Concert Review: Cedric Burnside – Tuning Fork May 10, 2019

Cedric Burnside brought his Mississippi Hill Country Blues to Auckland’s Tuning Fork, kicking off a world tour in support of his album, Benton County Relic.

The blues seems to be having something of a revival at the Tuning Fork…a couple of weeks ago they hosted Larkin Poe for a sold out show, and now Cedric Burnside has pretty much filled the house.

This isn’t Cedric’s first time in Auckland. Way back in the 1990’s he appeared at The Powerstation, playing drums with his grandfather, or as he refers to him, “my Big daddy”, R.L. Burnside.

This time he is out front, although still seated, playing acoustic blues, at least for the first part of the show.

And it’s clear that “Big Daddy” has been a major influence on the 40-year old bluesman, with songs such as Just Like A Woman and Mellow Peaches, formerly staples of the elder Burnside’s set, now finding their way into Cedric’s repertoire.

Also included were a Muddy Waters and a Howlin’ Wolf tune before wrapping up that portion of the show with his own, Hard To Stay Cool, by this time accompanied on slides guitar by Brian Jay.

“Alright, we’re gonna get funkier”, Burnside announced as he set aside his acoustic guitar and strapped on his electric.

At this point Jay moved to the drum kit and the duo kicked into We Made It, the opening track from Benton Country Relic.

This segment of the show focussed on Cedric’s own material, although R.L.’s Goin’ Down South  and Death Bell Blues worked their way in there.

An hour into the show and the two musicians switched places, with Cedric drumming, Brian playing guitar and both men singing.

Immediately, the energy level rose in the room. It was obvious that Burnside feels most comfortable behind the drums…not that his guitar playing was lacking…but songs like Don’t Leave Me Girl and All Night Long, cooked, rather than simmered.

After playing for 90 minutes, and with the clock striking 11pm, Burnside asked, “Can we play one more?”

He immediately ripped in to Shake “Em On Down, an old Bukka White tune recorded by R.L. along with the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion. While Cedric and Brian didn’t quite create the racket of that collaboration, they did send the room full of blues enthusiasts off, homeward  bound…rollin’ and tumblin’.

Marty Duda

Click on any image to view a photo gallery by Ivan Karczewski:

Cedric Burnside set list:

1. Come On In
2. Trying To Get Along
3. Just Like A woman
4. Mellow Peaches
5. Country Blues No.1
6. Down In The Bottom
7. Hard To Stay Cool
8. We Made It
9. I Want You Home
10. I’m Hurtin’
11. Typical Day
12. Death Bell Blues
13. Goin’ Down South
14. Give It To You
15. Don’t Leave Me Girl
16. All Night Long
17. One Cold And Lonely Night
18. Shake ‘Em On Down