escouvedo, Jimbo Mathis, Laura Cantrell, Justin Townes Earle & JJ Gray & Mofro, the duo have given us LP’s The Tall Pines & Skeletons Of Soul, EP’s Black Ribbon & Fear Is The Devil, they have also released 15 singles. Tonight they take to the stage of a rammed St Luke’s to dazzle us with their immersive brand of rock n roll to get us maovin and a shakin, the place is packed as the lights go down and onto the stage comes this enigmatic duo who firstly thank us for coming out early to support live music. The place erupts in a hail of applause as they launch into –

Fire In My Bonez – A real fuzzy blues style guitar oozes from the get go and comes at us with a cool rocking groove as Chris steps forward and gives us a real sultry, dark, brooding vocal that just gets the night up and running, Lynn comes at us with her soulful, melodic tones as she hits the suitcase beat as this cool grooving track wraps itself around us. The cool backing drum beat is just perfect for this setting as the duo really deliver a dark, mysterious beat that has us tapping our feet to this funky, southern soul inspired track as the crowd are nodding their heads in approval as we embrace this fantastic duo who give us what we came for – sludgy, southern, blues inspired rock n roll that is just good for the soul. Chris thanks us and again says it’s wonderful to be in Glasgow as it’s their first time across the pond and boy do they feel the love coming from this packed, excited audience tonight, we roll into –

Love You Better – A sweet, crisp cool guitar lick opens the track as Lynn leans in and brings her melodic vocals as Chris lets rip on the guitar as the punchy backing groove lets the drum kicks breathe. The tambourine shakes really let the track open as the suitcase is getting a real workout tonight, the cool, rasping guitar licks are filling every corner of the venue as Lynn takes the lead and makes the track her own as Chris fills in with soulful, bluesy backing vocals that let us know that this duo will be ones to watch. The tracks are short, sharp and really pack a punch as we feel the energy wrapping itself around us as we stroll into –

Always True – A cool bass kick lets the track come to life as Chris lets rip on the guitar as the fuzzy backplay comes in and really lets us stamp our feet and get into this classy duo as they go through the gears. The sweet, mellow vocals really light up St Luke’s as this killer band give it to us straight, the energy is just awesome as we really dig their groove as they deliver a funky, punchy track that really puts a smile on your face as we just clap along, stamp our feet and really feel the groove wrapping itself around us. We are really letting this duo bring the heat to us which is just awesome as we rock into –

Burt Reynolds Grin – A slick, clean guitar pick comes in as Chris lets his gravelly, blues infused vocals take the lead in this hoe down, country style track that instantly gets you moving as we feel the groove. The tambourine shakes really adds depth to this classy groover track as the duo want us to sing back and we oblige as the place really warms to this killer husband & wife team that write catchy, punchy, toe tapping tracks that just put a smile on your face. The stage is brimming with energy as the duo take us through our paces as they deliver a no nonsense set that is just telling us what this band are all about as we just smile with every track that comes our way, we catch our breathe for a second as Chris chats with us and tells us what an honour it is playing for the fine folk of Scotland which draws a huge cheer as we walk into –

Sister Rose – The backing track kicks in as the smooth, cool guitar strings flow from the stage and really set the scene for this blues infused track that lets Connie really showcase her powerful vocals. Chris is strumming sweetly on his guitar and you really feel the chemistry between the duo as they are so in tune with each other, the sweet, clean chords ease their way through this dark, brooding number as we feel the switch in tempo for this killer track as the tambourine really lets the groove flow. The place is swaying from side to side as the place really gets in tune with this awesome duo as they take us on a journey with them as they hit us with blues, southern soul, sludgy garage fuzz and all stops inbetween. The towering vocals from Connie are just awesome as she takes us through our paces with a real soulful tone that is just on the money. Chris again tells us of another story on their journey as they tune up and take us into –

Up – A cool punchy backing groove comes at us as this toe tapping rock n roller gathers pace as Connie comes in with dark, sultry vocals that just allows the track to breathe. Chris is strumming heavily on his guitar as the place comes to life with this awesome track that just puts a smile on your face for sure, the duo are really enjoying themselves as they really deliver a cool, funky tone that is just on the money. The cool tambourine shakes adds to the track as we are stamping our feet and really getting into this cool duo as they bring their energetic, quirky, blues infused brand of rock n roll that just wraps itself around us as we come to the last track in this diverse, funky, sludgy setlist that has been a real pleasure to watch tonight. This duo are something special and I had a nice chat with them after their set and they were just down to earth and really loved spending time chatting and watching the show.

The Tall Pines  –

                         Christmas Davis  –  Vocals / Guitar / programming

                         Connie Lynn Petruk  –  Vocals / Tambourine / Keys / Suitcase

Setlist  –

            Fire In My Bones

            Love You Better

            Always True

            Burt Reynolds Grin

            Sister Rose

            Up

Yeah –