Quinn Sullivan Plays Rockwood Music Hall NYC – Review
Ten years ago, legendary blues artist Buddy Guy brought a young boy onstage to play guitar with him. The boy was Quinn Sullivan and his talent moved Buddy Guy to become his musical mentor.
Over the past decade Quinn has impressed audiences while also gaining experience at his craft. At the age of seventeen, he has already played with musical greats such as B.B. King, Eric Clapton, Keith Richards, Derek Trucks & Susan Tedeschi, Joe Bonamassa, and The Roots. He continues to tour with Buddy Guy while slowly easing into a solo career where he stretches from the blues to pop and rock.
His third album Midnight Highway, dropped at the end of January and debuted at #3 on Billboard’s Blues Chart. My accomplishments at the age of 17 were nowhere near as impressive.
I first saw Quinn Sullivan nearly five years ago when he jammed onstage with Buddy and Jonny Lang. In reviewing the show that night, these were my thoughts about the young guitarist.
“To say the entire crowd was blown away by Quinn Sullivan is an understatement. He didn’t sing at all Saturday night, and watching a few of his videos, I can’t wait until he grows into his voice. Sharing the stage with two guitar greats, he had the attitude any lead guitarist should have…been there, done that, now just shut up and listen. Yeah, he’s that good.”
That was then, this is Quinn Sullivan now
Last night, I experienced just what five years of practice and natural maturation brought to Sullivan’s performance. At Rockwood Music Hall in New York City, Quinn Sullivan opened the Communion Residency. Backed by Colin Bradley on keyboards, bass player Tommy MacDonald, and drummer and producer of Midnight Highway, Grammy winner Tom Hambridge, Sullivan began the set with “Lifting Off,” leaving little doubt this would not be your granddad’s blues show. The song off the new album is a fast pop tune that gets your feet tapping instantaneously.
Next up, a little blues instrumental just to show the band cookin’ it all a bit hotter. While the southern rock sound of the title song may not represent the full expanse of the album’s sound, it sure does represent the life of a musician. “Midnight Highway” lets Sullivan’s voice ride along on that highway, blending a soulful blues feel into the melody.
In our interview a couple weeks back, Quinn talked on his songwriting growth as he experiences more of life. Those life experiences influence his writing and the same can be said for song choices. While musically “She Gets Me” off Midnight Highway sounded great and works on the album, hearing the lyrics live, the song has an older soul feel to it, that doesn’t quite fit with his young age. Conversely, the next song in the set, “Going,” which lists Sullivan as co-writer, is a breakup song that rings more true. It’s sad but realistic with some nice guitar work thrown in.
“Buddy’s Blues” is Quinn’s homage to the man who opened the doors for him. Telling the story of how he first met Buddy Guy, it’s Chicago blues all the way.
The set ended with a cover of Eric Clapton’s “Let It Rain.” Clapton’s signature guitar solo was well done, and it was a nice way to end a rainy night in New York.
Catch Quinn Sullivan on tour with Buddy Guy, and catch Quinn on his own. He’s good now, I suspect he’ll only get better.
Review by Kath Galasso @KatsTheory
Quinn Sullivan website
Onstage Magazine interview with Quinn Sullivan
Related Posts
Latest News
-
Night Wilds continue single releases ahead of 2024 ‘All That Should Have Been’ album drop
Night Wilds are a new band, led by Seattle native...
- Posted December 4, 2023
- 0
-
The James McGowan Ensemble release 16-track inner journey, ‘Reaching In’
The James McGowan Ensemble is a 13-piece group consisting of...
- Posted November 29, 2023
- 0
-
Brooklyn-Austria-based power indie rockers superWAV release aTypical, a heady, bluesy EP
Brooklyn-and-Austria-based power indie rock band superWAV are back with aTypical, a heady,...
- Posted November 28, 2023
- 0
-
California Independent songwriter Patrick Ames releases two new powerful singles
At age 69, Songwriter Patrick Ames Grows Ever More Determined...
- Posted November 27, 2023
- 0
-
Ava Della Pietra’s Latest Single ‘talk it out’ – A Heartfelt Exploration of Emotional Connections
Ava Della Pietra, a name swiftly gaining traction in the...
- Posted November 10, 2023
- 0
-
Open Studio Pioneers a New Era in Jazz with the Upcoming Album ‘Peter Martin & Generation S’
Listen to the album’s lead single, “Groove Echo Chamber” Groundbreaking...
- Posted November 6, 2023
- 0
-
Exploring Connections and Destinies: Rebel Kicks Drop “Past Life” Ahead of ‘somewhere.in.between.’ EP
Rebel Kicks are set to perform at The Cutting Room...
- Posted November 1, 2023
- 0
Like us on Facebook
Latest Backstories
-
The Real Story behind the song, “Mr. Bojangles”
In our continuing weekly series, we examine the backstory...
- September 6, 2023
- 0
-
RIP Robbie Robertson.
Canadian, Robbie Robertson, legendary lead guitarist of “The Band”...
- August 9, 2023
- 0
-
Celebrate Good Times: The Story Behind Kool and the Gang’s Hit Song
If you have ever been to a wedding, a...
- July 12, 2023
- 0
-
Gold Dust Woman: The Story Behind Stevie Nicks’ Signature Song
The song was written earlier in her life in...
- July 6, 2023
- 0
-
Stevie Nicks Honors Tom Petty at Emotional Louisville Show
Stevie Nicks, the High Priestess of Rock and Roll...
- June 28, 2023
- 0
Latest Photo Galleries
-
The Zombies in Nashville, Indiana 10.19.23
The Zombies are one of the most enduring and...
- October 20, 2023
- 0
-
Barry Manilow in Louisville, Review and Photos
If you are a fan of pop music, you...
- August 24, 2023
- 0
-
Post Malone delivers in Indianapolis
Ruoff Music Center was electric as Post Malone brought...
- July 10, 2023
- 0
-
Peter Frampton Rocks the House at the PNC Pavilion in Cincinnati
Peter Frampton is a living legend, and he proved...
- June 29, 2023
- 0
-
The Doobie Brothers Celebrate 50 Years of Rocking Down the Highway
The Doobie Brothers have been on the road for...
- June 29, 2023
- 0
0 comments