Kris Barras’ Hollow Souls – Live – Oran Mor – noblepr

Review By Darren McIntyre

Hollow Souls are a new blues-rock super collective from the brainchild of Kris Barras, who was inspired by the US-led collective Supersonic Blues Machine. Hollow Souls was created as a homegrown jam band as a sparring exercise during Kris’s downtime. From his humble beginnings in Torquay, Devon, to trading licks with Joe Bonamassa and Billy Gibbons on the world stage, Kris has already lived a hundred lifetimes that defy his youth & exuberance. Kris takes his side project on the road and tonight he is getting ready to rip it up at Oran Mor in Glasgow so please join me as I take us on a journey with this tattooed rocker. As he and the band saunter onto the stage, the place erupts in a hail of clapping, hollering and whistling as the band launch into opening number –

Borderline – The awesome cymbal rolls bring the track to life as a funky bassline drops in, and Kris and the band hit us with a soulful vocal introduction that gets the juices flowing. Phoebe Jane lets her soaring vocals lead the charge as this rocking beast rears its head and lets the fine folk of Glasgow feel the heat pouring from the stage tonight; the snare drum punches are echoing through the venue as Kris brings the noodles to this foot-stomping bruiser as the place gets into this killer collective. The vocals are just on the money as Phoebe lets loose and really shows us what she’s made of before Kris lets rip with a searing solo that just lets us know what this outfit is all about. The band are already kicking in the doors and showing us what they are all about as we slip into –

Rock N Roll – The familiar drum groove oozes from the stage as Kris leans in with a rasping guitar lick that lets Phoebe bring her powerful vocal tone to this classic number. The snare drum punches are raining down on us as the cool low end drops in with a real fuzzy, delicious groove that really gives this track depth, swagger and plenty of attitude as the band shifts through the gears and really lets us have it for sure. The slick, cool solo is reaching every corner of the venue as the band really delivers with this epic cover track that has really been beefed up with the addition of the soaring, colossal, sharp vocals that allow her to split the venue into two groups as she asks us to sing along to her cool chorus, which we duly oblige. The cool bass kicks keep the track on course as we roll into –

I Don’t Need No Doctor – There is a real funky, blues groove to this fantastic track as Pheobe brings her incredible, soulful, mellow vocals that just let this track breath. Kris is going back to his blues soaked days with a real slick, crisp guitar groove that really grabs our attention as the punchy rhythm section brings the funk with a solid snare drum beat that has cool bass kicks that let the cymbal snaps control the direction of the track. Kris is front and centre as he really drops in with a sweet, melodic guitar lick that lets us feel like we are in a blues club and hear this incredible six string assault that just catches us off guard. The addition of the Hammond style keys really elevates the track as Josiah lets his fingers do the talking as Pheobe eases through the track with her killer tones that just puts us at ease as we feel the Cleo Lane vibes rolling through the venue as we we catch our breath and Kris & Pheobe both thank us for coming out to support live music which brings a huge cheer from the crowd as we move onto –

into –Tearing Me Apart – Kris chats with us and tells us that he brought with him a little whipper snapper who was at the studio aged about 19 or so, he says she looks younger than she is which brings a huge laugh. Pheobe comes front and centre and unleashes a soulful, blues soaked vocal that lets the boys kick in the doors and hit us with a killer, mellow beat that has us swaying from side to side as we get all warm and fuzzy with this epic rendition, the sizzling keys are littered throughout the track as Josiah lets us feel the blues. The funkinglow end is really giving us meaty, funk laden grooves that wrap themselves around this colossal piece of music that just takes us on a blues journey that is something special on a Tuesday night. Let me tell you, we are rocking through the setlist as we head into –

Rock Me Baby – The tempo kicks up a notch or two as Kris lets rip with a cool, funky guitar lick that lets the rhythm section command the groove of this awesome arrangement. The dark, brooding bassline hits us with a real deep groove that is flowing freely through Oran Mor tonight. The band are really rocking the place as the powering vocals come at us, and we let the good times roll as Phoebe really slices through the track and tells her own story. The rasping guitar licks are on the money as Kris saunters around the stage and rips through a killer solo that just gives this track a slick, edgy feel as we watch the band tear it up. Right now, the place is going nuts for this tattooed bluesman as he lets Phoebe do her thing and let the good times roll as we slip into –

Shotgun – Kris chats about Marv and how he lent his vocals to the track, which draws a huge cheer from the crowd as he introduces us to a cool, gritty guitar riff that really opens the track up. The soothing backing vocals from Phoebe add real soul to this rasping blues rocker. The rhythm section is coming at us with a solid, punchy snare attack as the cymbal punches rain down on us as this foot-stomping monster rears its head; the dark, delicious low end drops in and hits us with a funky, meaty groove that just wraps itself around this colossal brute of a track that is just hitting us punch after punch as we return to the rockier, blues-filled life of Kris and the band. we are getting a little bit of everything tonight as we hit –

Propane – A funky, slick guitar groove opens the track as the epic, delicious low end delivers a real killer beat that lets the track open and soar as Kris leans in with his soulful vocals that really get us moving. The rhythm section is hitting us with a snare drum beat as the bass kicks. Let the tone wander freely through the track as the band settles into its stride as we move freely through the setlist as Kris returns to his bluesy, rasping groove as the soulful, mellow vocals really grab our attention as the soothing backing vocals give the track a real soulful tone as Kris cuts loose on his old guitar and hits us with slick, clean tones that shift the tone a little as he delivers a punchy, groove-laden piece that hits the mark. up next –

Stormy Monday – We go back to our bluesy rock vibe as Kris bursts out a little Gary Moore tribute with a sweet, mellow guitar riff that lets the snare drum punches ease into the track as the cymbal snaps control the groove as it wanders through the venue. Kris lets hir gravelly, rasping, soulful vocals lead the charge as this toe tapping monster builds and builds as the funky, dark low end hits us with a delicious tone that really works in this arrangement. The twin guitar licks are working well with each other as Kris & Josiah drive this blues laden rocker track onwards as we feel the love oozing from the stage tonight as the band go through the gears and give us colossal tune after colossal tune as the snare drum taps fill the air and let this killer track leave it’s mark on the fine folk of Glasgow tonight as we roll into –

Burn It To The Ground – A punchy bass kick lets the track open as we have a clapping tone coming from the stage as Pheobe leans in and brings this phenomenal track to life. The shredding twin guitar assault is ripping through the track as we get our funk on with this blues rocker that lets the snare drum punches lead the charge in this fantastic piece, the slide guitar licks are just insane as Kris rips through the track with sheer precision as the place gets to grips with this foot stomping rocker track that is building and building. The dark, brooding bassline is hitting us with a sultry, delicious tone that is insane as the band powers through the setlist and gives us killer track after killer track as we stroll into –

I Need The Fire – A cool, rasping guitar riff kicks in the doors and lets the killer Hammond keys bring the track to life as the rhythm section brings the heat to this killer piece. Pheobe leans in and unleashes her incredible vocals that instantly lift the track as the crunching groove wanders freely through the arrangement as the band takes it up a notch as the place really takes in the tone of this incredible 5 piece. The cool, mellow low end is just going about it’s business and really giving us a delicious, tone laden groove that just sizzles with ease as the band are nearing full power as they rip into this colossal nwe offering that is just putting a mile on our faces as Pheobe lifts the track with her soaring, melodic vocals that just take the track to another level as we tumble into –

Chasing Ghosts – Kris tells us that he didn’t want to sing lead vocals on this track as he explains about a very personal track that means so much to him. The soulful, gravelly vocals ease through the intro as a smooth, sweet guitar eases into the arrangement as the punchy bass kicks let the rhythm section come to our attention, the snare drum kicks really let the beat build as Kris & Pheobe come together and really cement the colossal vocals on this rather personal number. The cool, funky low end is dropping in and giving us a real dark, brooding tone that works perfectly on this soothing, emotional track that has us all standing silently as we feel the groove easing through the venue, Josiah comes at us with mellow piano tones that let the track breath as we feel the tone linger throughout the track as the sweet guitar licks build and build as Kris cuts loose and really gives it to us straight with a classy, crisp noodle that just allows the track to flow, we have been treated to a real night of blues rock at it’s finest as we stroll into –

My Parade – A deep pounding snare drum beat comes at us as this anthemic beast wakens us with its soulful beat and tone. Bass grooves are dropping killer beats that work their magic as this colossal anthem works well as the crowd really get into it and just do what they do best and bellow at the top of their voices, the track has grit and depth that just shines through as the groove slows to a pounding thud that works well in Oran Mor as the boys drive forwards and bring the crowd into play as they want to hear us sing at the top of our lungs as we really get into the groove with the boys. bass grooves are filling the air as the track just opens and really lets us hear the gravelly tones that are pouring from the stage tonight, Kris breaks the crowd into two sections as he breaks out the chorus and lets the crowd bring the heat as they do battle against each other which works really well as Oran Mor erupts into a full on choir which is just epic, we move to the last track of the evening which is quite sad as we bid farewell to the boys as they hit us with –

Hail Mary – We get soulful backing vocals that really deliver this gritty rocking track at our feet as sweet slide guitar chord linger through the intro. Snare drum punches fill this iconic venue and bring deep bass kicks and awesome cymbal crashes that just lift this killer track that reaaly sets this place alight tonight. Bass grooves are hitting us like a thunderbolt as Paddy brings the groove to get us stamping our feet to this mind blowing riffed beast, vocals are a mixture of gravelly rasping tones and soulful bluesy vibes that really elevate this track as a cool sweet guitar solo slips in and offloadfs with crisp clean licks that are wandering all around this fabulous venue. Cool backing vocals are coming from all the guys as they really put their back into this fantastic opener, the crowd go insane as the boys bring us their infectious brand of rock n roll and we just give back by hollering at the top of our voices, we go into awesome track –

Going Down – A thundering rhythm section leans in with a pounding snare drum kick as the cymbal crashes let the track breath as the oozing low end lets us feel the groove as this monster track brings us to the end of a rousing gig that was something special. The rocking track is giving us all it has as Kris lets rip on the old guitar as we are being entertained to ight for sure as this blues eruption reallt delivers. The sweet, mellow Hammond style kets are littered throughout the track and add tone to this electrifying number as we are standing with a huge smile on our face as we feel the energy pouring from the stage as Kris & Josiah get into a face off with a killer guitar tone that is testing Josiah with it’s intricate licks that just work well in this groove laden beast as the rhythm section commands the room with it’s solid, powering beat that is a real nice way to end this epic gig.

Hollow Souls –

Pheobe Jane – Vocals

Kris Barras – Guitar / Vocals

Josiah J Manning – Guitar / Keys / Backing Vocals

Paddy Blight – Bass

Chris Tilke – Drums

Setlist –

Borderline

Rock n Roll

Bad Things

I Don’t Need No Doctor

Tearing Me Apart