Concert Review: St. Paul & The Broken Bones
By: Dylan Basden
10 years removed from their debut, Birmingham, Alabama’s St. Paul & The Broken Bones roll into Brooklyn Bowl for a sold-out night of gritty and powerful southern soul.
Out on the road supporting the 10th anniversary of their debut album, Half the City, St. Paul & The Broken Bones have certainly seen some growth in the past decade. A shorter run, this tour will see the band hitting Chattanooga, Nashville, Birmingham, and New Orleans. The band’s evolution from clean-cut, southern ne-soul into a cathartic, scuzzy, psychedelic-infused monster has been a welcomed one by their loyal following, myself include. Not only does this shift add to the band’s recorded catalog, it translates into an incredible night of music with a dazzling cacophony of sounds greeting listeners.
Photo: Dylan Basden
The Broken Bones’ musicianship is a skill that is rarely matched in the live music space. The band is incredibly in sync. Despite feeling more like a jazz group than a rehearsed band, the band plays like a well-oiled machine. Three instrumental jams laced the set, with the latter two having monumental shifts and distinctive highlights of the individual parts of the machine. “Walk Monster,” a staple of the band’s set, sees the band deep in the pocket, with the horn section taking front and center for much of the interlude. A lightning-fired drum solo from Kevin Leon and some deep bass sealed off the jazzier piece tightly. An extended outro of “GotItBad” saw lead guitarist Browan Lollar take center stage with a blistering solo, eventually building up to a dynamic duel between himself and saxophonist Amari Ansari that showcased the band’s incredible ability to play off of one another.
Photo: Dylan Basden
Throughout the night the audience was treated to a ravenous band. Al Gamble, the band’s keyboardist, truly might be the unsung hero of the group. His delicate and feisty dynamic on the keys truly is integral to the band’s sound. The same can be said for Jesse Phillips on bass, the rich groove of the band’s R&B influence would be lost without him. Then there is the horn section, Allen Branstetter on trumpet, Chad Fisher on trombone, and the aforementioned Amari Ansari on saxophone. This trio is the life blood and soul of this ensemble.
The highlight of the night was, of course, lead singer Paul Janeway. Quite possibly a generational vocalist, Janeway’s powerful and soulful belting draws on elements from across the musical landscape; deep rooted soul, classic R&B, and a heavy-handed helping of southern gospel. The latter of those influences finds itself in much of Janeway’s performance, his command of the stage reflects that of a fiery evangelist. A careful balancing act, Janeway’s ability to roar from the softest element in a song into belting fire and brimstone shocks at every turn. Paul is also masterful in how he builds his voice, such as on “Grass Is Greener,” a swelling and cathartic track that weighs down on your chest like half a ton of bricks by the end of it.
The pinnacle of the show came late in the night. After a back-to-back showing of fan-favorite “Apollo” and St. Paul’s latest solo single “Colder,” the band ripped into “Sanctify,” an enormous and soaring sea of noise. Janeway, wrapped in his glittering kimono, serenaded the audience as he split it like the red sea, navigating the pit to eventually make his way to the balcony. Gleaming lights and an emotive peak, Janeway’s appearance amongst the crowd felt simultaneously full of bombast and intimacy.
When all is said and done, St. Paul & The Broken Bones played the entirety of Half the City with a healthy dosage of hits from the rest of their catalog. The only notable exception from the setlist was Angels In Science Fiction, the band’s latest project.
The feelings that are felt during a St. Paul & The Broken Bones’ show can be hard to describe. There is a reason it is called soul music, and even with all the added flair from synthesizers and psychedelia, the root still remains. The introspection and lust for life lingers, Paul Janeway and the band will grip you throughout the night and refuse to let go. This show should be on any music fan’s bucket list.
View the full gallery photographed by Dylan here.